Darren.

You might inspire me, *Hootie. No, not to spend more money, but to use the "H" rod I've got laying around. Actually had it out today for a lovely skunk outing.... But I've been wondering why I have that around. Caught some nice jig bass "around" not "in" heavy cover lately. Maybe I'll buy some stouter jigs and give 'er a try.

That get regular use: Shimano reels (baitcasting) Shimano and Daiwa (spinning) Carbonlite rods (2), Field & Stream (1), Shimano (2)

All my spinning gear is spooled with 10 lb braid. I tie a differing leader poundage depending on what I plan to fish in. But I've fished in downed trees with limbs galore and both caught and lost big bass - 4 pounds and up. I'll tie as heavy as 15 lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid or P-Line Floroclear on now if I'm *planning* to specifically target these spots. But even with heavy line, I've lost fish....so you win some, you lose some. With heavier line, I probably win more.

Just make sure to tie good knots, and be careful in how you tie them. Make sure you use plenty of spit to moisten when you tighten down the knot. If you don't, you can weaken the line at the knot. I'm another one who goes braid mainline with a leader, sometimes fluorocarbon, most times fluoro-coated or bonded copoly line.

Welcome aboard, Anthony!

Great looking combos with matching braid!

I asked about Fish Chris not long back in another thread, too. The other week I was googling him and he showed up, as deak said, in a video for a car stereo system. I guess it was his truck that was tricked out or something....

Congrats!! Cute little pup, too!

Welcome aboard!

Ditto!

No way I could pick one album. My tastes vary too much and often.

Quite true. Has saved me from the skunk many times. And to the OP, great trip, nice fish!

Just bought this last week at BPS. Excellent hemocuts, well-made.

Welcome aboard, JB!

Welcome aboard!

Lovely spot, to be sure. I've only caught perch recently on "accident" while targeting bass. Of course these buggers will bite a variety of lures.... Caught my share, though, up to 2 pounds (huge)!

Welcome aboard, Adam! Nice rod/reel combo there.

If you haven't yet made a decision on this, I'd pick the Lexa. I've got Stradics, and a Lexa 2000SH. They are all excellent reels. And in all honesty, I really like both, but I might pick another Lexa if I was in the market. Or if I had more money, it would be between another Stradic and Daiwa Procyon EX or Ballistic EX. As for size, I'd say you wouldn't be wrong with either a LEXA 2000 or 2500. They're close in size, but the 2000 has a paddle handle while the 2500 has a T handle. I prefer paddles over Ts.

I keep my setups simple - braid for mainline on every one of them. 10lb on spinning, 20 on baitcasting. Then I tie on a leader of varying type (pure fluoro, copoly, etc.) depending on what I want to do. A leader can be anywhere from 24" to way more than that... I find braid so much better to manage than spooling straight fluoro, mono, copoly. In fact, I got out for about 1.5 hours today and I was casting a small swimbait on one of my baitcasters when I hit a bridge during a cast. What a backlash. I haven't had one like that in a long time. But fortunately I had used electrical tape (cast as far as you can, then walk off another 25 or so feet. Place a piece of electrical tape on your spool there.) which saved my bacon and allowed me to pick out the braid. If that were mono, I'd probably had to have cut it out.

I don't have one at my house, but a buddy does and he swears by it. Don't know the brand, but now-a-days there are numerous outfits for different sized families. I've heard nothing but good about them and have considered upgrading at my house, but my layout makes it a bit of a task as I want to have a gas unit, but no gas at that side of the house.

Nice fish. 10 points. 10 points deducted for posting the video.

I have one Lexa 100, and it was my favorite baitcaster until I bought a Shimano Chronarch 50e. That said, it is a fine reel. I need to get mine serviced as the anti-reverse pawl got mangled due to a problem that may be limited to a small number of Lexas. The reel, during a cast, would often engage the spool bringing it to an abrupt halt. I had to learn to hold my thumb on the thumb bar to keep it from engaging. It happened one too many times, though. I took it apart and bent the pawl back into shape, but it still needs replacing. I can still use it, though. I've read of a few others having this problem, but not sure it is wide-spread in the reels. I wouldn't let my experience scare you from a fine reel otherwise.

There are many opinions on braid brands, so do your research and choose carefully because braid isn't cheap. Our opinions here are just that, opinions. Opinions based on experiences. Not all the same. Over the years I've tried several brands and keep returning to regular Power Pro (yellow). That's my preference. Others don't like Power Pro and prefer Sufix 832, or Daiwa Samurai, etc. You probably can't go wrong with any of them. And since you are just starting out with braid, you may stick with the first brand you try. Also, for me, I always tie on a leader be it pure fluorocarbon or a copoly line.

Welcome aboard, Jordan!

Fortunately I didn't even listen that far. My eyes and ears were gone by that point. Gouged out by the aforementioned spoon.