Darren.

Unfortunately I cannot help as I've got not experience with either. But I can welcome you to the forums!

Welcome aboard! Richmond guys to the rescue! I can tell you every reservoir on the Peninsula has plenty of pickerel! Caught some mighty nice ones in my time on the water.

Welcome aboard! A little more info needed. What is your price range? We can go all over the price map here. I can recommend MHF give your range, and the size differences between bass, snook, and tarpon. Most will suggest something in the 7' range. You could probably go with a Med XF St. Croix which will be somewhere between a M and MH.

Welcome aboard! Beast of a bass in your pix!

Welcome aboard!

Great balls o' brownies! Those are nice chunks. So wish they populated waters I fish....

I saw those, but have none of 'em.

Nice! And let's be honest. Who *really* cares WHERE you caught it! I mean, look at all the guys who go to Mexico in hopes of a PB!! Count me among those with a Florida and Mex bucket list for a double digit PB!

I'll be honest. I like roboworms. I like how they look, how they feel, how they look in the water. But I just don't catch a lot of fish with them. That they make a Ned worm is cool, and I might buy a pack to try 'em out, but the TRD works for me fabulously, so I'll likely stick with them.

Welcome aboard!

Absolutely not! But I always run my fingers over my leader to feel for any nicks if I've come through some cover. If there are any, I run over again with my fingernails as sometimes it feels like a nick in the line but it's just detritus attached to the line. I will cut the leader if there's a lot of abrasion after a catch, retie then. But like Brian (@Team9nine) I can go many catches before a retie.

That was a fanTAStic game tonight. Absolutely fantastic. Sorry Pats fans, but tis what it is. Awesome Foles showed up tonight, and the Eagles D showed up when it needed to. Tough breaks, but Tom isn't retiring, so there's always next year.

Welcome aboard!

Fantastic, @Glenn! Hank fan, myself, so looking forward to the show. Sadly, I don't get the Outdoor channel, so hopefully he'll allow you to post the episode on BR for the rest of us??

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Roxanne! I would say great policy in any water no matter the temp

Welcome aboard! I have 5 Stradics, and if I picked today, I'd get the CI4+. One difference between me and a lot of folks is I prefer to use smaller reels - 1000 size. Given the lightness of the CI4+, longer rods will be more tip-heavy. I use rods from 5'9" to 6'6" with 6' being the current sweet spot for me. St Croix is probably my favorite brand in your price range. As you're discovering, we are going to be all over the map in terms of recommendations and what *we* each like over other brands. So best advice is to get to a Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc., and find some rods and reels that catch your fancy. Our recommendations are great starting points for both. Put the reel you like on a rod you like and see what you think in terms of how it balances in your hands. Does it *feel* right, or just OK? Try another rod, try another reel, and so on. I did this at Bass Pro years ago. I went in all set on particular brands, but left with completely different gear. Been pretty happy since.

Congrats! May your time there be awesome!

Kudos to you, mate! There are some excellent brands in the $99 range, NRS Chinook (mentioned above), I wear the BPS branded Ascend life vest. Previous version to the one I'm linking to here: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ascend-paddling-fishing-life-jacket-1508311300-1 They look virtually identical, but I think mine has a larger back. Anyhow, basically a knock off of the Stohlquist Fisherman PFD (on sale at Austin Kayakfor $89.99) You don't have to spend a mint to get a good vest that will save your life. I think you'd be happy with any suggested thus far.

Topwater fishing. But I can do it seated, it is just much easier when standing to point the rod tip down for the retrieve.

Welcome aboard! I was like you, caught LOTS of bass and other fish with spin casters. In fact, I preferred under spin reels! Still do, for guests and so forth. I say go for it! You refurbish 'em, fish 'em, and catch 'em Thread Revival!!

Rob, have your friend read a bit of this article about an FLW pro who uses nothing but spinning. He goes way heavier than I do - fishes different techniques. https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

You've got two threads going for the same thing, then. Did you not find an answer in this one for the Pflueger? As for the $175 combo, look around for a ML rod in the $100 range like a Carbonlite, Veritas, etc., and grab a Sahara as @WRB suggested, or a Pflueger President, Daiwa Legalis...all solid in the sub-$100 range.

This is what I do, as well, as much as possible.

Welcome aboard! Great catches, man!