Darren.

Actually...I don't know. The folks he went with are quite good at Striper fishing, so I'm gonna assume an eel... Funny though, I never asked. But I'm guaranteeing it weren't no wacky rig

My youngest hauling in a 28+" striper on Saturday by the James River Bridge. Was fishing with soccer buddy's family. And yes. I'm well aware (after I rec'd the pic) he wasn't wearing a PFD.

Hi Mark, welcome aboard! Second pic is a largemouth. First looks to be a warmouth. Looks like a tiny largemouth. Puts up a nice fight.

Micro guides on my Legend Tournament Walleye rod do fine with leader knots, specifically Uni-to-Uni and Alberto in 6-10# test. It is a small, compact knot when tied well.

Agree with @RoLo, drop shot weights offer the advantage of not losing the entire rig... But they are not required. In fact, I've been testing out a method from Gary Senft (AZ bass pro) in which he slides a bobber stop on the line first, then his hook, then another bobber stop (no knot). Then at the bottom, you actually tie on a weight - this can be any weight, honestly, but some are better than others at coming through rocks, and so forth. The bobber stops on either side allow "infinite" adjustment of the distance from hook to weight. My testing has been 100% successful thus far. Once the bass takes the bait, set the hook as normal for DS (reel down and lift, or sweep). The bait slides down to the weight and you bring the bass in, unhook, reset hook, done. (I don't use barrel swivel).

Details! Good stuff. Thanks for clarifying.

Congrats!!

Yeah, but were they grilled or battered? The grilled are pretty darn awesome.

If you want two quality rods built on the same blank as the Avid, get the Mojo rods for both. As for reels, a 2500 size is "standard" for bass fishing, no real need to go bigger. I actually only use 1000 size for all my bass fishing. I'm assuming 6925 for Pflueger? Obviously the 30 is in between and probably fine for your desired use.

Welcome aboard! Probably go with a MHF rod, length is your call. I do not fish a buzz frog, so can't really offer more.

True, but he didn't take the phone, it was the act I was referring to. But yes, it'd be a costly proposition with a person in a questionable mental state to follow through handing him your iPhone/Android device. I wouldn't do it but I'd probably make the overture OP did and say you can call the police with my phone...but not let him. Say you'll make the call for him.

I've only encountered guys fishing in a kayak tourney and they were totally chill. I even gave them some tips since they'd not fished the lake before. However, this is not the first "horror story" I've heard... Handing him your phone was classic. A good way to counter his rudeness.

Welcome aboard, Todd!

Welcome aboard, Mikey!

Welcome aboard! We've got a number of folks who fish the VA Beach area that can help with your question. I fish the Peninsula, so unfortunately cannot help out there.

Awesome 4x4!!! Great mods. Hope it gets found in great condition!

Welcome to the forums! Definitely sounds like they need some TLC from a quality service like DVT....

I stand with St. Croix, wouldn't call what they make junk rods... It was a gift, you didn't spend your hard-earned $ to buy it, so spend the $ with their discounted send-in warranty service and give 'em a chance with it. @Delaware Valley Tackle builds rods. He can chime in on the blank issue. And welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! First. Braid. Straight braid is not a no-no, plenty do it and with great success. For ME, I don't like cutting into my pricey braid so I always use a leader anywhere from 4-15# test. I'm a mostly-spinning guy, and I would not recommend one rod for all the techniques you want to throw. Plenty of good rods can be had at $50-100, with the $100 being the sweet spot in quality/sensitivity of blanks. I have St. Croix (USA-made) models in MLF and MLXF - Premier and Legend Tournament. The Premier is a fine rod. I've been using mine for Ned rigs, wacky, and so forth. Plenty sensitive and around $120. I also use Bass Pro Carbonlites. Excellent for $100 and often on sale. Actions: ML/F or ML/XF, M/F or M/XF, MH You can get away with jig, cranks and such on a M power rod but it isn't optimal. Look for MXF if you're going with one rod. MH would be better.

WUT?!

Welcome aboard!

I was just watching a YouTube vid of a guy that had a "cheap" motorcycle trailer that he converted to tow his Hobie PA, and it was wide enough to have a toolbox (like back of truck) on the other side where he stored his gear. Starts talking trailer at 52 seconds, shows it after the 1 min mark.

Number of rods is entirely dependent on the fisherman/woman. I will carry up to 4, but often only take two. Unless you're trolling or live baiting, you can only use one rod at a time. Decide what your primary techniques are and base rod/reel choice on that. I'm a finesse fisherman, mainly take spinning gear. Heaviest is Medium power. ML used most often. Croix MLXF rods are excellent. If I want to change to a technique I didn't bring a rod for, I will still do it (say a heavier TX rig or such) and change out my leader from 6,8,or 10 to 15lb test and a larger hook. I've done it enough to know it will work, may not be "best" but it works and keeps my kayak sanity in shape. Too much stuff is a nightmare waiting to happen in a yak (IMHO).

Reels at that level will be pretty much on level with each other. I'm a Stradic guy, but would have no problem using a Ballistic.