Darren.

Welcome aboard!

I used to spool it on entirely, but only use it as leader material now-a-days. I find it to be plenty strong in that capacity. Have it from 6-15 pound test. I've got so much more Yo Zuri Hybrid these days that I use that more often, but I usually keep a rod with Floroclear on it. So the "advantage" over CX is simply more fluorocarbon coating as per the last note I read on P-Line's site a while back where they posted a comparison between the two lines.

Welcome aboard!

x2

Well done! First time one of my boys cast a drop shot off a dock - practice, as well - he caught a 4 lb bass. It was just the start for him. Good luck at the trophy lake!

We should probably clarify - (to the OP) you can still demo kayaks regardless of whether during demo days. If they are on a river or near one, often they will let you demo the yaks you're interested in...

I second fly's encouragement to "test drive" as many yaks as you can in your area, or find a place like Appomattox River Company and visit during their demo days. As for boats and brands, Wilderness Systems is one of the largest, maker fine yaks, the Tarpon are great tracking yaks. Try many brands. Only then can you get what is right feeling for you. I was all set on a Commander after my extensive online research. But once I sat in one and then in the Native Ultimate, I felt the Ultimate was a better yak for me. Same goes with spinning reels. My favorite may not fit your tastes. But like fly's experience with the Commander, the Ultimate doesn't drain, either. I know people who take them on rivers, and out in big waters. Not me. My next yak will very likely be one with scuppers for drainage as there are place I want to go with my kids that I prefer not to in my Ultimate. For reservoirs, my Ultimate is fantastic, tho. So my research has me liking the Ride, Lure, Slayer, and a few ​others. But I wouldn't pull the trigger without - at the least - sitting in each yak. Best would be on-water demoing if possible. Just my .02.

And may you catch many more from your new yak!!

Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse from 1-3/0 Gamakatsu Drop shot/Split shot from 4-2/0 I tie my own weedless hooks, which is much easier on the larger hooks. The drop/split hooks are fine wire, penetrate the mouth easily. The Wide Gap hooks are a bit more stout and very strong. I've used Owner, BPS, etc. The only thing I didn't like about Owner was the "beak" of the hook tip....but they're fine hooks otherwise.

LOL, that's why I said I'm sure he'd be fine, but cramped. I can't speak to you guys who are 6' and over as I'm not graced with height. For me, 12 feet is ample, and I can deal with a 10' yak no problem. Though sometimes I feel cramped in my 12 footer, that's why I thought someone of 6'5" might like a longer yak. Now if he's not a long-legged dude, no biggie. Except the extra torso could mean less stability. The Ride, Ultimate, Lure are great yaks to consider.

I really don't know if my pole is listed anymore. It is a Hera rod, so a M ro ML - was one of the $70-80 models, I believe. The "braid" at the tip needs to be knotted, then you tie a special knot for each length of line you use. I usually keep each 12' section of line in a Rx bottle - one for a slip float, another for a bottom setup, etc.

3-4 pounds is my guess. Hey, is that little guy in the boat wearing a life vest? Sorry, I'm a protective father of 4 boys, I always require them to wear a PFD... So many things that could go wrong in a boat.

I'm going suggest, too, that you look for a used/last year model. They can be hundreds of dollars less than current models. Have a look at paddleva.com, austinkayak.com, and other sites -- look at their used or demo kayaks for sale. Someone your height/weight, I'd seriously consider a 14' model (or 15). I'm sure you could do fine in a 12 or 13 foot model as well, but would be more cramped.

Welcome aboard!

Awesome catch!

Welcome aboard, Steve! Grad of UNT in Denton, myself! But as they say, once a Texan...

I'm in the 1-1.5 pound guesstimate range.

Welcome aboard! You'll learn opinions of what rod/reel is best will be as varied as the number of insects on the planet. You're best bet is to find out what is popular, then get your hands on them in a "testing" session at a Bass Pro, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, etc. That's the only way you'll find something that you like. Get YOUR hands on the rod/reel combo. What I like may be too heavy for your taste. Or too light, or you might not like the way my fav reel feels in your hands. Bottom line is that you need to make the decision based on your experience, be that on the water, or in a store. I went with Shimano reels after this very type of testing. I tried various reels out on rods at my local Bass Pro, and even went in settled on a President reel. What I found out was that I liked how Shimano reels felt in my hands better than the President. The President gets excellent reviews, don't get me wrong. Just weren't right for me. May or may not be what you like, either. And I also found that the smaller reels were perfect for my liking as well. I didn't/don't like bigger/heavier reels.

