Darren.

Never, but it has some nice looks. Did a quick google and found this for a diff model, but same company (nothing popped up on the model you listed): http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=17789.0

What everyone else said. LMB!

No sir. Red Label is on the stiff side, which means coils and springs and bad words that follow. It's a fine leader material, though. You're better off with a more limp fluorocarbon, but yeah, they can be more expensive... Tatsu is one.

That tip saves money. Done it many times myself. Your best way to get actual diameter of braid is to get a set of calipers

Yamamoto Senko.

Good stuff, Blue. Brings back memories of taking my sons (when they were wee lads) fishing.

That's a negative for me.

Nice bass, and a great start to 2017!

Good ol Hank!? I'd LOVE to spend 30 min chatting with him. Awesome story!

Welcome aboard @Wes91!

Excellent work!

Welcome aboard, @Jake Lepak!

WOW, aNOTHER old thread revival! PREACH!! Amazing what Feb of 2017 brings in terms of old threads. Hey, I tried coloring my braid. Worked! Black, too. But I still prefer to use a leader. Go figure!

Dude, you're killing me! I need to win the lottery to get some of this steak!! Descriptions are amazing.

Dang, Paul! Nice bass and a hossy blue gill! I went out for first time in Feb today and could only manage an 18" pickerel in 2 hours!! Success because it was NOT a skunk day! But I'd take your ladies any day of the week!! Psst - @A-Jay, the pickerel was on a white pond magic spinnerbait (3/16 oz), NOT a wacky rig.

Welcome aboard! And definitely sounds like you have a handle on what/how you want to freshwater fish. I can't really add much to your comments because I'm mainly a light line angler that prefers shorter rods (5'6"-6'3" with 6'6" the max)... But good luck on all your endeavors!

For the last year, I've used uni-to-uni more than the Albright/mod'd version and had 100% success with it using 10, 15, and 20# braid to anywhere from a 4-15# leader (mainly 6, 8, and 10). Now I can say that I've had some knots fail with very slick leader line - P-Line Floroclear comes to mind here in 6# diameter. But the failure always occurs when I've tied and then pull-tested the knot before use. Have had it fail with Albright, too. So with thinner diameter lines I add more wraps. Takes care of the breakage problem. Your experience may vary from mine, of course. But with all these line-to-leader knot scenarios, use what works best for you!

February 2017! The month of old thread revivals! Not singling you out, @Bucky205, there have been a few others, too For this thread, I think @J Francho's post above yours states braid+leader use best. Drag has a lot to do with the success of the whole setup. When done right, a braid+leader connection should not fail. I've gone years with successful connections with extreme rarity that I ever break at the connection...

Had some thin sliced ribeye and corn tonight, as well. Celebrating my bro-in-law's b-day. Wife grilled perfect medium rare. All I did was microwave-steam the corn, salt, pepper, and butter 'em, too. Delish.

When I think wide and roomy kayak I think Pro Angler. Nucanoe is another "hybrid" worthy of consideration on that front. I wouldn't consider my Native Ultimate "wide and roomy" though it is wide. Is also comfortable. I'd say consider a hybrid (Ultimate, Commander, Nucanoe) if you're biggest lake is 50 acres. Hybrids have no scupper holes to drain. I fish much larger reservoirs and have never had an issue with no scupper holes. Although I do eventually want another yak with scuppers so I can hit some salty water with bigger waves and such.

Rock on and catch a limit, mate!

I lost my tag, so my wife sewed one on the back of all my shirts... LOL, not really, she doesn't sew. But anyhow, OP, welcome aboard! Please do list your budget for both combos. And realize you also need line, etc., figured in. Unless that separate which, if true, kudos. You're on the right path to be possessed by the Bait Monkey. There are some great combos you can buy at Dicks', Bass Pro, Cabelas, and other shops. And often, at least at Bass Pro, they have mix/match combos. More info needed to give you better feedback.

Sure! I mostly tie a uni-to-uni, or a modified Albright where I go up about 8-15 wraps (depending on line diameter), and back down 7-10 times, then moisten, tighten. I give strong pulls before ever dropping my line. So I've practice-tied these knots for years. Getting a well-tied knot is crucial, IMO.

I rarely ever break a leader, unless I work at busting it off on a snag. But you should be able to use straight braid when bed fishing. If they don't bother taking any of your presentations anymore, try a leader again. If it works, then use a leader

We have a lab (Oakley the Knucklehead) and a mix of Bichon/peekapoo/maltese (Kobe). He's the mastermind. Think Pinky and The Brain. Somehow Oakley is contracted by Kobe to jump up and fetch any food on the counter that is less than 10" from edge. Or if it falls to the floor at Oakley's feet, Kobe, if less than 10' away will always...always beat her too it. But I can't imagine life without dogs. Love 'em. How did this go from steak to dogs? Back to our regularly scheduled culinary discussion!!