Stasher1

If you're looking to get started for cheap, check out the Eagle Claw "Granger XG" in a 9' 7/8 wt. (I know, I know, just ignore the brand name for a minute). You can pick them up for less than $40 and they are very highly regarded cheap rods. Google it and you'll find nothing but positive reviews, many from people used to using much higher-priced gear. I have one and honestly prefer the way it casts over the Sage I replaced it with. Granger 9' 7/8 wt. on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/9-GRAPHITE-FLY-ROD-7-8-WT-FIGHTING-BUTT-NEW-WARRANTY-/110520364687?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19bb86ee8f For an inexpensive reel, take a look at the Okuma "Airframe 7/9". It's not exactly a high-end reel, but it has the same drag as Okuma's nicer reels and is butter smooth. It's a large-arbor graphite and stainless reel so it'll work for bass or light saltwater, and is also a fairly well regarded inexpensive product. Okuma has replaced the Airframe with a new model called the Cascade (appears to be the same reel), so the Airframe can be found for dirt cheap. Airframe on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Okuma-Airframe-7-9-reel-/110421790161?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19b5a6cdd1 That seller has them for $15 plus shipping, but they have been accepting offers of $10. I have a Granger/Airframe combo as a backup/loaner setup, and wouldn't hesitate to grab it off the rack right now and hit the local lake. As a matter of fact, if my Granger had been a 4-piece model, I probably wouldn't have even bought the Sage.

I don't keep gear very long, so for the most part my "older" gear is no more than 3 years old. The only exceptions are a couple vintage fly reels, but they were bought recently. They have been well used, but not by me.

I think about him every time I see somebody post brand new gear for sale. ;D

Are there a lot of Swedes in Korea? ;D

What's your budget? Fly rods range from $20 to the absolute limits of your bank account...and beyond.

Or this one... http://www.rat-l-trap.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_images.tpl&product_id=15&category_id=19&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=89 I've had a "Spin Trap" in my lipless box for a couple years now but I think I've only thrown it once or twice.

Power Pro can be rather obnoxious coming through certain guides. The Fuji titanium-frame SiC guides that were on my BPS Johnny Morris rod were the worst I've heard. I wonder how much of that racket is transmitted back down the line and into the water for our little finned friends to hear? It seems as though it would work like the old "telephones" we used to make out of tin cans and a piece of string.

If green sunfish routinely reached 3-4 lbs, nobody would fish for bass.

It'll soften up with use and get noticeably quieter.

x2 Or a good 20-30# braid, like Power Pro.

That's because Simmons has an actual retail store and is an authorized dealer for the brands they carry. They have to follow the MAP policies of the brands they carry. You have to keep an eye out for their sales on discontinued gear if you're looking for a bargain.

Baitcaster: Quantum Tour PT PTC6106FKV http://cgi.ebay.com/QUANTUM-TOUR-PT-PTC6106FKV-610-MED-HVY-BAITCAST-ROD_W0QQitemZ310200892573QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item483969fc9d Spinning: St. Croix Avid AVS68MXF

Roughly $20 each with the base of your choosing or slightly less without a base. I buy mine from Hook1 because their service is absolutely fantastic and their prices are typically pretty good, but Scotty rod holders run about the same price regardless where you buy them. If you're looking to save a buck or two and don't mind boring a couple holes in your new toy, you can pick up a couple of these for less than the price of one Scotty... http://kayakfishinggear.com/flushmountrodholder-90degree-sealedbottom.aspx or http://kayakfishinggear.com/sea-dogflushmountrodholder-angled-sealedbottom.aspx Just make sure you have the necessary clearance BEFORE you start to cut. I had factory rod holders in the rear deck of mine but I covered over them with the 344's. I like the security of the Scotty rod holders and prefer to keep my reels up away from the water if I can help it.

In before the lock... ;D

I use a couple of the #350 Rodmaster II's, the #280 baitcaster/spinning holder, a couple #254M extenders, a couple of their #344 flush mounts and a #241 deck mount. If you buy your gear from some place like Hook1, you can mix and match rod holders and bases to suit your particular needs. There's only one #350 Rodmaster shown in the pic below, but that's all I needed on that outing. For tackle storage I use an older version of the Plano guide series. It holds four 3600-series boxes and I can mix/match boxes to suit my needs. It fits inside the yak, between my knees or I can push it forward to get it out of my way. Toss a couple 32 oz. water bottles and a bilge sponge behind the seat and a cheap take-down paddle in the rear hatch (just in case ), and I'm good to go.

I'd have no problem eating bream, crappie, bluegill, etc., but I find the thought of eating bass repulsive. To me, it's almost like eating a dog or something. I know it doesn't make any sense at all, but that's the way I feel.

x2 This rod is much more "stout" than the numbers indicate. I use mine for t-rigged soft plastics and small jigs in light cover instead of my MH baitcast setups. I would go with the AVS69MLXF over the AVS70MLF, but that's just me. I prefer rods in the 6'8" to 6'10" range for most applications.

Ebay is the first place I go to for reels. As long as you buy from an established seller with lots of positive feedback and pay via Paypal, you should be fine. I've bought some rods on ebay as well, but I don't recommend it unless you already have some experience with that particular rod.

My local WM's had them at that price 2-3 months ago.

I have a Curado 200e7 and a Pflueger Patriarch and I'd pick the Patriarch over the Curado any day.

I keep a 6'6" MF two-piece Triumph spinning rod in my trunk for those spur of the moment fishing opportunities. It's not a bad rod for the price, but I'd look for something with better sensitivity for dropshotting.

If you handle the 6'8" MXF Mojo next to the same power/action Avid, the Mojo will feel "whippy" and soft in the tip. That's neither good nor bad. It just depends on what you're looking for and what feels good in your hand. If they offered that length/power/action in the Premier or Triumph lines, I'd buy one to keep as a loaner.

Believing Bill Dance. Those stupid Dancin' Eels are worthless. I don't think you could even catch grass with them if you cast one out onto the lawn.

No, not generally. In some cases the blank is warranteed against manufacturing defects by the manufacturer, but it's up to the builder whether he wants to warranty the parts/labor that went into building it. Which means, you may receive a new blank but you're still out of pocket for the cost to rebuild the rod.

There is a slight difference in the shape of the hook, in the curve. http://www.orientsun.co.kr/WormHook Due to the shape of the curve, I find it slightly more difficult to get the worm perfectly straight on an offset O'shaughnessy than a "standard" offset round bend.