Darren.

I sure hope it isn't expensive. I will need to send in the reel to DVT or a local shop one of these days....

I've actually had this problem a couple of times with my Lexa baitcaster. I press the spool release, keep my thumb on the spool (like I always do as I wind up for a cast), and cast. Immediately the spool release engages and my cast stops in a few feet. It has mainly been irritating (never happens on my other baitcasters).... So yesterday, I wind up and cast the mid-size rattletrap and bang, it kicks in. Next thing the gears are grinding. So I just cast it out one or two more times and suddenly the battle is on. The reel brought in the beast after a long battle, but is still grindy. And FWIW, I use 20lb yellow PP, and belief I had a 10 pound leader on the setup yesterday.

The red pliers? They do have braid snips on them, work OK. They are Bass Pro version, got them at the classic 2 or 3 years back for $19. They are $29 (I think) at this year's classic. For braid I mainly use Boomerang snips.

It was, for sure.

Hit Newport News Park (Lee Hall Reservoir) today for a very short jaunt. I liked the weather conditions so wanted to hit a couple spots close to the boat launch that produced for me. I also wanted to try a Cotton Cordell red spot lipless crank. I haven't caught anything on a lipless in a couple years, so why not. Threw it on a 6' M rod paired with my Daiwa Lexa. On one cast my Lexa went wonky, got grindy in the gears, but still reeled, so I kept casting. On the second cast I hit was seemed a log, but then it moved. And kept moving, pulling my and my kayak, stripping line for about 75 yards before I saw a white body boil up. Until this time I thought I foul hooked a nice largie, but now I thought I might have a huge catfish. I never once thought it could be a striper, they don't stock them here. Anyhow, it finally revealed itself at an estimated 100 yards from where we started. It didn't even fit in my net. Weighed an even 14lbs on my spring scale. The digital scale got wet and wouldn't work.

Reentry is a great idea, done it a few times. Had my boys practice it, too. I just tend to avoid the higher windy days for both safety (wife and 4 boys to come home to), and sheer amount of frustration it can bring on just about everything when fishing, LOL. What a harrowing experience you had, though. Goodness gracious!

Dang. I just re-read the topic. "NO" confidence... Deleted my "worm" reference, since that's my confidence bait, and we'll go with the following: Crankbaits I love these things, but catch so few fish on them it is a shame. I still try, but end up frustrated.

I do fish wacky jigs, and often, along with a weightless setup. Watched a show where Shin Fukae (think it was a FLW tour) was explaining his method with wacky jigs. He'd cast out, let it hit bottom, wait....then do a tip-up with his rod - one - two - three, then let it sink back down again, and repeat until he was out of the strike zone. I've tried that, it works. I also fish it like a normal wacky, only a little faster (since it sinks and moves more quickly).

Wow, I need to check the two close to me. Last time I was in each, they were "Fair-to-Midland" as they say in TX. The DSGs here are usually "ok" in fishing gear, not great. I'd love to see them become a better competitor to BPS, but that's a tall order, as DSGs is all sports, not just fishing and hunting.

I personally did not like UltraSoft that much, preferred regular Hybrid in 6 or 8 lb test for spinning. But FWIW, I use braid for mainline and tie leaders now. But I did use YZH for a while as mainline. Roadwarrior recommends 6lb regular Hybrid (correct me if I'm wrong, rw) on spinning gear....

Hi Brian, welcome aboard!

They're great-looking rods, to be sure. I didn't see any at the Hampton, VA BPS. Don't think they carry them there (yet). Ended up going with 2 Carbonlites, a spinning a casting. So far absolutely love the rods. I'm sure I'd love the Tat as well. But at this point, I like the CLs better than any of my St. Croix rods, including an Avid. Will have to see how the year fishes out with these rods. But the Tats are definitely on the awesome looking list. Can't wait to get my hands on one in-store, if our BPS ever carries them.

Hey, welcome to the forums, Cincy!

Met my wife playing indoor soccer. She would kick me in the shins. She's still awesome 20 years later, and we have 3 of our 4 sons playing travel soccer in our footsteps, LOL.

Welcome to the forums. Lots of good advice to be had here. Stick with it, be patient, try different things. Trek has an interesting suggestion, to find a guide. That'll put you on to some fish and you'll learn some techniques to find them in the future.

Hey Jonathan, welcome aboard!

Right, that's a big consideration. You can only take so much with you on smaller lighter capacity boats.

Ken- I don't fish OKs, but they have a great reputation, and since you get a discount, it seems like a sound decision. You just need to decide the length. What type of waters do you fish? Big water, small reservoirs, rivers, a combination of all? Reason I ask, the longer a yak, more likely the better paddling experience and speed. The shorter yaks are a lot more maneuverable. I fished with a 10' and loved it for that reason. I now fish a 12' hybrid yak and love it even more, all around better experience. That's not to say there aren't fantastic short length fishing kayaks, because there are. And you mention portaging it up hills and such. If you get a longer/heavier yak, you can make (or buy) a trail-ready cart. One called Trailtrekker is available, and it floats. Costs a bit, but could work for you. I made my own.

Probably true. Kayaks have a certain appeal and popularity today whereas in days past, canoes probably held the greatest adventurous spirit. I still have my canoe, but we never use it. Kayaks all the way in my family. Just more fun, individual, kids can work them far easier than a canoe...

Supposed to hit 64 down here on the Peninsula today. Planning (well, hoping) to get out on the yak at some point today.

Feel your pain, and very sorry for your loss.

Wind is awful, I haven't found it to be my friend yet -- when out fishing, that is. But that said, before my better senses kicked in, I've been out in my kayak in 40 mph wind (gusts, steady 25-30). Very close to shore, never again.

Welcome aboard, Steve!

I've used circle hooks for live bait presentations to sunfish, crappie, perch, catfish. Unfortunately, I've had a number of gut hookups, might've used hooks that were too small. But have also had a lot of successful releases where the fish swims off and the hook just sets in the corner of the fishes mouth, which is what it's supposed to do. I never do a hook set unless I've already got the fish, and feel it's needed. Circle hooks are required in a lot of locales, specifically for saltwater fish.

That's too funny! Paddleboard/yak fail. I think we've all been there at some point. I almost capsized last year when my trolling motor pull-up cable (to get motor out of water), fell out of the yak and got tangled around the prop. All this in a heavy wind and deep water with a sharp drop up a steep bank. I think I used a few word my mother would not have approved of that day. Fortunately nothing was lost in terms of equipment.