Darren.

Bought mine on ebay, too, have even sent 'em in for warranty repair! Just be sure the seller has a high rating! I usually look for 99.7 and up before I consider buying from 'em.

Congrats and good luck! @boostr is right, hit up the local forum for questions on where to go in your area. And be safe!! Wear your PFD at ALL times! Don't be *that* guy who thinks he's a good enough swimmer he doesn't need to wear one...

I'm of the less-is-more group, as well. The most I brought on my kayak was, I think 6. Waaaay too many. I usually bring 2 or 3 and concentrate on a few techniques.

Here ya go: http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/tatulalt/index.html I love Stradics, but put Daiwa and Shimano mostly side-by-side in quality. The problem I have with some of the higher-end Daiwa's is with Magseal. And this is not based on my own use but on reading reviews from the likes of Alan Hawk, et al. The idea is great, but if you need service, good luck. Magseal, though, is only in Ballistics on up in price, so not in the equation with the LT and below.

I think Pats will probably win, too, but hope Eagles can bring one home to Philly. Problem is, they've already goaded the GOAT with "pretty boy" comments. Not good, LOL. Tom will have that on his locker for the next 2 weeks!!

Welcome aboard, Jason!

I use braid exclusively, both 10 and 15#. The 10 is regular yellow Power Pro, the 15 is also yellow, but Super Slick 8. Leader for all. As for line loops, there are some, mostly around rod tips, but nothing too unusual, IMO. With the braided mainline, management is a breeze for the most part.

Welcome aboard!

Well, the SB is set, but I did not see the train wreck of the Vikings coming. Actually, total credit to the Eagles for a well-played game on both sides of the ball. Foles was great, and boy did they dissemble the #1 D in the league! Gonna be a very good SB.

Welcome aboard!

Yeah, the Hobie motor is a Torqueedo and crazy priced. Heck, the Torqueedo is pricey no matter who sells it!

Welcome aboard, Wayne!

My U12 is definitely a great fishing machine, esp with the motor attached. Probably a tad easier than peddle systems in that I set the speed and control direction with my feet as opposed to controlling speed with feet and direction with a hand, rod in other hand. Not sure which is better, technically, but I wouldn't mind the workout of the Hobie system . That and I wouldn't have to register it...until I decided to motorize it.

Absolutely! Just expressing a little "I wish" feelings

Wow, sounds like a great time. No help from me, alas, but if you went saltwater, I know there's a ton of stuff for charters and all that. Bass, probably a little more inland. I just did a quick Google search and came up with this outfit. CanNOT say anything other than I found it on Google. :-) http://www.backwateradventures.com/

All about that Stradic! Great reels. Though I'd only use a 3000 for saltwater . For me it's 1000 for bass!

These shows always seem to fall on weekends that are chock full of stuff for me. Indoor soccer (futsal), stupid and sudden house fixes (kitchen sink replacement), high school swim meets! Another year, another miss for me at the Richmond Expo. Maybe next year....

I love kayak fishing, fresh or salt. Your Hobie PA14 is an awesome "boat" for the job. I'd actually love a PA12 with the new 180 Mirage drive to put my legs to work! Alas, no $$ with 4 boys, a house, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and snakes. My wife would permanently make me sleep on the couch if I snuck a PA12 into my kayak arsenal. In the meantime my Native Ultimate 12 + 30# thrust trolling setup does the job well Good luck in your endeavors. My advice, most importantly: 1) ALWAYS wear your PFD 2) See #1 (Life is too precious to assume you're always safe)

About 5 months ago, I'd have told you "not me, just my boys." But son #3 convinced me to go striper fishing with him and it changed my life, LOL. And then there's the sheer unknown of what you might catch with salt. I've really come to enjoy it way more than I thought I ever would. Now I have been deep sea fishing a few times in the 90s, that was awesome, too, but I found I did NOT like the rolling ocean, so not done much of that since. As long as I can see land, I'm pretty good to go. And I do all this out of a kayak, as well. And I have fished some local docks with the boys a few times over the years, but none of it swayed me from fresh water...until now.

I'm unable to post the site I like for Zoom baits, guess they've either requested to not be linked, or are persona non grata here. You might find a lot of that with a thread like this So many sites out there, I only have used a few you've mentioned above. Flea markets, as @TOXIC mentions, are great, as well.

I'd love that match up. I think the Jags D will be a lot for Brady to handle. They have the potential to knock him off his patterns and out of the comfort zone. But he is the GOAT, and unless his injury is serious, he'll be ready. I do wish Wentz was healthy. He played so darn well in the first 1/2 of the season, I'd love to see him play for all the marbles, too. He'll be back next year, I'm sure.

Welcome aboard! I have no doubt you'll be fishing sooner than the rest of us

Ugh, man. Flu absolutely, unequivocally sucks. I got what I think was the second flu shot of my life this year. My wife is a nurse, so she's required to get the shot. Another nurse told me the flu is awful this year and they're seeing quite a few contract it who got shots. I have 3 sons still in school, a petri dish of contagion, so it's a matter of time. I keep a can of Lysol for when they do get sick. Spray down the bathroom, etc. when they finish. I hate being sick. A crap shoot, the shot. What strain is it, and is that the strain making the rounds, or a combo of the strain? May or may not keep it away, but will hopefully lessen the duration. Get well soon!

My condolences, Tom. Like you said, he's in a better place, so a silver lining to an otherwise dark cloud.

Sometimes the local purchase is best - supporting the mom n' pop stores keeps local economy going. That said, I do go to BPS, but far less often than I used to. They were always on the full-retail cost end of things, but with their rewards program, gift cards, there's often a reason to go. I guess I've refined what I look for over the years. Deals can be found just not as often as in years past (IMO).