Darren.

Welcome aboard, Bryan!

Welcome aboard!

Just FYI, I did not know this, there's now a Titan 12, and it's just started shipping this month. Fully rigged is 138 pounds So 10.5, 12, and 13.5... http://nativewatercraft.com/product/titan-propel-12/

Welcome back!

I rescind my previous comment that'd I'd "probably" opt for the PA12. Been watching vids of the Titan 10.5 and holy cow it looks awesome and almost perfect for what I would want to use it for. Would be a tough decision w/o testing each. I bet Hobie would do well with a PA 10.5, eh? Not to mention cost: 10.5 $2499 vs PA12 $3399

https://nativewatercraft.com/product/titan-propel-10-5/

Here's one fix:

I'd be rich if I knew the answer Do you drop shot? Ned rig? Wacky? Just three choices to add. Caught my PB of 7.5 and a mess of bass over 6# on wacky rigs.

I've heard that about the drive, and also heard Hobie has fixed that in 180 2.0. But I agree, that should have been vetted and tested to the extreme before release. Have you done the fixes that are out there? (Paracord, etc.)

First, congrats on getting a tax refund - at all - let alone big enough for one of these boyaks (Boat-Kayak)!! I haven't had a refund in going on 20 years. That said, I have only sat in the PA12, and really like the new 180 Mirage drive. The Titan is getting some rave reviews as an absolute beast, as well. You'd have to take your pick as to whether you want the complete pedal motion or the push-push of the PA12 and the extra reach to go into reverse. If I were to drop the $$ today, I'd probably opt for the PA12 although I would like to at least sit in the Titan to be certain. Not sure I'd drop to the 10.5' tho. And I'm 5'7". It would be more maneuverable though. I currently have a Native Ultimate 12 which is super stable, and is motorized, so I've got a pretty comfy rig, but not as much storage options as either PA or Titan.

Welcome aboard! Plenty of CA folks on the forums that will chime in with some advice. Good luck!

I have a very healthy fear of big water in my kayak. In part because it's a hybrid with no scupper holes. Secondly, I don't trust other boaters. Too many times I hear boasts from people around about how many beers they or their buds threw down on a fishing trip, etc. I don't want to be a dent in their hull. Now that I'm also fishing in salt, I do venture out a little more than I have in fresh. That said, I try to stay close to shore and out of the boat channels as much as possible. If I see a boat coming I try to get out of the way as quickly as I can.

Welcome aboard! I have no experience with the CL 2 rods other than hands-on in-store. That said, I've got the earlier black and white models in both casting and spinning from Medium to one MH. The MH is great for jigs, TX rigs, and so on. You'll get a lot of use out of it.

I bought a similar batt at Batteries Plus locally for my 30 pound thrust MinnKota on back of my kayak. I can go for hours! Never been depleted yet. Methinks it'd do what you need.

From what I have used, I like Gamma Edge the best. Since I don't have a money tree, I've only tried a limited number of brands (Berkey, Gamma, BPS, and a few others). Guess for me, since I only use it for leaders, I'll never try many. Esp. since I get pretty equal results with Yo-Zuri Hybrid...

I'm thinking it's in the 9-10+ range, Mitch. That thing has a 5 gallon bucket for a mouth!

Welcome aboard, Mitch! I think you need to fix your PB stats in the side column That beast ain't between 0-1lbs!!

Back in the day I liked to explore very old, abandoned farm houses, including one that was probably ready at any moment to collapse. Ah the dumb things I did as a lad... But advice above is good, find others, and be safe! Now someone should organize a BR trip to Chernobyl! We could hire Jeremy Wade as our day-time guide and fish during the day, then have the Ghost Hunters team guide us for night time building exploration, LOL.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Todd!

@Will Wetline, fantastic ties. I started tying bucktails for striper fishing this past (late) fall. I can tie a great weed guard, but I've tied maybe one good bucktail. Can't get a good, clean tie at the jig head. Always have bucktail peeking through. A work in progress, but you give me hope!!

The Storm shads work great here for striper. I have fished at night. I don't have any gear for long surf casting from a beach. But what I look for is dock pylons, bridges, etc. Here's something that may help ya. I'm studying it, too as I'm trying to learn the tidal flows, where fish are most likely staging, etc. http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/177314-reading-the-water-again/ Odd, I was just reading the posting there a couple days ago and the pictures were showing. They're not now - at least for me they aren't. Hope they work for you. Very informative.

Welcome aboard, Peggy!

I'd have responded sooner but I was finishing the trophy presentation of the Australian Open! Roger Federer is a class act and amazing champ. I'm a huge tennis fan if you can't tell. Really like my MLF Premier that I use for soft plastics. It's a 6 footer that I shortened to 5'9" for close quarter fishing (under low bridges, in the sticks, skipping, etc.), but I use it in open water all the time, too. That stick runs $120, PS60MLF. I like the Carbonlites, too, but haven't tried the new ones which are $120 now. Probably won't be going that route any more (the BPS rod) as I'd like to either stay with the Premiers or give Fenwick a try some day.

If he goes with a St. Croix I'd think he could easily go with a MLXF in whatever length he wants. Short to me is under 6'6", and I'm a yakker who prefers 5'9"-6' primarily, but use as long as 6'6". He'd have to look at the Premier series at Croix to stay under $150. But there are so many great rods in that price range. He's got plenty of choices. I'd go with a MF or MLF for the CB.