Darren.

Wow, drop shot weights are a great price there! Gonna have to order some up. To the OP, welcome to the forums! I've bought tungsten on sale at various shops, but I'll probably buy from Siebert for my next batch. I didn't know he sold individual weights.

First, welcome to the forums! Second, @Bluebasser86 is spot on. Here's an article you will want to read about an FLW pro who only uses spinning gear and does a lot of frog fishing... http://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

All above are great suggestions. You definitely want to go to a demo day at a local dealer, or even just ask if a local shop has demos for you to try. Or, if those options aren't available, just get some sit-in time (if you can) at the store. This is how I settled on my kayak since I wasn't able to demo it on the water. Loved it ever since. There are also kayak-specific forums on the web that could also be of great help. Here's a link to a thread you may or may not have already seen regarding this topic: http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/476421-need-advice-on-buying-a-kayak-for-a-big-man/ Yaks with high weight capacity plus ability to stand and fish (quick search): Jackson Big Rig - 450lbs Hobie Pro Angler - 500lbs Wilderness Systems ATAK & Ride - 550lbs Wilderness Systems Commander - 475lbs Native Watercraft Slayer 12 - 450lbs Native Watercraft Ultimate FX 15 - 450lbs Ocean Kayak Big Rig - 550-600lbs Feel Free Lure 13.5 - 500lbs NuCanoe Frontier - 650lbs

Nice bass, Mike!

Welcome, Dane! Wacky jigs are good for getting down deeper, faster. I use them mostly in windy conditions, or if the water is high, otherwise I usually use Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap hooks and I tie my own weed guards. As for VMC, be careful with wire weed guards, as they can be stiff - at least on their weightless hooks....

You could also check out Dick's Sporting Goods and their Daiwa Samurai combos. They're decent and I believe, on sale now for Father's Day. Will be well under $50.

Well then, belated welcome aboard, Mike!

Welcome aboard! Beautiful reel!

Well done! And so the addiction begins...

We all started there when learning to tie leaders. I practiced and practiced until I can now do so (almost) with my eyes closed. And I can tell you my aging eyes have some trouble seeing small hook eyes up close. That said, start with the most basic (IMO) of leader knots, the Uni-to-Uni. There are tons of tutorials and animated examples out there. From there, you can learn to tie others. But I'd start with that one. Practice it a bunch of times on lengths of braid and mono you have laying around. When you are ready, cinch each knot well and with plenty of saliva, then slowly draw them together (I wet the line to lubricate it as I draw them. Then give a good steady pull to test the knot before you cut the tag ends.

Seeing how you're now sponsored by WS shouldn't that be a disclaimer?

Nice PB!

I'm in the minority, but no, I don't think you're missing out if it works best where you fish. I tried cranks, and other hard lures, and will still give them a try. I've had low success on them, and simply prefer to fish soft plastics wacky, or drop shot, etc. Never fished, and not interested in tourneys, or such things. I fish because I love the sport and simply enjoy what I have found works best for me. Might be missing some fish, but I'm catching some they're missing, too.

Lanier, I use braid for my mainline and tie on a leader of various pound test and material as needed, depending on the situation. For one, braid is quite easy to maintain, and with that ease, you can choose from a variety of fluorocarbon, copoly, mono filament lines to fish from in any length you feel comfortable with. There's no set rule. You just want your leader knot to be tied well, and with plenty of lubrication. I use the Uni x2 and the Mod'd Albright. But there are others. Point being, braid gives you manageability while the leader gives you whatever else you are confident with, be it stealth, or abrasion resistance, etc. You can tie a new leader on whenever you need to!

I personally don't like/prefer the hook bent the way it is, but it will probably work. The nano coat is something new, i believe, intro'd by Aaron Martens, I think. Worth a try at the #2 size, since that's the biggest at BPS's site.

Welcome aboard! I don't live out there, but I know it's hot. I'd definitely try night fishing, but I'd also ask locals who fish the lakes you fish to see what works and when. Good luck.

Sounds like fun, despite a crazy hot day here!

I have no problems setting the hook while standing in my yak. I know the 128T is billed as wider than the 12, and more stable. I've seen a guy out on a local reservoir fishing in one and he was standing most of the time. Unless you do gymnastics or yoga stretches while setting the hook, you will be fine. You will learn the yaks secondary stability and get along just fine. But please, wear your PFD 100% of the time. You never know! This way if you fall out due to a 175º hookset, then hit your head on the side of the yak and get knocked out, you'll most likely wake up still in this world. I wear mine always. Life is too short to do otherwise.

Welcome aboard, Mike! Always great when slumps are broken.

Awesome! Love wacky riggin'!!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Ben!

That could very well be the issue. The heavier the line, the fewer loops I tie. But with 8# FC, I'd def go more.

That's interesting. With pure fluoro I like the Mod'd Albright, about 7-10 wraps up and 4-5 back down. But I've generally had very good success with double uni, 5-6 loops for braid, and about 5-6 as well for the leader.