Darren.

The difference is that the 15# measures in 1/4# increments The higher models in 1/2# increments

There still offered at TW! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/BogaGrip/descpage-BOGA.html?from=basres I love mine, have the 15# model.

Heh, I was also going to compare your speed junkie-ness to your upgrading to a power boat from a canoe... I consider my kayak like a stick bait, LOL. Works well for the amount of places I get it to.

Based on a lot of what you like throwing, you are a speed junkie like KVD! I am less inclined to such things...perhaps a deficiency on my part.

@A-Jay, takes a real fisherman to admit stick baits work well!

Nice work! Don't own a boat, but I DIY the heck outta my kayak.

It is sad to hear so many people say "law says I only need one in the boat". While technically true, it is still risky, as proven by stories like these.

Here in VA, a kayaker died this weekend, no PFD. Needless tragedy. http://www.dailypress.com/news/traffic/dp-suspicious-object-reported-at-monitor-merrimac-bridge-tunnel-20161123-story.html @A-Jay, @Sam, others here beside myself constantly urge the wearing of PFDs all the time. There's a reason, and here is another example why. Whatever the cause of his death, barring a catastrophic stroke or heart-attack, he stood a greater chance of survival if he had a PFD on.

Welcome aboard! I like spinning best for soft plastics, though I have casting gear that can cast almost as light bait as my spinning setups. That said, in dicey conditions, and all around for skipping under bushes, docks, etc., I prefer spinning. So I like Shimano reels primarily, but am also a fan of Daiwa, and Pflueger gets a lot of love. For rods, the Bass Pro Micro Lite in a ML power is an excellent rod for around $60 (on sale now for $50) which leaves you about $60-70 for a reel. Pflueger President, probably the best bet for the $, but if you hit up ebay you can find great deals on other brands.

Would be nice to get out, but not sure it's gonna work out for me. I'll definitely try, going to be a balmy 62º here

Albright/Alberto variants uni-to-uni (I'm tying this 99% of the time now, simply the quickest to tie when I'm out in my yak)

Thanks and likewise!!

Agree with @J Francho, these are two brands you can really "take your pick". I have a Lexa and a Chronarch 50e, the latter of which feels better in my hands. Actually gave the Lexa to one of my boys, but it is a solid reel, and I caught a lot of bass on it, including a 14# Striper. Just happen to be moving away from casting and back to spinning these days...

Welcome aboard! Good advice from @A-Jay to get you started.

Actually, yes I do. On one of my Carbonlites I cut about 3" off the butt end so it is now around 6'3" and it works pretty well. That said, longer handles don't bother me too much overall, especially when standing....

Welcome aboard, Matt!

Can't help, but I can welcome you to the forums!

I use 6'6", 6'3", 6', 5'9" and 5'6" rods for bass fishing. And I use Stradic 1000 reels exclusively. My max length for a rod is 6'6". I just don't like long rods for bass fishing in my yak as I frequently fish in areas with low-hanging trees, bridges, and so on.

Welcome aboard!

My Legend Tournament ($250) is 6'3" MLXF My Carbonlites are 6'6", but one of them I cut the butt end down so it is 6'3". My other two spinning rods are both BPS Micro Lite rods, one is travel at 5'6" and the other 6'. both are excellent for drop shot. FWIW

Looks like a great year and some excellent pix to record your endeavors! Nicely done!

Welcome aboard! There are a ton of choices in your price range. My experience is limited, but I've had Shimano Compre, Bass Pro Carbonlites, St. Croix Premiere, Avid, and above your price range, the St. Croix Legend Tournament, and a few other brands. For me, the Carbonlites are excellent rods at the $100 point. But for warranty, St. Croix's Avid and up are hard to beat. I actually replaced my Avid (broke + warranty upgrade) for the Legend Tournament rod. Big difference in quality. I'd probably look at the Avid, Avid X series, although I did find Avids to be a tad tip-heavy, but that's in my hands, you may find them perfect. Edit: My action recommendations are ML, especially in the St. Croix line. I have ML in the Carbonlite and my LT is ML. Love the action. The Croix is more in between the ML and M range. Good luck

To your last paragraph, this is one of the reasons I went to casting -- I was having significant issues with "fisherman's elbow" in both arms. So I set out to become proficient in the casting side of things. That said, I'm actually going back to spinning more, and even sold one of my Chronarch 50e reels... I think my injury was more from overuse. I was fishing nearly every day then, so make sense. I still like casting, but spinning (for me) is so much easier to deal with windy conditions, etc. And I got quite proficient with casting in all conditions. Just got tired of the drawbacks... Your reason to try casting finesse is laudable and I would say go for it! I think it will definitely help you out. I know it did me. And good luck with your wrist. Hope the surgery does the trick and wish you a speedy recovery!

Welcome aboard, Bill! Love your avatar

I agree with @Gundog that spinning is the easiest; however, I spent considerable time using my Chronarch 50e reels and both a M and ML (6'6") Carbonlite rods for just such a thing. Bottom line, the Carbonlites work fantastically for what you are asking. I can even cast a weightless 4" Zoom Finesse worm wacky rigged on my ML setup.