Darren.

My wife tells me: "What's yours is mine and what's mine is ours." I don't have an answer for that yet. I gave up trying to have sweatshirts that are "mine" and such. Happy wife, happy life. At least she lets me fish

I'm with the simple soft plastics side of things. They are my confidence baits, and because I fish for enjoyment, they're my go-to unless I'm up for something different like a crank, spinner, lipless, etc. So for me it would have mainly 4" Senkos or senko knock-offs (BPS Stik-O). Then I'd have some Zoom Trick worms, and if room is left, some Zoom Finesse worms. I'd group them according to color, both sizes in the same slot if I'm sticking to one box. Colors: junebug; watermelon magic; green pumpkin; black; hot pepper frog. Then I'd have some wacky hooks, some round bend offset TX rig hooks, and some 1/4 oz Gremlin bull-shot weights.

Wind + yaks = fun (tongue in cheek). It's been recommended to use anchor trolleys and you'll want one on both sides. For me, I don't carry anchors with me anymore, just my 7' Stik-it Anchor pin. If I'm in deeper water I just use my trolling motor to keep me in position. Most of the time I'm in the shallows and the pin does the trick. I'll still sway, but there's only so much you can do to eliminate that. My yak is a Native Ultimate 12, customized with a 30 lb thrust Minn Kota on the back, I steer with my feet via cables to the foot pedals. I keep a spare emergency paddle with me for just-in-case occasions. Absolutely love the trolling motor option. I'd do it again if I had the money. Or I'd opt for a pedal type yak like the Hobie Pro Angler, Native Slayer Propel.

That'll play!

Picked up a Field&Stream digiscale at Dick's for about $25 (minus points I had) and it weighed very accurately. Until I lost it to Davey Jones' Locker. I now use a Boga grip - 15lbs. Love it. Accurate. But expensive.

10 or 15lb test PowerPro (15 is SuperSlick 8) is as high as I go on spinning gear for fresh water. And I use size 1000 Shimano reels, too. 6.6 lber in my avatar was caught on a 1000FI Stradic with 10 lb PowerPro, and I think a 10lb leader. I always tie on a leader and it'll be anywhere from 4lbs to 15lbs. Usually a copoly like YoZuri Hybrid, or P-Line Floroclear. Sometimes I'll tie BPS fluorocarbon (old white box stuff).

Been there, done that. Although it's hard to know just how heavy they are w/o weighing them I've estimated two I've lost right at the yak, and the other right at the net at ~8 pounds. Stings when they're "the one that got away". Especially when you swear they're laughing at you as they dive back into the depths.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome back to the sport! I find the easiest to get started with and the most productive (for me) has been with soft plastics - worms, Senkos, Zoom Trick and Finesse worms all in "standard" colors like black, june bug, watermelon black (or gold) flake, green pumpkins and so on. Easiest way to rig 'em is wacky. You tie on your hook (I recommend a Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse in 1 or 1/0). Then bend your Senko (or knock-off) in half and hook it through the bend perpendicular to the worm. Cast it out, and let it sink. As it sinks, it shimmies back and forth. Cast it near structure, docks, etc. Enjoy the results!

Welcome aboard!

Something else to consider between the CI4+ vs FJ, FK, FI, etc., are the handle grips used. While i love the weight of the CI4+, I don't like the round grip. I do love Shimano's paddle grip on the 1000 series Stradics, though. Just a personal thing. May not bother you at all. In that case, buy whichever you can get the best price on.

They mix, so long as you are prepared. I used to go out all the time in Virginia winters, but they're tame compared to Maine winters. I wear layers under my PFD, warm socks, etc. I have no scuppers in my yak, so I am not getting wet except from fish hauled in.

Are you looking at Hampton Roads in general, or more the South Side? I don't fish any lakes on the South Side. Everything I do is on the Peninsula. There are a number of great reservoirs like Bethel, Harwood's Mill, Lee Hall, Waller Mill, etc.

Welcome aboard, Derek!

Good comments above. Nothing more to add from me other than to welcome you to the forums!

Mine are mounted on Bass Pro Carbonlite rods and balance perfectly (which for me is tip-light). And given that 10lb PP is equal to 2lb mono in diameter, you get plenty of braid for the tasks at hand. 15lb is more like 4lb mono, so plenty there, too. I never had an issue with 10lb breaking. It is plenty strong. Plus, I always tie on a leader anywhere from 4lbs to 15lbs.

FWIW, I use my 1000 reels on Medium power rods. Caught plenty of 6 pound bass on them. All spooled with 10 lb Power Pro - but I bought a 1500 yard spool of Power Pro Super Slick 8 in 15lb test, so when the 10 is gone, I'm switching to 15. M rods are great for the 1000s. Unless you're looking to go light, then (personally) I'd go to a ML, but not much lighter. That's just me.

Welcome aboard!

Another vote in favor of Stradic 1000 reels! I haven't found a fish I can't pull in (yet) with my 1000 size reels. If you need *more* drag, use the palm of your hand on the spool to add drag. Perfectly suited for bass fishing. IMHO, anything more is overkill, but that's up to the person's comfort level. Some like bigger reels, some don't. I'm all about smaller reels - casting reels are 50e Chronarchs for me.

First, think safety. Wear your PFD at all times. Have gear like a knife within reach, or in your PFD, a whistle, horn, etc. Have a flag for visibility since you'll be on big water. Last thing you want is for a boater to not see you. I'd take two rods, a net, a scale, maybe a bump board for measuring (if you want to keep records). Personally, I'd stay in smaller areas, closer to shore. I'm not a risk-taker when it comes to big waters in my kayak. I know guys who fish big waters (Chesapeake Bay, etc.) and have no fear. Not me.

Huge! Did they release her?

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

She's a beaut!

Welcome aboard, Mike!