Darren.

What everyone said, black crappie!!

Welcome aboard!

Good luck to ya!

All 1000 size Stradics all the time for me! But nothing over 6'6" for me, either.

I hit up Lee Hall Reservoir yesterday... A beautiful day to be on the water. But the wind was pretty wicked. So glad I have a motor . Terrible day for a single bite. Even a nibble. As for dogwoods in my yard, still in the budding stage. Although a slight yellow tinge of pollen was all over my Rav4. Ah yes, springtime in Virginia.

Welcome aboard, Jan!

Welcome aboard, Logan! Trick Worm can be fished, as mentioned above, in so many different ways. Slow and steady, TX. Wacky, weighted wacky, and the list goes on....

I haven't tried it yet, but my eldest son has. He seemed to enjoy the shave, but with the time it took to do so, he gave it up.... Still want to and probably will soon.

Now that's a football! Wow! Awesome catch! Congrats!

Sounds like you have plenty of advice, so I'll just offer a welcome aboard to the forums, Jamey!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! if you want guesses, there should be something to compare it to - rod, your shoes (and size), something! Even better, invest in a scale!

I'm just...Darren. Simplicity, no guessing, my name.

Welcome aboard, Tim!

Welcome aboard, Derek!

After a nice hot day on the water (hot temps, that is) and only at home, I might down a Bud Light Platinum. If I've made a run to Total Wine, it might be some Yeti, or other tasty stout brew. Or some cab or merlot. Maybe.... But on the water, bottled water, and coffee.

Uncle Homer was a guy I learned from. RIP. https://www.igfa.org/Museum/HOF-Circle.aspx

This is a neat solution.

Awesome catches!

I've commented on this in several threads. You'll get a lot of "why" and "it doesn't make sense" replies, but it does work very well so long as you use a light wire hook for easy penetration into the bass's mouth. I use this method, also learned from Gary Senft, on most of my drop shot rigs. I've caught a lot of bass and saltwater species with no losses. It really works well for me. You have to use the right stops. There are colors indicating larger line use. I use black stoppers and bought a couple packs of these off Amazon.

I've got those, too. My air horn needs replacing. I like to have multiple safety items on board. Never been necessary as I fish electric-only reservoirs, but when I'm in big water I want them handy. I stick close to shorelines, too.

When I bought my setup at Appomatox River Co here in VA, the method used to determine proper length of a paddle was for me to stand straight, lift up my arm next to a paddle and bend my fingers over it. If I could do so at the middle finger joint, it was perfect. With wider kayaks today, this doesn't always work perfectly. You don't want to be scraping the sides, esp. if you have short arms. A longer paddle will help. And as for bright paddles being a waste of time, that is an entirely subjective statement. A flag is great, but if you're standing up and not being recognized, having something else to flail could be useful since you're above the flag visibility line of sight. Pick your tool...LOL. My paddles are white. I like black, too. In fact, I'm rarely using a paddle given I motor everywhere. And those who use pedal boats are not using paddles. So yeah, a flag first for visibility, but if a paddle helps you feel safer there, then go for a hi-vis color. If they're not seeing you, blow your horn. You have one, right?

Nope. Some of mine are budding....

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!