Here at KeepinIt Reel I strive to do just that. There's a lot of BS in the fishing game so keep your waders on. The purpose of this channel is to strive to learn, understand, test and apply largemouth bass fishing techniques. I'll be reviewing all things fishing related and providing as much first person fish catching action as the bass allow.
I am a poor, disabled fisherman. When I saw the Rapala Balsa Xtreme Swimmer at Bass Pro Shops in the Perch pattern I had to buy it. And for me to spend $18 on a lure is saying something. Since my income is limited I normally don't spend that much on a lure. For me its a numbers game. If I would have bought 2 $9 lures I would have twice as many and that's a good thing. Different colors so I can match the hatch so to speak. But it looked so good I had to have it. But when I got it home I was so disappointed. I have always loved Rapala lures because of the history and the quality. But there were 2 pieces of plastic attaching to front of the lure to the back. Obviously this is how they are made and someone did not take them off like they were supposed to. So that also told me there is no way this was tank tested like Rapala claims their lures are. Unless the person doing that the day this was made was blind. And it made me said to think that Rapala would allow this to slip through. I always felt they were better than this. I was able to remove them and clean up the plastic so it works just fine. But I shouldn't have to when I paid $18 for a lure. I messaged Rapala to tell them about this, not to get anything from them but to make them aware of it and I never heard from them. Maybe I expected to much. But I always had Rapala so high on a pedestal because of their quality, I was disappointed in them. Since they moved their manufacturing to another country I had gotten a number of defective lures from them. They are not what they used to be. But is it a stunning looking lure? Absolutely. Am I mad that I bought it? No. But I am disappointed in Rapala. I will continue to buy their lures because they work and are good looking lures . I just hope I stop getting blems from them. Sorry this got so long but I wanted to share my experience with this lure. I have not caught anything on it yet. But I know it is just a matter of time.
Just spitballing here on the coated vs non coated braids... I currently have a non coated braid on a spinning reel and , while it usually works great, occasionally it goes where it shouldn't on the reel.. loops over or under the spool, etc.. I wonder if a coated braid with a little more rigidity would be less prone to do that? I'll test this theory on my own next time I spool up this particular reel, just wanted to throw it out there to see what other folks think.
Browsing big bait bass videos & came across this guy! U had some great videos with big baits in the past 👍 This was another good 1....not a big winter fishing guy, buy i may give big soft swimbaits a shot this coming winter....if it's not windy, it can be decent on a winter day...liking that 8" keitech...Big swimbaits/glidebaits are just too cool of baits! Can't get enough
I don’t know if my friends are gonna see this- but this reel is going on clearance at my local shop for sub 150 (truth be told I get an employee bonus discount) but I’m extremely excited to soon get my hands on this as it would be FIRST low profile musky reel
Thanks for your post. My 24 lb thrust Watersnake (very light) pushes my 14" Hornbeck at 4.4 mph and my 34 lb Newport, which feel like it weighs twice as much as the Watersnake, only gives me a top speed of 4.4. The difference, the Newport hacks through the weeds much better. Power comes from a 50AH lithium battery.
Did you have to reduce the length of the 36" shaft at all on the 45#? I'm trying to decide between a 30# w/ 30" shaft or 34# w/ 36" shaft for my 14' SportPal (pointed, so using the transom/motor attachment), and my main concern is the shaft being too long (so will either have to have to prop deeper in the water, or the handle really high up)?
Hey. I have a raddison canoe. Light. Canoe. My current motor is like 20 max. Slow. But it moves decent. I’m wondering if I should get a 45 or a 50 thrust? I won’t use top speed all the time just getting across the lake. And yeah. My lithium battery I got now I only use not even 50% on a full day. Help pkease
Great video! However you can also try the video "changing ribs in a Sportspal/Radisson canoe" by Gettenany Outdoors. Its less tear on the foam mat and less stress on the Hull.
The Lews BB-1 is an awesome reel! I have over 100 baitcasters, and it is tied for best caster with my Gen 2 Revo Premier! No Daiwa is in my top 10, although their build quality is too notch. I prefer my Bb-1 over my BB-1 Pro. My all time favorite reel is my Antares AR!
