Darren.

Congrats! You'll really enjoy it, I think. And when you dig out a birds nest, the line doesn't kink as it does with mono/fluoro which can weaken the line. I can only recall one birds nest so bad with braid that I had to cut it out. I've had nasty ones since, but each and every one I've been able to resolve.

I'm afraid my wife is trying to get ME to understand that.

That's cool, and entirely valid.

#Lovin'VA

Welcome aboard!

Hey Jared, welcome aboard!

I've become a big fan of Shimano, especially their baitcasters. Got 2 Stradic 1000 FI reels and 2 Chronarch 50e reels. The 50e reels are absolutely amazing. I really like the Stradics -- a lot. They're light and fully capable of reeling in 6+ pound bass with nary a hitch. The Smokes I've only heard about in reviews and such. I'm sure they're great reels, and light. But when I went in to BPS to buy spinning reels I left with the Stradic. Something about the quality, the feel, etc. Haven't been disappointed. The Quantums felt like solid reels but something drew me to the Shimano reels. I also like Daiwa. But If you are flipping a coin, good luck. For me, I'd pick the Shimano.

Merely the 12th man, gang green, limb about to be amputated. Rest assured, the Pats have the edge.

Yup.

Most of my jig fish have been caught on M/F rods, not XF. That said, I think an XF can work with the right line(s).

Not hard for me, but maybe not what you're looking for - Shimano Chronarch 50e. The combos I have (2) both with 6'6" BPS Carbonlites are amazingly light. One is a ML/F, the other M/F.

Let me just say that on a neutral field, the Pats will beat the Packers. Did I just say that?!

Oh man, I'm sooooo sorrry... no, not really. You probably have amazing reels in hand. I've been drooling over the customizations at Hedgehog. My Chronarch 50e reels are beyond my reach after I finish customizing them at Hedgehog. Glad I don't have the money to follow thru. Curse the one who first turned me on to that site!!! GAAAAH!!

Stay away from Japanese customizing sites!! Preserve your sanity and your retirement fund!

I can understand that. I have used all these lines as leaders, not mainline. Although early on I did use Floroclear as a mainline, I haven't for years. So much better as a leader.

Same here. I have never used a Tatula, but that's probably closest I can get for a quality reel...even tho it is too large for my taste....

I was always on to P-Line's Floroclear, but for some strange reason I bought like 3 or 4 600 yard spools of Yo-Zuri Hybrid off of ebay. Hence my lack of need for other lines --- for a long time, LOL. But I've still got several spools of P-line. Never tried the CX, always went the Floroclear route. Not sure when I'll try anything else beside YZH, Floroclear and XPS fluorocarbon.

I use braid on every reel I use. So much better for line management. I can only recount 1 backlash so bad with braid, that I had to cut it out. But with mono or copoly, the cut outs were more frequent. With braid, I can get just about every backlash out. I use 20lb Power Pro. 30 is great as well. Use the remainder of your fluoro spool as leader material! Will be a much better scenario - IMHO!!

Of those two, Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Has treated me very well

Posted a link to their nets in another thread. They're definitely Rolls Royce of nets. Light, floating, strong, at the cost of 2 arms, 1 leg, and your left eyeball, LOL.

Unfortunately it is no longer made... Previous generation Shimano Crucial 6'5" dropshot rod.

First time I root for the Pats and they let me down. ... Oh well, moving on, LOL!! GO BILLS! Three of the toughest teams in the NFL over the next 3 weeks. Hooo boy.

Looks very interesting. Only have one prop-bait, a topwater, but haven't caught anything on it.

I'm with Lou, rods n' reels. More reels than rods, but...well there ya go.

In 8 feet you could do a lot of different things. Wacky rig, drop shot, splitshot rig with a small minnow as bait... Or jig. Since you've got previous confidence in it, why not go with it!