Darren.

Welcome back, Chris!

He lived a loooong life. RIP, Lefty.

6# leader line attached to 10 or 15# braid mainline.

Works everywhere for me Just in weeds, it'll need cleaning ....

Wow, expensive. Can't help you there. But welcome to BR!

In addition, I use my 1000 Stradics in salt. And like @desmobob I just rinse them well with fresh water afterward. I caught a 3# red in a creek of the York River here. Can't wait to sink into a big 'un. Caught some nice striper as well (all on 1000 Stradics)

@Sam knows the drill here in VA! From him I learned about the dogwoods and spawn.

Welcome aboard! $75-100 you can pretty much count on Shimano and Daiwa in those ranges. I'd add Pflueger to the mix, too. As for "finesse", I don't believe there is a "finesse" reel specifically. You can finesse with any reel, it's all in how you fish it. I use 1000 size Stradics for *all* of my bass fishing. They have never once come close to being spooled, and I've caught dozens of bass over 6#. If I've needed extra drag with a particularly feisty fish I use my palm to help.

Welcome aboard, @leBassNewbie!

Good work!

It will do the trick for you. I use it on my cork rods, including a St. Croix Legend Tournament. Keeps it in good shape.

Welcome aboard! Pelican yaks are fine. I started with one bought at BJ's Wholesale many moons ago. It served me well and taught me things that I wanted in a fishing kayak which it did not provide. Namely, ability to stand and fish - and stability. Thus I upgraded to a yak that provided that for me. The model you list above is a sit IN kayak, and while I know many use them and love them for fishing, I do not. I prefer a sit ON kayak. However, the model I have today is actually a hybrid kayak/canoe but has a very open cockpit unlike a sit-IN yak. That's personal. I won't take away what people love about sit IN yaks, just stating my preference.

Awesome! With snow still on the ground

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Congrats! A very respectable PB!

Sand! That's an idea I haven't heard before. Then again, I haven't used them in the salt yet (for striper). Probably all the striper fisherfolk here in VA know that trick. I'm new to the striper game. I scoffed at my buddy who offered me his rag when I caught my first eel in one of the reservoirs I frequent. That was a mistake. Mistake yet to be repeated. Sand is a great idea.

Man, some feisty little nuggets on this thread, LOL. It is a "theory", after all My local reservoirs here in VA have an abundance of the slimy critters. I've caught some. Too many!

Welcome back and...nice jeep. Long a dream of mine and my boys.

Congrats on your choice. Good one. I balk at "best" threads a little because "best" is a very subjective thing when it comes to kayaks. There are so many variables at work including body size, balance, weight (yak and human), types of water, scuppers or not, and so many more. That's why many of us recommend demo days and if those can't be done, at least a dry sit in at the store, which is what I did. Clearly you did your research and I think you'll be very happy. So "best" of luck to you

Yellow is my fav for this very issue. 10 and 15# tests. It makes a substantial difference in visibility for me.

Welcome aboard! 1000 is my preferred bass fishing reel size I'd drop to a 500 for UL...

Welcome aboard! Yup, wired backwards most likely (on the battery).

Welcome aboard, Mark! Salute!