Darren.

Welcome aboard!

Lee Hall Reservoir (Newport News Park). Only known Striper ever caught there, too! The don't stock the species. Biologist told me was likely introduced as a fingerling when stocking other species, or someone dropped it in, or it came in during a flooded period. Either way, it was awesome. Hit a lipless crank I was throwing and had given up on...but it was "one last cast" that I boringly let sink to the bottom when I felt the thud, thought I was snagged, then it took off. Never saw it for 75 yards, thought I foul hooked a huge catfish, or had the bass of a lifetime. Awesome experience.

Welcome to the forums, Alex. Definitely use the Search feature to the upper right on the forum page. There have been a lot of discussions on kayaks for beginners, accessories, etc. You mention Jackson's Big Rig and Pelican Castaway, a pretty big difference in price there. What is your maximum budget? How big are you (answer can help with recommendations for size, etc.), what kind of waters do you fish, etc... More info can help us narrow suggestions down. There are quite a few options out there in many prices ranges.

Welcome aboard, Artie!

Wow, looks like you guys had a great time! I've tried for carp only a few times, not successful, I got pulled about 100 yards in my yak when I caught a 14 lb striper. Awesome ride.

Hey Gary, welcome!

Welcome aboard!

Congrats!

Noticed it's on clearance at TW, as well. BPS has dropped the amount it carries in-store, and that's over the past couple years by my reckoning. No idea if it's being discontinued/replaced. Would like to know as well.

Well... I love my Stradic FI reels, to be honest. I love the lightness when on my Carbonlites, or Compres (cork). I also have a 2000 size Daiwa Lexa that I also like, but the Stradics are clearly lighter. Sahara or Symetre in 1000 size should prove plenty strong enough for almost any bass you could catch.

No experience with that rod, but plenty with 1000 size reels. *LOVE* the size. Prefer it over 2500 size. Plenty strong for bass fishing.

Wow, I use 10 lb PP for all my spinning reels and have only snapped it when it was abraded. Granted, I'm not a swimbait guy, so not used to doing dramatic hooksets. Definitely loosen the drag and see if that helps. I've caught a *lot* of bass 5 - 6+ on 10 lb braid -- but I always (always) use a leader. Just my M.O.

Can I just say how pleasantly surprised I am the Bills are 2 - 0 !!!?? Yeah, only 2 games in, but still. Give a guy a rope...and some hope... LOL

Another 20lb braid user here for baitcasting gear... There have been very few issues with digging in for me on my Chronarch 50e models, or my Lexa. Don't see an issue using 30-40 for your needs/comfort. I just like to go lighter ... 10 lb for spinning, 20 for casting, always a leader, rarely an issue.

Welcome aboard! I second the information from C&G. There is a *LOT* of information on casting reels, how-to's, etc. Spend some time and you'll learn a lot!

The solution, in my opinion, is one on each side. That's what I'm seeing a lot of people doing now to solve issues with wind. I put one on the right side of mine, it has been great, but I will be putting one on the left as well as I encounter just as many days I wish I had one on that side.

Welcome to the forum! Stop by the Introductions forum and say hi, lots of us kayak fisherfolk here. As for the Lure, given it is so new, you might want to talk the yak store you bought it from for ideas. Based on pictures I've looked at, you should have room to install pulleys at the bow and stern - toward very tips of each side. Likely the middle will run over the handle, though, based on the design. Might be a compromise you'd have to make. The only thing they offer on their site is a kayak anchor, can't tell if the bag in the pic has a trolley system or not. A little Googling turned this up (for the Moken, but very similar placement): http://www.yakangler.com/fishing-kayak-review/275-feelfree-moken12-5

Hard for me to say what depth. Wacky, once again, has been the fave method for me. I fish it weightless and weighted and have caught fish on both. Probably more on weightless, so I'll guess that is in the 0-2 foot range give or take.

I would tend to agree. But I tend to fish soft plastics mostly, and when I want the worm in, I can bring it in quickly. Problem is, I wish my favorite reels (Chronarch 50e) were 7.1:1. But I make do.... If I were a wide-range-of-lures-and-such-fisherman, I'd probably like several reels at different ratios. That said, when I do fish a lure, I like either the 50e or my Lexa 7.1:1. Or one of my Stradics.

Lifelong fan of the Stooges!

Welcome to the forums, but I agree with Lou, drop some info on yourself! There's a great bunch of guys and gals here, most of whom do not bite. Florida bassin' is on my bucket list. So one of these days.....

Nice haul of beasties this year!

Nice story! I play a Yamaha APX 7 from 1993 and a Taylor CE412 L7 Dream guitars would be Olson and/or Macpherson.

She's got a great voice. And an OLSON guitar?! Dang, man! Wow.

Welcome aboard, Ernest! And best to your health!