Darren.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Hi Josh, welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Shane!

I think when someone says a particular color is "bad" in particular water situations, they are meaning in "general", but not "always in every situation". So a Senko's profile displaces water and does transmit some sound. So if you were pulling it by bass in muddy water, they could likely "hear" the worm, too.

Then do whatever feels best for you and your wallet, by all means! If that means 15 or 20 pound, then go for it!! I understand the job situation and desire to keep all the soft plastics you can buy! The fish don't know what pound test you're fishin'!

With braid, I do not look at equivalent mono size, although I'm aware of it. I rely more on the pound test of the braid. For instance, on all my spinning gear (save 1 reel), I have 10 pound Power Pro (original) in yellow. On my bait casting gear I use 20 pound Power Pro (also yellow). That's PLENTY of strength for the way *I* fish. Despite Power Pro saying 10 or 15 or 20, etc., pound test, the breakage can be much higher. Now if YOU feel better with say 15 pound braid that is like 4 lb mono diameter, then go for it. 10 pound PP is the diameter of 2 pound mono, it is thin. I've not had many problems with it over many years. I caught my PB of 7.5 lbs in thick salad on 10lb Fireline with a 10lb leader (on a bait caster). That line has a 4 lb diameter. And I've caught numerous 6+ pound bass on 10 lb Power Pro in the sticks on spinning gear (including the citation 6.6 lber 22 ¼"er in my avatar). It is stronger than you think.

Yes

Difference in the way it is wound on the spool - or in the way it comes off the spool. If that makes any sense.

Gotta love the Senko/Senko-knockoff baits. They come through (often) when nothing else does!

If I may, braid presents almost zero line management issues. Whereas mono, fluoro, copoly will tend to coil unless you use generous amounts of line conditioner. Personally, I use a braid mainline on all my gear and various types of leaders in varying pound tests for the conditions at hand.

Sounds like a good buy, IMO. I have Stradics (1000FI), and I've got Chronarchs (50e). Love 'em all, enjoy 'em all. For now, my Chronarchs get the most time mostly because they're easier on my elbows. But all around, I think you'll find your choice a much better spinning experience.

Hi, Tim! Welcome aboard!

Good fish, alright! Nicely done!

Wow, dude! Great stuff!

Welcome aboard, Matt!

Hey Tyler, welcome aboard!

Griz, have a look at this guy's stabilizers. He used boat buoys. You might need to have a log in to view pix... http://www.nativeownersgroup.com/showthread.php?12304-Magic-stabilizers-(aka-training-wheels) So here's the Google image search with that image selected. https://www.google.com/search?q=diy+kayak+stabilizer&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=EZXZU-mAPKvjsATz24KICQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1194&bih=993#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=KEovWCBjamxMHM%253A%3BabDWhSGanskBZM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fi27.photobucket.com%252Falbums%252Fc185%252Fterrykatt%252FPC040003.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.nativeownersgroup.com%252Fshowthread.php%253F12304-Magic-stabilizers-(aka-training-wheels)%3B800%3B600

If you want to stay cheap, do this! Deal with the nest at night. Go in with a powerful flashlight and proceed with caution. But the buggers will be dormant. You should be able to deal with them now. Other option -- we did this when I was a kid in the 80s. We were removing a bush in our front yard and BANG, a nasty ground attack from yellow jackets! My Dad or Mom must've called the police and they brought a smoker device and dealt with the nest. Not that they do this in 2014, but they did (in Jersey) in 1981.

Here's pictures of what I used...

Griz- Before I go with boat fenders, see if you can get some lobster buoys. This is what I used when I made outriggers for my canoe. They were awesome. I used PVC - might've been 1/2 or 3/4" inside the buoys, joined with a T to a 1" length of PVC, stuffed with a dowell rod for stiffness. I put each outrigger in a Scotty rod holder drilled out for some removable D pins (brain completely failing me right now as to what they're called). But if you're already committed to the boat fenders, both should provide plenty of buoyancy. The longer ones would supply more. As for the length, what I did was place my canoe (and later a yak) on the ground flat. Then I'd place the outriggers in the Scotty holders to see where they (lobster buoys) just touched the ground - with the yak level. I'd mark the PVC, drill and done. So when you get on the water, your buoys are level, and already providing support with your added weight. From here you can adjust them if needed.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Hey Clif, welcome aboard!

I agree, they look (cheesy) less than St. Croix-ish...