Yeah, I have the foam blocks and while going down the highway one came off! Almost lost the canoe. It wasn’t the freeway but it was a fast wide boulevard. We had to circle back around and get it, then re-fasten the canoe down and it was fine. But yes, I agree, I need to get some specialty brackets for hauling a vessel on my 2001 Ford Expedition luggage rack. I don’t want to pay for them so I I’ll probably just make my own (I’m a woodcraftsman and am used to building much of my own aftermarket products).
Another thing I don’t like about a kayak (at least for myself) is that there’s a lot of wasted (inaccessible) space. For the sport of “kayaking” I suppose that doesn’t matter. But like you, I want to fish, not sport kayak.
Looks like a great boat and set up. I just got a 15 & 1/2ft plastic canoe with molded plastic bolt-on seats (3). Don’t know what kind, it says model WQ156 on a label inside. I’m going to install (my own design, when I can come up with one) outriggers with stabilizer floats so that I can make it a sailboat as well. I like Bermuda (main and jib) sail plans so I’ll probably go with that. I’m in Oklahoma and we have Eufaula lake here and it’s very big. I’ve heard it’s one of the biggest man-made lakes in the world! So where I can use the wind rather than fuel or electricity I will. I’m a sailor anyway (got a - somewhat derelict - Jason 35) so raising sails is always a thrill for me. But yeah, your vessel and rig looks great, thanks for sharing.
I don't think that will work. The metal ribs that span the entire canoe are held in place, partly, due to the compressive pushback that the foam provides. Without it I think the ribs would dislodge pretty readily. Also, for what it's worth it's nice to have the foam as it offers a stealth factor of you, your gear, etc not making noise against a hard bottom.
Thats awesome explanation. Knew how they worked but never thought of how the centrifugal pressure moved the cup out. Bad ass. Miss ya videos bro. Hope everythj g is good with ya
It’s because the fibers are shorter, that’s what’s giving it the soft supple feel. Technically for spinning tackle you don’t want soft supple lines that soft, supple line cuts into the real wraps and it also wraps around the rod tip. You should look into something that stiffer like fins, windtamer, or any of the four carrier lines. Now I like the smoother lines, but the soft supple thing gets taken out of context. There’s also newer fibers like is izanas compared to the old specter fibers. It’s all different stuff.
Your very kind Andrew. If by 'a while', you mean FOREVER, then you are correct! haha. I'm still out there, still have multiple cameras going, but not on the water quite as much as in years past. Moreover, I always have making new videos on my mind, I just have a hard time finding time to sift through hours of footage and editing (as simple as mine is....it takes me forever). I plan to get back into things in terms of new content with some reviews of products that I've been testing for a few years actually....real long-term stuff. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment...reach out. I love the community that having a RU-vid channel provides and miss the more regular interaction. Tight lines man and all the best.
New sub. I found one of these Black Dog lures on a chain link fence a few months ago (2023). Haven't used it but after watching this vid, taking it out to try it tomorrow. Good videos; quality and quantity.
I came here as I am looking to buy a Sportspal. I found so much more! What a great channel. Real (reel) reviews of equipment, amazing cinematography and a dose of great fishing with respect to the fish that are caught. I'm hooked
Thank you SO much. Appreciate the feedback. You'll quickly see that I haven't put up anything in a long time (over a year!). It's not for lack of wanting to.....just busy. But, yes...please reference my library of videos. What I lack in quantity I like to think I make up for in quality. Everything is long format, but many vids I put quick links in the description to shoot you right to the part/topic that you want. Thanks again and tight lines!
0 seconds ago What an amazing journey. I loved the insight and hearing your thoughts on catching this giant. Congratulations, really. You put in the work. I know it’s been 5 years now, but like you said, this is a story of a lifetime and will be talking about it as long as you live. I can’t wait to check out your other vids where this is only the second one I’ve seen from you. The first being a review of this PB shellcracker G2 bait. Hoping you’ve maybe cracked an 8 since then, haha, but if not, a 7-15 has got to have kept you extremely satisfied and content. Thanks for sharing!
