Darren.

Since it's your first post here, let me say welcome to the forums! Good deal on the Citica, but I'd grab the Curado for $99 if it was available.

Welcome to the site!

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

This is what I was gonna say! Sooo, x2

I'm also 5'6" ish (on the + side) and I use a 12 foot Native Ultimate. But it's beyond your stated price range. Depends on what you're looking to do, like flyfisher suggested. If you have a kayak store in your area, see if they're having a demo days event any time this spring (or whenever), where you can get in several models and test them on the water. If not, most stores will let you sit in them in-store to test out how they feel.

Welcome to the forums!

Do whatever you're most comfortable with. Not everyone wants/likes to fish 10# test, especially Power Pro given it is only 2# diameter equivalent. That's a seriously thin line. I have had a few wind knots with 10#. They're a pain. Bowing can certainly be an issue, but I (try to) keep the casts low trajectory and put the rod tip down right away. As for "snapping", yes, it can. I've caught some big bass with knots in the line, drag and playing the fish were the solutions. I've also snagged a number of times, but the line is very tough to break on a steady pull. I've straightened hooks on many different leaders. Quick, hard jerks of the line is a different force on the line and can snap it at the knots, or any abraded spots. Of course this isn't 100% of the time. Steady pulls can snap at the knots, too, depends... Just my experiences with the line. 20# goes on my baitcasting gear, light by some standards, but more than strong enough to bring in some big fish, logs, and waterlogged boots. My PB was caught on an older BC I've got that I had spooled with 10lb Fireline + 10lb YoZuri Hybrid leader, caught the 7.5 beastie who came in with another couple pounds of thick salad slop. Lines held up fantastically. You sound like you've got a good plan with what you want to do. That's what's important. Fish like YOU want to, not how I do it. But if you have a few minutes, this might give you some additional insight, from Gary Yamamoto: http://www.insideline.net/weeklynews/2008/08-0529.html. It helped me.

Welcome aboard!

I don't do resolutions, and I usually don't set goals, but I suppose every year I aim for a new PB. Overall, fishing to me is about enjoyment, getting outside, becoming proficient at the sport/hobby. I don't do tourney fishing, for me it's all about having fun and loving the sport.

The more I look at it, I'm thinking the better part of 8. But nearly impossible to tell without measurements or a weight. My bass (avatar) was also skinny, but 22 ¼" long. Dwight's was feeding extremely well, no idea the length.

Welcome aboard to another Virginian!

Welcome aboard, fellow Virginian!

I'm with Dwight, 7-8 pounds. The bass in my avatar was 6.6 pounds and over 22". Yours definitely looks bigger.

Thought I'd add that the only time I've seen actual leader material used is, like Snook said, for off-shore fishing.

Like others have said, no need to buy Leader-specific spool. Filler spools will cost less for a lot more, thus lasting you a long time as a leader material. I'm pretty simple with my setups: Spinning: 10 lb braid Leaders anywhere from 6-15 lb test Casting: 20 lb braid Leaders anywhere from 10-15 lb test

Yup, good idea. Was just responding to where it was close to the Lexa price....

Would you put the Tatula a step below the Chronarch in terms of smoothness, or about even?

Does anyone have both a Tatula and a Chronarch? I've got the 50e, and it is light years beyond the Lexa in terms of smoothness. Just curiosity speaking here. I like my Lexa plenty, and agree, it could be squeezed out of the market now that the Exceler is basically the same thing, minus a bearing or two.

I just did a quick search on ebay, and that's where you can find a Tatula for close to $100....

Nice comparison. Different perspective than I saw elsewhere that made the Tatula look ginormous next to the Lexa.

Is the size that dramatic? I've got relatively smaller hands, so curious (until i can hands-on for myself).

Welcome to the forums, John!

Well, I've got a Lexa 100 and love the size. The one reason I didn't look at a Tatula early on was the picture comparison I saw over at TT forums. The Tatula was huge by comparison. However, i still want to get my hands on one at BPS to more accurately tell the difference. Photo perspective doesn't always prove true-to-life.