Darren.

Since I spool all my reels with braid, I don't respool for a long time. Couple reels are going on 2 years. Only if there's a massive birds nest which needs to be cut out will I spool earlier. I always use a leader and tie those on pretty regularly, should one be in bad shape....

I'm kinda in on it. Got a River Monsters on right now, in fact, and they announced tonight's show is a repeat of the Loch Ness show... already seen it twice, so I'm passing on that one.

Fantastic, and way to start your life together! Remember, "happy wife, happy life"! And she fishes, too. So great start!

LOL, great fish, great moments in fish photography!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Gregg!

Welcome aboard!

I use 20# braid on my baitcaster setups, and everyone gets a leader of varying diameter. Normally I'll only go as low as 8lb leader and as high as 15lb. Albright (or reverse) is normally 7-9 wraps up the line, and 4-7 back down. Also will use the uni-to-uni from time to time.

In another answer I posted (different discussion), I mentioned that the curling doesn't get any better after fishing for a while. YZH 15 doesn't straighten out, unfortunately. Now P-Line Floroclear in 15# is fantastic. YZH is a different animal.

Sooo many suggestions. I can only speak to the fluoro I've tried: 1) Bass Pro XPS fluoro 2) Seaguar Red Label XPS fluoro hasn't really *technically* let me down yet. If it gets hung, or frayed, you must retie, that's all I can say.

YZH is strong stuff, and it is also not limp. Since you bought it, see if you can get some KVD Line & Lure conditioner to spray on it, should help it with all the loops you'll find. I have been using YZH in 15lb test (leader only) some times and am shocked by the amount of line curling even a 6' leader length has.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

This is so true. I've got a pretty good handle (at least I think so) on colors that work well in the local reservoirs I fish. But the interesting thing is I talk to other people and their success comes on completely different colors, some of which never work for me. To the OP, natural colors (IMO) work best, the watermelons, green pumpkins, blacks, etc. Variations on those themes may or may not work as well. Personally I like watermelon magic, green pumpkin magic, GP Gold flake (zoom trick), GP + chartreuse tail, straight black, watermelon red flake, gold flake, among my arsenal. And of course Bass Pro's "pepper frog hot orange" color.

Big hoss! Wow, nicely done! The one problem with digiscales is water, in my experience. This is why I really want to buy a Boga!!

Not heard of the uplocking issue, but I wonder if the new Crucials will sport a new reel seat design? I've really liked the Crucials I've held, almost bought one, now I have to wait and see what might be released at ICAST.

Holy cow, those are amazing shots. Wow. Definitely thanks for passing along.

Agree that you should inform the authorities if what they're doing is illegal. Never know what kind of person/people you're dealing with. There are crazies out there!

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you're ready to rock with the boat, thanks to your Grandad (may he rest in peace).

Welcome aboard, Leandro!

Welcome aboard, Sean! And WOW, sounds like you live in Bass Heaven!

And the addiction has only just begun! To Senkos, that is....

Current fav is my Chronarch 50e + BPS Carbonlite 6'6", now about 6'2" (which I actually like better than the original length).

Dog just broke about 4 inches off my new BPS Carbonlite rod, went to local shop for a tip. Love the action on the "new" rod. Replacing the tip is the cheapest option, adding a rod to the ensemble is another. You'll like the Lightning rod -- or go for the Lightning Shock rod, a step up, IMO.