Darren.

As a fan of both Shimano and Diawa, I will admit to no experience on the water with the X-ship, which both the new Symetre and Saros have. Have heard nothing but good about it. Concerning line management on the Lexa and Stradic FI, they're relatively even, but I'd give the nod to the Lexa for a tighter wind on the spool. Just my experience with the 2 Stradics and 1 Lexa I have. To the OP: I don't think you could go wrong with either the Symetre, Saros, or Lexa. All would be excellent choices, especially if you have any plans to do salt in addition to fresh, as they're all rated either/or. Not sure the Abu are rated for both.

Same experience here. Did not care for YZH US much. Prefer straight YZH hands-down. But again, for me, I'll go P-Line Floroclear first, then YZH. I use both, I like both, have lots of spools of both. Almost always have both on different rods I take with me...just because.

Que the braid brand wars in 3...2...1 Power Pro. <duck for cover!> Sorry, this is a feisty conversation you're asking for. Highly opinionated, and not solved until you find one you like. That said, I've used a number of brands: Power Pro, Berkely, Sufix, etc., and keep coming back to plain old Power Pro. I'm just comfortable with it. I use 10lb test on all my spinning reels, and 20 lb on my bait casting reels. I always tie on a leader varying from 6-15 lb test depending on the conditions. Braid is expensive, so I try to make it last and last, thus the leaders, and I always use backing on my reels.

Welcome aboard, Chuck!

I skipped over the Symetre and Saros in favor of the Stradic. HOWEVER, I think both reels are excellent reels and you really can't go wrong with either one. I'd also throw a Lexa into the mix, as I'd probably choose it if I were picking today. I've got the 2000 series Lexa and find it an excellent reel. So I'm a Shi-Daiwa guy, LOL.

Yes it was mentioned, and you need to go sit in the corner for that middle paragraph.

I'm pro-scent, but there have been times that not even a scent-laden offering made the fish bite any better. At times more fish bit a scented bait for me than a non-scented variety. Was it due to the scent or placement of the bait? Dunno. But I use Megastrike, Bang, JJ's and Yum F2. Or at least I have them all hanging around. Perhaps "use" was the wrong word. I will squeeze Megastrike into a bag of worms and mash it all around. I like how it lubes the worms and such and helps them come through cover better - at least in my experience. I'd say experiment and see what works for you. Like others have said, it can sure help cover up your scent. So that's a bonus.

Welcome aboard, Chris!

A fun endeavor. I made mine using a short square aluminum tube and some black cutting board. Allows me to fold the transducer arm in when I don't need it. For $250, you can find just what you need/want in a FF. Personally, I'd add $50 to that and get a DSI model. Me? I use a cheap Garmin for now.

Welcome aboard!

Can't compete with everyone here, but the Great Wolf Lodge here in Williamsburg has a little pond. We spent a night there and I took one of my long poles (no reel) to the little pond out behind the hotel and caught several nice bass up to 2 pounds.

Lots of $$ invested in the Apple ecosystem, so it's all Apple TV for me and the fam. Same thing can be done from any iDevice

Maaaybe. Depends on the size of plastic you're moving. I use a 4/0 on 6" models, and below that I use a 2/0, and sometimes a 3/0.

Since I don't get the show, what color is it - can you tell?

Not surprising as he gets his hands on all the pre-release gear. Would be nice to see a close-up of it, though.

I owned one for a short time, a 6'6" M spinning rod. Was super light, sensitive, etc. I returned it for something different, cheaper, at the time. I have fished the same rod again (buddy has one), and I do like it. I'm not sure I would buy another one at the price point given that there are other rods on the market that I have liked more. Past tense for the Shimano Compre, previous version with cork. I think the Veritas has a great feel, although I've not fished one. Don't think you'll be disappointed. But definitely get your hands on several different rods when you go. If BPS carries you reel, ask if you can put it on each of the rods (or bring your own reel) so you can feel how it balances to your liking. You might be surprised.

"Fun fishing" is variable for me. Can be when I'm out alone, or bank fishing a small pond with my boys and a friend catching all manner of fish. Fun fishing can be when everyone gets to catch something big or small. I'm a non-tournament fisherman, too. So the sport is for enjoyment, so it can be "fun" all the time, but it isn't, LOL. Sometimes I am my worst competitor and sometimes a nasty birds nest or snag on every cast can make a "fun" outing "not fun".... know what I mean, Vern?

Welcome to the forums, Dave!

That was a perspective picture. I.e., the perspective of the bat in the picture makes it look larger than it is in reality. It is more in the foreground than middle of the picture. Like when you hold a bass far out in front of you, it looks bigger than it is. Unless you went to Lake Baccarac in Mexico, then all bass are that big no matter where you hold it.

Welcome Hervé!

Welcome aboard, Charles!

I have two Stradic 1000FI reels, and a Lexa 2000. I like them all -- a LOT. Been extremely impressed with the smoothness of the Lexa in every aspect, but especially the bail. There's something about it that I like better than all my Shimano reels (also have a Sahara and a couple Spirex reels). The Lexa has a more positive engagement, solid clicking. None of my Shimanos are as good, IMO, as the Lexa here. The Stradics are extremely smooth, and at the price I paid for each, they better be. But the bail arm on one needs to be fixed, I may send it to DVT when I can. If I had to buy a reel today in the price range of the Lexa, I'd very likely pick another Lexa over the Shimano offerings.

If you are talking spinning reels, it shouldn't have any problems. I use 10lb PP as well, and I think I've got either 8 or 10 lb mono backing on each of my spinning reels. Never had any problems with digging. 10lb is pretty light on a bait caster, but not unheard of. I've done it. I prefer 20lb as the 10 can definitely dig in more because of the diameter and nature of how the bait caster reels in the line.

The longest rods I use (currently) are 6'3", and I've got a 1000 on a 6'3" Compre, and one on a 5'9" Compre. The Lexa is on my Avid currently, which *was* 6'3", but is now about 5'9" due to breakage. Will be traded in under warranty when I can do so. Not sure what length I'll get, and if I'll cross-trade for a 6'2" casting rod. Now before you say "ha! shorter rods is why they balance!" realize I've also paired these same reels in-store on 6'6" to 6'8" rods of various brands. The Stradic was amazingly balanced on several, including the BPS Carbonlite in those lengths (which was a great balance). I'm between 5'6" and 5'7", and just happen to prefer the shorter rods for the type of kayak fishing I do. Hate my rods getting tied up in low-lying trees, bushes and such. Balance to me is probably similar to you, I want the tip to be up around the 10 o'clock location, or 45 to 50 degrees up from horizontal. And depending on the length of the rod, and comfort, I too will put my hand above the reel. But typically I wrap my pinky around the reel stem. Definitely want the weight to the back of my combo. Just my preference.

Mark's right IMO. I use braid on all my reels, spinning and bait casting, and use mono backing. Now if I had a shallow spool, like they have on a lot of reels in Japan, that are designed for braid -- probably straight braid. But for me, money is an issue, so I stretch a 300yd spool of braid as far as I can.