I happen to be right here in front of my comp, so I'll fire back a quick "thank you!". Its crazy how time flies, as it doesn't feel like it was that long ago. I have a mount of that fish that I see....I mean I really stop and take in each and every day. I yearn for another giant like it....of course even a little larger. But, even 5 years later that fish still leaves me content and having scratched my giant northeast bass itch. There was a time where I uploaded "semi" regularly, but as you can see thats been a while. I like to think of my videos as volumes in a library...hopefully useful and entertaining, even if not new. I hope to get more content up as I am always recording and have terabytes of clips saved. So many cool products....so many good fish catching moments, but so little time (to edit). Thanks again for watching and taking the time to leave the comment/feedback. Much appreciated. Tight lines and best of luck for your own new PB.
Excellent video Carl, a wealth of information that helped me look at this canoe instead of a fishing kayak. Even so many years later this is still excellent information, there are several other canoe options out there like the Isquif Mallard XL but at a higher cost, heavier weight or less cargo capacity. The Sportspal 14 footer checks all the boxes for me, one question I have is whether to get the pointed or square stern? I would like the ability to paddle it a little if needed or as you do, stand up and paddle to site fish but I will mostly move around with a 40 lbs Minn Kota trolling motor. For those who have tried the different models, how much stability do you give up with the square stern? How is the steering with the motor behind you on the square stern instead of beside you with the pointed? Thanks
Hi Philip. Thank you sir. Regarding your questions.... I actually have both. The 14ft double ended you see here and a 15ft square stern (you can see it in some of my latter videos). I rarely paddle either one, so I can't comment on difference there (but it wouldn't be a fair comparison anyway as the 15ft model is substantially bigger/heavier). I can tell you that its a heck of a lot more convenient having the trolling motor on the side mount used for the double ended model vs the square stern. Reaching directly behind you gets old quick and you do quite a bit of it as canoes need a fair amount of correction when your covering big water. Conversely, I can't say exactly the loss, but having the side mount isn't as efficient as having the motor directly inline as with the square stern. You actually have to put a little "english" on the direction of the trolling motor on the side mount/double ended canoe to keep thing going straight and correct for the fact that its offset. Also, if there is any chance you may be inclined to put a small gas outboard on it...of course the square stern is the choice. Overall I prefer the side mount/double ended model. Whatever inefficiency is incurred by the motor offset, is more than made up for IMO by the ease of access to to vs directly behind you.
Dude....its killin me. This is my creative outlet and not being able to engage in it is stifling. I'm doing well, but time for videos is in super short supply. Hence the no uploads. You wouldn't think it based on my lack on activity, but it is CONSTANTLY on my mind. Thank you for taking the time to drop the comment and inquire though dude. Appreciate it! Tight lines to you this year!
Bit late to the party here, but i have to say, hats off because that is an excellent review of the product. Every question answered in my book. Keep up the good work👍
Brother I came to tell you Thank You!!! You motivated tf out of me! I got a 23"L 16.5"G 7+lbs(no scale with me) here in NY and hr north of the city in Dec. Not only did I catch her once but twice 2 weeks apart. First on a Magdraft then on a 6th Sense Provoke. You gave me the hope and motivation after watching your vids and this one in particular. And to start the yr off I got a 22" 6.8lbs on Monday. Every year is a quest for at min a 5'er, now I have to work harder to beat that before the end of the year lol. Had to share the news and again Thank You for re-igniting the flame of passion for the hunt! Tight lines Brother, I pray you beat your PB!!!
Oh man! Your very welcome and let me say THANK YOU for taking to time to share your story. So happy that the video gave you motivation. That can be a tricky resource when pursuing giants, and we all need a shot in the arm from time to time to keep us focused and in the game. BIG congrats on that 6.8lb'er!! I'm hoping to get into a fish like that this pre spawn, (or better, of course :) ) The year is young so lets both think big and visualize that new PB coming. Can't hurt, thats for sure. haha
