Darren.

If your fish is long and skinny, measuring 22" or beyond, it's a citation. If your fish is 18" and 8 lbs, it's also a citation. Dang fat lady there!

Nice hookup! Nice jig.

Hey BigKev, welcome aboard!

I throw weightless on a variety of rigs. Mostly Medium Fast or Medium Xtra Fast action either spinning or casting, ranging from 5'9" to 6'6" Shimano Compre, Carbonlites, and Field & Stream rods.

Ha. I'm gonna say Mike will suggest a hot bath with epsom salts Quite an interesting day for you, though. Can't help you with a Windows phone though....

Oh, and welcome to the forums!

If you can score a Stradic FJ for $135, its a no brainer. I have Stradic FI models as well as a Lexa 2000. The Lexa is a *very* smooth reel, and well worth the money - you can find it in the $100 range on ebay. That said, if lightness is your game, the Stradic, Symetre are good bets. Procyon has good reviews, too. Me, I'd pick the Stradic FJ if I could get it for the price suggested above.

I'm with ya! When I've had home brew from a bud, I always give the bottle back. AND I give empty bottles of store bought brews to him as well. He's stopped brewing lately, but this was the norm for a while. Simple courtesy, IMO.

I agree with you, I don't see the need for heavy braid - the heaviest I have on a reel is (I believe) 30lb test, but I don't use that for much of anything. My spinning gear is fitted with 10 lb test PowerPro, and my casting gear is 20 lb test PowerPro. I've winched some pretty nice fish with these setups. I use a leader on all of them, anywhere from 6-15lb test.

That I *use* -- Spinning: 5'9" MXF Casting: 6' MF I've got rods down to 3', and all the way out to 20' (telescopic no-reel pole).

For a while I did pre-tie some drop shot rigs, put them in sandwich-size ziploc bags with the size hook and line that was in it. The Lindy rigger snell holder is a great option to store leaders on. You can buy a 360 size box with three of these in them. http://www.basspro.com/Lindy-Rigger-Snell-Holder/product/72799/

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Excellent that you found what works for YOU! That's the whole experience. And you'll really enjoy it, I'm sure.

10lb PowerPro has a 2lb diameter, most other braids 10lb have a 4lb diameter -- FWIW.

I always start out with mono backing, keeps the braid from slipping. As well, I've used 10lb braid with bait casters, it is on the thin side and could dig in a bit. But it is do-able. I caught my PB on a BC spooled with 10lb braid, although it was a different brand, and more like 4 lb diameter as opposed to PP's 2 lb diameter. I now use 20lb on my BCs, FWIW.

I just picked up a second Chronarch 50e with my Bass Pro points, plus a $20 off coupon. Absolutely love the reels. For me it is more about reel quality and total weight of my setups now. The 7.1 oz of the 50e pairs great with my carbonlite. So very light, can be used for hours w/o fatigue. The new reel is on an older 6' M/F Field & Stream rod, also pretty light, to be used for cranks and other rigs.

A fine yak. I wouldn't be standing in it without pontoons, but it would serve you well, methinks.

Of those, I'd pick the PQ....

Welcome aboard!

Bill, I love my Stradic 1000FI on a 5'9" rod. I've got a Daiwa Lexa, and did look at the Procyon, but for some reason couldn't pull the trigger. I've seen negative reviews online, but there's negative reviews for almost anything now-a-days. I'm slowly changing out my heavier gear for lighter gear, typically more expensive. It is so much better on my elbows and being out for long periods of time. For $107, it might just be a great reel to work with. Maybe folks who have a Procyon will chime in. For about $20 more (or even less) you can get a Shimano Saros on ebay with X-ship (double bearing supported pinion gear) for better cranking when under load. Just FWIW.... The Procyon 1500 is 8.5 oz, the Saros 1000 is 7.1, but jumps to 9.3 for a 2500.

Fantastic! Where'd you catch her? I pulled in a 22 1/4" 6.6 pounder in my avatar last fall at Lee Hall Reservoir (NNPK). One of many 6+ fish I've caught there. My PB was at Harwood's Mill a couple years back.

Welcome aboard! This is the place for fishing addicts. You'll fit right in.

I have yet to catch a carp, even the few times I targeted them! Guess that means this is my year, LOL.

Welcome to the forums, Jason! I like to start newbies out with simple setups, simple baits, simple rigging. The one that also happens to catch the most fish, IMO, is the wacky rig. Spinning gear will work perfectly for this. Simply tie on a sharp hook (I like wacky-specific hooks) with a Palomar knot. Before you tighten the knot, wet it down like you probably do for cat fishing. Next, rig a stick bait like a 4 or 5" Senko, or Stik-o (bass pro) in a common color like watermelon, green pumpkin, black, etc. bend the worm in half and hook it (perpendicular) in the bend. Cast it out into downed trees, other structure and let it slowly sink. Be patient, and occasionally lift your rod, then let the worm fall again. If nothing, reel in and try again. When you feel the tell tale hit, reel down and sweep your rod, don't do a big jerk hook set. Plenty more advice to come from the folks here. Oh, and besides the articles on this site, Google is your best friend.