Darren.

Agreed. You can use spinning for everything bass if it is what you want to do. At least one pro uses only spinning gear: http://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

I use both, and I did try to do everything with a BC, but the experiment, while quite successful, proved *for me* that the wind and light lures are not best suited for BC'ing. So I always have a spinning rod with me, and, in fact use it more than my baitcasting setup these days.

Welcome aboard, Trevor! @roadwarrior 's post above is a great place to start as we see a lot of "what's the best rod" type of threads on a weekly basis. Good luck in your search!

Agree with much here. @anthonyfip you hit a key thought when you said "but feel that I don't really need to". Listen to your inner voice. I've bought cheap, and I've bought expensive. Sure I love the expensive rod, it is far more "crisp" than anything else I own. But I went with it because I wanted to. I didn't need to. In fact, that money spent could have been better spent elsewhere... As as been warned, it can be an endless chase for "the one". @billjaco Nice first post. Welcome aboard!

Awesome! Just putting fish in the boat is fun enough!

LOL. Heh. Happened to me with another brand. The fish I weighed was pounds lighter than it should have been... Stupid thing was set for KGs... Heh.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Ralph!

Us vertically challenged guys get no respect!

Yeah, no. Those chips are more trouble than they're worth, IMO...

Good catch!

Niiice catch!!

Great day, indeed! Nice bass she's holding there.

*Really* nice work, man. They look sweet!

Line management. In my experience, it is far better than using straight fluoro, mono, etc.

In my opinion, yes, but not necessarily why you think. Braid is expensive and I prefer to not keep cutting down on it retying hooks and such during an outing. So a leader allows you to save braid. That said, two knots are really all you need: uni-to-uni, and the Albright Special/Alberto. There are YouTube tutorials that make tying really easy with practice. I am 100% confident in my leader knots.

Welcome aboard!

Nice! Pray tell, what is that white stuff on the ground?

Welcome aboard! I'm with Catt. Wacky rig 'em.

Nice catch!

A Birthday of happiness....congrats.

Welcome aboard, first off! What have you tried to throw? I can't say much for the Potomac, but there are plenty here that can offer assistance. I like to start people fishing with soft plastics as that's what I have personally have the most success with. Wacky rigging with a 4 or 5" Senko style bait, Texas rigging, or the like. Give us a little info on what you've been trying.

Like WRB said, distance from reel to tip hasn't changed so much as the butt end. I discovered this when I cut a 6'6" rod down to 6'3". My main rods are 6'3" (spinning, casting), longest I use is 6'6". All from kayak (or shore). It is entirely personal. I hate longer rods as I fish a lot of close-quarter cover, under bridges, etc., and rarely have to make really long casts. That's me and how I fish.....

Ribs poked

Ah First World problems, eh? I say go with your gut. Not the monkey.