Darren.

Agreed!

Line management is the big thing for me with braided mainline. No jumping off the spool and all that. The leader, for me, is just the way I roll. I always tie a leader. A big reason, again, for me, is that I may have to change it once during an outing. As opposed to changing lures, or tying new hooks on several times cutting in to the amount of braided mainline I have on my reel. The leader saves time with the mainline for me. You also have abrasion resistance with some leader lines, less visibility, and so on....

You can buy little shad darts, Walmart has them, as do the big shops.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

I do not fish either, but I have read that both are quality decisions, each of which will allow you to stand and fish. So by my estimation, either will do, although, I do suggest one gets sit-in time in kayaks you're interested in...

Then by all means...use your head. Me? I'll just let my sons destroy our toilet seats by ... well, the way boys destroy them.

Welcome aboard! @Delaware Valley Tackle is the man to ask.

Welllllllllp.... The world has just lost 23 IQ points.... I mean. Broken toilet seats...by the .... head. Ok.... I'm trying to find a suitable emoji...and I can't. And it's "dain bramage" not "brain damage".

Toyota. Solid brand. Got a 2003 Tundra, myself. Enjoy and drive safely, @Catch and Grease.

Yeah, I figured you'd comment with something like this...

Congrats, @A-Jay, ^^^ you were poster #666 in this thread!

Dang, Blue! 2 hours and a fish on almost every cast! That's what I'm talking about! Dream like!

Welcome aboard, @MT523. @Sam is spot-on with both of your questions.

Welcome aboard!

Extremely well

I hit up a second local Walmart and they had exactly ONE Shock, MH casting 6' for $30. All the rest were $40...

I go braid + leader on every one of my setups. Spinning shines with this given braid's lack of management issues. And @roadwarrior is spot on, you can tie a new and different type of leader on whenever you want. For leaders, I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid from 4-15# and Gamma Edge fluoro in 6, 8, and 10# test. Also use P-Line Floroclear, but less these days because I have so much dang YZH laying around. The Gamma Edge has actually been my go-to even over YZH lately.

Once when I was fishing a dock, there was a guy setup and fishing this way. I so badly wanted to go over and "help" him correct his setup, but he had an air about him that he knew what he was doing, so I kept my tongue.

While this isn't a pic of a casting rod, this is what I've seen in at least one or two occasions in the past many years.

In addition to the other comments, Austin, you might want to give the Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm a try on a drop shot. http://www.baits.com/?p=228 I've found it incredibly effective in the more natural colors and laminates like green pumpkin/watermelon and so on. Fishing it by bridge pylons is prime for drop shotting. Good luck!

Welcome aboard, Roy!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! I second the 50e size. I hear the 70 is great, too.