I brought a whole frozen carp for bait about 10 years ago. I took it out the night before, thinking it would defrost enough but noticed it was still rock hard when I got to the parking lot. I had to chisel away at it with my pocketknife in order to get it to break into 4 pieces. The stench was unbearable as all the little pieces of carp guts that I was covered in defrosted. Sometimes I swear I can still smell the carp stench on my PFD

Outdoor Pro Shop in Rohnert Park had a good supply when I was there a few weeks ago...

Instead of adding weight to my new set of Ambush nets, I swapped the 3x5 red float out for a much smaller piece of pool noodle.  Not sure why they attached such a large float to keep 3 floating lines afloat?

It will be the first time I've used the normal crab buoys, instead of my 2Liter home made ones.  I always use a main line, and then a 15ft buoy line.  My main line is weighted, so it sinks the extra of line for my buoy, but unless the swell is very high, I dont think it will affect my pot because there is more than enough travel for swells to pass without straining the main line.  But will see how it works out with the new crab floats.  I really liked my old ones, as I had weighted the buoys so that they stand straight up.  Can see my buoys vs. others from far away.

I think you can still use your home-made floats, just need to add markers. New regs state main buoy needs to be at least 5" x 11" - doesn't state any other specifications

I'll try using some lead too but I feel like I never know how deep my line is unless I'm hitting bottom or happen to see it on the FF. I got a fancy Davis Instruments Fish Seeker diver that claims to dive pretty accurately so figured I would give it a try

Palomar knot has never fail me for the stinger hook. It's quick and effective!

Palomar is always my go-to knot for the stinger hook as well

I just got my first fish finder and installed it on my kayak a few months ago but have been overly cautious about damaging the transducer when launching/landing and transporting (car top).  The transducer (Lowrance 50/200) is slightly recessed (1/2") in my OT Salty but I'm just not sure how durable transducers are when scrapped against sand and gravel.  Is it ok to run it up on sandy landings or loose gravel? I made a transducer cover out of a beer koozie for transporting but not sure if it is necessary. Anyone have any insight on transducer durability and what to avoid, besides the obvious jagged rock landings?