Darren.

That was a good deal! We've gotten absolute "steals" at DSG from time to time. Sale items that are even cheaper than advertised when we get to checkout. Love those times!

Bummer, man! Sadly, these things happen from time to time. Was your drag set too tight, by chance?

Welcoma aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome, Jake!

I went with a Chronarch 50e. Love it.

A leader is/can be used for more than just that. Depending on the material (mono, fluorocarbon), you can use a leader to 1) preserve your investment in braid by only changing out the leader as needed 2) use a leader with braid for abrasion resistance if you're fishing in rocks, shells, etc. 3) use a leader for easily spooked fish - some feel braid being a solid can spook fish, so a leader can help there... 4) ... there's more others can add

Red Label has fans, it is inexpensive, but my experience is/was mixed. If you can find XPS Fluoro on sale at BPS, it is a very good FC. But I'll second Hooligan with P-Line Floroclear in mist green. It is only coated, while Yo-Zuri Hybrid is bonded copoly+FC. I prefer P-Line over YZ. I've been using XPS FC this year, have had good and bad experiences, but I'm thinking the bad is that I'm treating it like it is P-Line or Yo-Zuri. By that I mean pure FC (IMO) has to be treated differently than copoly or fluoro coated/bonded lines. And keep in mind, I use it as leader only, braid is my mainline. So if I haul in a heavy branch, I need to consider replacing the leader. Line nicks, replace the leader.... As well, since this is your first posting on the site, consider stopping by the Introductions thread and tell us a little about yourself!

Welcome, Ryan!

Chronarch 50e for me. I love this reel for soft plastics. I can throw stuff as light as weightless Zoom Finesse worms (with a size 2 Gammy Wide Gap Finesse hook). Granted, not as far as spinning gear, but as I've said before, if I need to throw 'em on the 50e, I can throw them far enough.

You bet! I've watched big carp being caught on closed face Zebcos (old ones). If you play the fish right, you can catch it.

True. She's a fine woman, my wife. I owe her quite a bit to make up for the fishing gear I've bought she knows about.

Too much. I don't know. I don't want to know. My wife has suspicions....

Nice fish, and sounds like a great vacation, Corey!

PB, no, but awesome catches, yes. Now my iPhone 5 is in a Lifeproof case and always with me. Well, almost always. LOL.

Very cool fish, man!

Spirex are fine reels. I have two of them, mostly used by my boys now, as I tend to use my Shimano Stradics and Daiwa Lexa when spinning. The trigger system works flawlessly on both of my Spirex reels, both are about 3 years old now, and used in fresh and saltwater. As for size, mine are a 1000RG and 2500FG. The smaller is a rear drag model, the larger, a front drag. IF you need to adjust drag, the rear drag model is awesome for that. Both are plenty strong and have hauled in some good sized bass, hefty cats, saltwater fish up to 6 pounds (so far)... Personally, I see no need to go above a 2500 sized reel for bass fishing. I've caught numerous bass in the 4-6+ pound range on my 1000 sized Shimanos. No problems whatsoever. I also use 10 lb braid for mainline, so I get plenty of line on a smaller spool.

Yes, it is, but is not always an out for me.

Excellent video!

My answer to "bigger baits = bigger fish" is simply this: sometimes yes, sometimes no. Maybe for someone bigger/bigger is always been true. But that simply hasn't been my experience.

I'll agree with Bluebasser, the USUL is a pretty whippy noodle of a rod. I've got 2 Ugly Stik LITEs (way better than original US's, IMO), in L action, and M. But the L is still noodly. I've used it for bass fishing, and it works, but it ain't good for a solid hookset. Can be done, though. My boys will use them sometimes for bass fishing. The M is a decent rod, to be honest. If feel isn't necessary for what you're doing, the Ugly Stik works fine. As well, we'll use our Ugly Stik Lites for salt and fresh water live bait situations most often now. They excel there since fish tend to hook themselves in that scenario.

x2!! Let's see it!

Never done it that way. Always the otherway around. Braid mainline, FC, copoly leader.

Welcome aboard, Erich!

Welcome, Mark!