Darren.

I agree with this, even though I bought the "need" thing before I "knew better"... but then again, I actually like using bait casters now even though they are not a "need", but because I wanted to learn them.

That "cheap" sometimes = headaches and not worth the "cheapness". Inexpensive is a different story. That decent quality can be inexpensive if you know where to look (and this site is a great place to look for that).

Nice review, Jeff!

Brand of braid is up to you. Plenty of great choices, and plenty of highly opinionated responses ahead...LOL. I personally use Power Pro in 10 lb test which is the equivalent of 2 lb test mono in diameter. Many other brands' 10 lb braid is more like 4 lb test diameter mono. That's just an FYI. PP has served me extremely well and I tie leaders from 6-15lb test. Never a problem. I've used other brands of braid and kept coming back to Power Pro, but that doesn't mean it's the best choice for you. But braid is expensive to experiment with. In fact, one of my spinning reels still has 10 lb Berkley Fireline in the bright yellow on it. Been on there for 2 years and works great, though when it is time, I'll replace it with PP, probably. I do use backing, and will use the Albright/Alberto or a uni-to-uni. The Albright has a much thinner profile, better for backing, IMO. Backing simply lets you use less braid and keep it for either a future refill, or to line another reel. Braid-to-leader, same as backing-to-braid. Either or. Both work very well, uni-to-uni is easier to tie, IMO, but I like both. Hit Youtube, or the myriad of knot sites for videos on tying the lines and just practice, practice, practice. Your confidence in knot-tying will increase the more you practice.

Started the morning at 64º here on the Virginia Peninsula... Already down to 57º. Freezing... LOL. Just kidding. We're supposed to drop all day down to around 14º tonight not including wind chill, which is predicted to drop us into the -5 range. I thought I left this nonsense when I left the Rochester, NY area. Sigh..... Ah well, on the bright side, it'll only last for a couple days here.

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome aboard!

Egads!! Why the San Diego Chargers are guaranteed to win the Super Bowl http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/01/san-diego-chargers-super-bowl-stat/

Well, if you like ALL your gear, a kayak may or may not be the boat you want For me my journey has gone from taking some, to taking a TON, to less, and now to what I need. Now "all" is relative. If you had to weigh your tackle, how much would it weigh? Do you have a sit inside, or a sit on top kayak? I have a hybrid with a raised seat. I use either a drawer (rubbermaid type thing), or a 15 quart container which slides under the seat. I either use a few 360 size Plano boxes for worms, packing line, hooks in the container as well. Lately I've gone back to throwing bags of plastics into gallon zip locks, labeling them for "creature baits", "Finesse", "Senkos" etc. Always evolving my tackle-taking methods. I'm never satisfied and constantly look for the "perfect system". So welcome to the club

That's a helpful chart.

Which compares to 2 lb test mono in diameter...

Thanks, A-Jay. Yeah, lip-grippers are a much better method than gill hooks, IMO.

Interesting scale, but also interesting is they're using a lip-grip and not a hook as shown in the picture of the ElectroSamson. Is that a different model? Don't see it listed, well, pictured. May be listed. Also, what do these go for $$ wise?

Depending on where you look, 600yd spools of YZH can be had for ~$10 (eBay). I've got three 600yd spools of YZH in green. I've got a number of 300yd spools of Floroclear in mist green. They'll last me a long time as long as the puppy doesn't use them as chew toys. So while I use both all the time, I tend to prefer Floroclear. Again, I use it strictly as a leader. Others complain Floroclear is awful. Not remotely my experience. I find it to be an excellent leader line... Bottom line is, IMO, both YZH and Floroclear are excellent all-purpose lines.

Welcome aboard!

Lizards are very effective, and if the bass keep hitting them for you, then keep using 'em. I found that lizards are most effective, where I fish, during pre-spawn and spawn, and a little just after spawn. As well, wacky rig a lizard in addition to using it TX, Mojo, or Carolina, and you'll have an entirely different presentation to offer. Wacky rigged watermelon gold flake Zoom lizards have been fantastic here.

Welcome aboard, Clint!

Welcome aboard, fellow kayaker!

Welcome to the forums, Garnet!

Aaaand welcome to the forums!

And there's Wilcox Bait and Tackle in Newport News. They do a ton of fishing, I rarely go there, but the've got a good reputation as far as I know. As for reel repairs, when I check their web site "repairs" were for hunting gear....

I know that BPS will clean reels, but I don't know the quality of repair. Obviously DVT has a great reputation. Bishop's down in lower Yorktown (above rte 64, on route 17) builds his own rods, and I'm pretty sure repairs/cleans reels as well. He's done splendid rod repairs for me. Vast majority of his work is for salt water gear, but he easily handles freshwater as well. Also believe Grafton Fishing Supply repairs/tunes reels. Last time I was there I noticed a sign that they clean/repair reels. They're further up route 17 just below the Denbigh Blvd crossing (across from the Farm Fresh). Also predominately salt water, but does both.

I'll just welcome you to the forums! Others will answer this oft-asked question (but that's just fine).

Android is "open" source...kindof and not really totally, entirely open... http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/10/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/ Fragmentation hurts Android more than iOS because every Android phone manufacturer can tweak/customize the source to their delight. Break the Android grip via something like Cyanogenmod (awesome), you break warranty (assuming you're in contract). Likewise with jailbreaking iPhone. As well, say you have an HTC phone on Verizon... Google releases new version of Android, but your HTC on Verizon won't see new version IF and UNTIL HTC has tested it, and then Verizon has to test it to make sure it will maintain user experience on their network. The only way around it is to opt for a Google Nexus phone which will get updates as Google releases them.

You must. Which means you also must be super-human. Because Lebron is super-human.