Darren.

Geez, y'all are really getting pounded! Were you originally in the path, as I've read it wandered north of NYC where it was expected to hit hard. Stay warm, stay safe, and here's the sound of spring peepers to warm your thoughts

Telltale sign Spring is on the way! Peepers have been active for a while here in my neck of the woods.

I use both, like the Slick a little better. Smoother, seems to cast a little better - and is less noisy if that bothers you. But it is more ... slick ... so remember that when tying a leader knot.

1. Welcome aboard! 2. A MH rod will be best for versatility. But if you want to add frogging to the mix, look at a MH St. Croix in your $ range. They tend to be a tad stiffer than other brands at the same rating. Length of rod is up to you and your preferences. 3. Micro guides. I'm no expert, have only one rod with them and I honestly don't see a lot of difference in casts. I think weight is the primary savings that I've noticed. Others here are more qualified to answer this than I am.

I'll give you an example of what I use for braid + leader: 10 and 15# Power Pro (2# and 4# mono diameter equiv) Leaders from 4-15# all on the above braid. The lighter the leader, the more wraps I tie. This is especially good if you use a Mod'd Albright/Alberto knot. The more wraps the less slippage for smaller dia line.

Ah, yes. Daiwa makes Cabelas reels. 1500 is a nice size, close to the 1000 Shimano.

I would have to give the nod to the IM8 graphite rod. I have IM7 and IM8 rods that are excellent, especially compared to Ugly Sticks. Have owned the Ugly Stik Lite versions. Now I've only spent time feeling the Elites in-store and still find them too heavy for my liking. That's just me. I used to be a big Ugly Stik fan. Would use one for live bait circumstances if I still used one.

Sounds like a plan. Is the 1500 a Daiwa? I love 1000 size Stradics, personally, have them on all my spinning setups...

LOL...

I bought the 5'6" L version, spinning, and it is more of a ML strength. Excellent rod. Really enjoy it. Caught plenty of smallies up to 2 lbs and would have no issue catching much heavier bass on it.

No can help with Colorado, but others here can! Just a welcome to the forums from me!

I actually shortened the butt end of my BPS Carbonlite (one of them) to make it more kayak friendly 6'6" rod is now 6'3".

I don't know Lews rods, but I do use a ML for drop shot and even wacky, split shotting, mojo rigs, small spinnerbaits and so forth. My St. Croix in ML is a bit stiffer, but my BPS MicroLite is much less stiff. I can't speak to Lews, so don't know if they're a bit stronger than rated.

Wish I could "landa" boat one of these days... Just doesn't work with "Landau" ... Nice find, anyhow, and have fun DIY'ing it!

Welcome aboard! I've never been so "lucky" to snag such a pricey combo. Have snagged an old Shakespeare rod, tho. LOL... @Slipknot_Fan666, you're right. If I'd have lost that I'd be sick to my stomach and would love some good news on that front. Would be a Good Samaritan kind of thing to do.

I didn't know you were Canadian!? All aboat that... get it... I'll show myself out...

Way outta my league for a lure And by the looks of it, even if it were in my league, I'd not pull the trigger and buy it. If it doesn't catch me, it won't catch fish! LOL.

Another thumbs up from me! Did the same when I was fishing local docks. Don't come across kids so much any more being out on the water in the yak, except for my own sons.

Well then, we'll have to hit NNPK and you can teach how it will rain bass there!! LOL. Every time I have Lee Hall figured out, it just decides, "well dang it, we'll have to do better next time" and tells all the bass to shut their mouths. I haven't tried your Rapala yellow perch, tho. I'm one who has better luck on the softies, jig, and spinnerbait there. Tho I *rarely* have a skunk on Lee Hall, I don't always catch a bass to defeat the skunk, either. Usually a pickerel helps out there.

Welcome aboard! Wow, $60 each?! Great buy, IMO. Don't use the Crucials, but I've eyed them in-store, handled them a lot. Like the feel, balance, prefer the older cork models, though...

It's ridiculously strong for its line rating, so no worries. And I believe it's neutrally buoyant, fine for topwater. If left on the surface, it'll float. Break surface tension and it'll sloooowly drop.

I like the "stradivarius" FK reels a whole lot I'd say your 6'10" setup would work just fine with the 3000, though for DS, personally, that is an oversized reel. Again, just me as I'm a 1000 "Stradivarius" guy

I will indeed consider adding this to my finesse repertoire. Thanks for the tip. Now how to sneak the stuff past my wife....

I have a number of long poles (fiberglass and one graphite) that go from 10' to 20' in length. Some of the best (most fun) fishing I've ever had. As far as frugal, though, I spent some $$ on my graphite pole and it has paid off in spades.

Dadgum! One of these days I'll stumble on Wally World deals like that!