Darren.

10# or 15# braid (IMHO) and a leader of whatever material you want. It's what I do on all my spinning reels. There's not much you can't pull in with a setup like that, to be honest.

So many answers I agree with! For me, finding the fish (the hunt), and then getting them to strike my offerings. Fun part. Just getting out on the water, hearing and seeing nature, wild animals, otters, beavers, turkeys, snakes, etc.

Welcome aboard! Any chance you could get it on the water for a brief paddle-around? You'll find out quickly!

Jealous! We've got great weather here in VA, too, but I just can't get out yet!! Nice fish, BTW

Nothing fish-related. Bought all that myself throughout the year. Spent my Xmas gifts already, LOL...

Well done!

Ditto to Lou's guess, that's mine. Congrats on it either way. Great bass!!

Read about that, too, though it didn't hold as much weight as either Luke's or Leia's daughter... However, if ObiWan and Duchess Satine were secretly wed.... Interesting theory, to be sure.

Han's death caught me by surprise. Though after reading JJ Abrams' thoughts on the matter, I can (sort of, reluctantly) get and understand the why. It was mostly to cement the badness of Ben Solo/Kylo Ren since Darth Vader was the baddest ever, Kylo had to be as bad or worse and seal the deal by killing his father. Great movie, though I'm still processing the loss of Han. I do think Rey is more likely Luke's daughter, or at the very furthest, his niece. Can't wait for next movie....

Welcome aboard!

Can't help you with pouring your own plastics, but just wanted to welcome you to the forums! You'll get answers here.

Well, spinning is much better when it comes to skipping baits under docks, low bushes/trees, bridges, etc. For lighter baits, spinning is better, but with the way my Chronarch 50e reels are rigged, I can cast some very light baits. If I had to choose one over the other. Spinning.

I use both spinning and bait casting for wacky. Setup is all braided mainline (10, 15 or 20lb) and a leader from 4-15 lb test. Typically use either Gamakatsu Split/Drop hooks in 1, 1/0, or Wide Gap Finesse hooks. I tie on my own weed guards. For worms, anything from Senkos to knock-offs to Trick and Finesse worms to minnows, etc. Will also use weighted wacky hooks, usually 1/8oz.

Thanks, Sam! And likewise to you!

So I've heard. Doubt I'd recognize it at all. Used to stay with my sister in Plano. That place is nothing like I remember. The fields surrounding the old JCPenney complex, all housing. Crazy how much TX grew and grew and grew. Haven't been back since 92 or 93, so would be a shock to me, for sure.

Welcome aboard! UNT grad myself. Lived in the DFW area in the mid-80s to early 90s.

Absolutely the case!

Welcome aboard, Brian!

Ditto. Don't really care about the tourney trail, though I don't mind them using electric motors (since I do ) ... Only thing I have to say about the motors, it is a huge advantage to those with 40 lb thrust and above. My 30 lets me keep pace with my buddy who paddles, LOL. Yeah, eventually he'll tire, but he can beat me full out... And for those with Hobie's or pedal yaks there's an advantage there, too, as leg muscles are bigger and don't exhaust as quickly as arms... Anyhow, doesn't matter to me, really, because I don't fish tourneys.

Welcome aboard, Brian!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, David!

Welcome aboard! Since your handle contains "budget" I'm going to assume you don't want to spend a ton of $$. So let me recommend the BPS Ascend (tan) fishing PFD. I've got one and it is plenty good. Believe it's modeled after the Stohlquist. All that said, I was going to post a link to it for you, but it isn't on BPS' web site. If you have a BPS you can go to, check it out. Solid for about $80.

Welcome aboard, Scott!

Welcome aboard! (Again - believe I already welcomed you in your first post)