Darren.

I like my new Carbonlites (white) from Bass Pro. $100 range. I'm using 4 now, two for spinning, two for casting. Two black, two white, in each style. They're great, super-light.

Hey Cody, welcome aboard!

Hi Justin, welcome aboard!

Braid + Leader on all my rigs. Spinning: 10b Yellow Power Pro 10-12 XPS Fluoro - or - 6-15 lb copoly (Yo-Zuri Hybrid or P-Line Floroclear) Casting: 20lb Yellow Power Pro Same leaders as above.

Splendid catch!

I'm not sure it will make *that* much of a difference in your catch rate. I use FC on some rigs, copoly on most. You can certainly give it a try and see how it works for you. Sounds like you may be itching to try something different. I know the feeling.

Nicely done!

You're good, man. If you can afford it, and want to spend it, it is your choice. For me, rods in the $100 range, and reels as high as Shimano Chronarch 50e is about my limit. And I look for those on sale, LOL. I also have a wife, 4 boys, 3 dogs, 1 cat, a mess of snakes, 3 cars with 1 paid for...a mortgage, etc. I do what I can with what I have. If I had more money to spend, the Aldeberan would be in my arsenal!

LOL. Funny!

I bought 580G lenses off a reputable seller on ebay. You can find them for less than retail. Still pricey, but mine have been stellar for 2 years running...or is it 3? The glass is so much better (IMO) than poly carb. I've got zero scratches thus far.

Wow, Paul. That's a beast. Fat, well-fed. Nice catch!

Welcome aboard, Rich! Some very good fisheries in Williamsburg, and down in Yorktown/Newport News. Newport News Park is home to Lee Hall Reservoir, and a little further down is Harwood's Mill. Waller Mill Park, Little Creek, etc. up in Wmsbg have great fishing. Have a look here for some local lakes: http://www.bassjons.com/lakes-rivers

Welcome aboard, Brandon!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! This is a *great* site to learn a lot about bass fishing.

Welcome aboard! When I used to attempt to fish for trout up in western NY, I like a short ultra light in the 4'6"-5'5" range because I was fishing heavily treed areas, shorter was better. Only caught one trout, LOL. I was never very good at it. Now bass? 'Nother story.

Great fish, Kevin!

I second this. Thanks to some tips from 21Farms I was able to upgrade both of my 50e's to 7.0:1 reels for about $34. On top of that, I added HawgTech ABEC7 bearings last year. These baby's rock now. Very happy with the upgrades. Might entertain more in the future as I'm invested in them for the long-term. <eye twitches>

They look good. I think they'd get hit.

Welcome!

Welcome aboard!

What about using a longer FC leader? Gary Yamamoto talks about using 25 or so foot leaders....

Congrats! Good catch.

You'll get plenty of different responses. Me? I use braid for mainline and always use a leader of varying pound test. Problems eliminated. Connection knot should be either an Albright or uni-to-uni. I have 100% confidence in my connection knots, and even caught my PB of 7.5 in thick salad on a bait- caster setup with a 10lb leader.

Excellent! Congrats to y'all!