We've got telescopic poles from 10' to 20'. The 20 is a little much, but it's also fiberglass, not graphite, so fairly heavy. But we've caught plenty of fish on it. I've had bamboo poles, but just not for me. Guess I'm not a purist, LOL. I think it's cool for anyone who wants to make their own. I just prefer to buy pre-made poles. Bought a number of poles at Walmart. My graphite is the only one I bought online (allfishingbuy.com). Of course, it's the lightest and best of all of the poles I have....

Come across them, as well as a number of others. My faves by far are the Japanese style. But that's me Totally agree. Red/white "bobbers" are so ... yesterday, LOL.

Typical bass fishing on a spinning reel is size 2500. I'm not typical, LOL. I much prefer the weight and size of a 1000 size reel. Never ever once had an issue bringing in bass over 6 pounds in open water, or in sticks, grassy conditions. All depends on what you're comfy with.

Probably the same or similar style of floats. http://www.allfishingbuy.com/Pole-Floats.htm I sent them pictures (many years ago) of the type of floats I was looking for, and they found these for me from a supplier.

Yes!! LOVE using these from time to time. I learned different types of long pole fishing from an elderly Korean gentleman who used to fish at the local reservoir. I would watch how he fished with 3 or 4 long poles at the end of a dock. He had unusual pole floats, and always bottom fished. I've got several of the long floats now (he gave me 2) and have done his style of fishing as well as using slip floats to put the baits in different water levels. My sons and I used to do it a lot. Talk about simplicity and FUN. Anyhow, I did buy an "expensive" graphite pole, 12' long from a company that imports Japanese gear. Caught some great bass on it over the years. Don't do a lot anymore, but sometimes I long for a simple day of relaxing fishing and watching floats either sink, or move (bottom fishing). If you're interested in the site I bought some of my gear from, let me know.

Ryan, one of the reasons I like Shimano reels is they are 6.x:1 ratio. As well, I like the smaller profile spinning reels - usually a 1000 size. Brings in plenty of line for me. I'm also partial to shorter rods for kayak fishing, but it is really a "to-each-his/her-own" type of thing. The longest I use now are 6'6" Carbonlites. Can understand why some love longer rods in the 7' range, but just not for me at this point in my fishing life. But one of my fav kayak fishing rods is a 5'9" Shimano Compre. That thing is fantastic in tight quarters. For $50 to 80, have a go at these reels: Shimano Sahara Shimano Spirex (different type of spinning reel...I have 2) Pflueger President Just my humble .02. Plenty of other reels in that price range. These are just some I looked at. I own the Shimanos all the way up to the Stradic FI reel. For me, Shimanos felt better in my hands. I like the way they reeled, they way the handle was, the balance, etc. But everyone is different. I was very strongly considering the President, but it just didn't feel great *to me*. You may love the President. Tons of folks here do. That's why I encourage you to put your hands on as many rod/reels at a local shop as you can. You are the best arbiter of what you will like fishing with for hours a day out on your yak!

Hi Ryan, and welcome to the forums! Since you're just starting out fishing, you can always start with a less-expensive combo to get used to things, especially when doing so from a kayak. Mistakes happen, rods get lost, etc.... That said, for $150 there are a lot of combos you could buy. I have no experience with Okuma reels, Daiwa rods are pretty decent. I'd head over to a Bass Pro shops or Cabelas, or Gander Mountain, etc., and put your hands on their combos, or talk with someone about good rods/reels to pair. For me, personally, I'd pick a Shimano reel, maybe the Sahara, and a Bass Pro Carbonlite rod to pair it with. However, another excellent, less expensive rod you could hit up is the Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. That's about $50, but a good rod. Then you could look at something like a Shimano Symetre... That's me. Daiwa, Pflueger, and others make great reels, too.