Darren.

Welcome aboard, Gomer!

Welcome aboard, JW!

Welcome aboard, Fran!

Welcome aboard, Jim!

I'd be happy I had a Pro Angler to ride that out.... One reason I never hit the big water in my Ultimate, tho I know many guys do. But it looked like a lot of "fun" anyway. I'm hoping to venture more into the salt side of things this year, but will stay in the coves and rivers. Been told the Poquoson flats are a blast, too.

Welcome aboard, Chris!

The mighty nightcrawler is a sure hit. But so are red wigglers. Fav way to fish for bluegills are on long poles (like cane poles). Absolute blast.

Aye, sir, they work. Senkos, Bass Pro Stik-O (knock offs), Zoom finesse and Trick worms. All of 'em catch bass.

Sounds like a blast, and something I need to plan on doing with my son this summer.

Nice ride!

That's a nice combo which should serve you well. Practice is half the fun. Catching your first bass on one is the other half. Then it becomes just fun. Enjoy it!

Welcome aboard, Dustin! Sounds like an awesome time watching g'pa catch monster sturgeon. Cool!

Welcome aboard, Chris!

Jay, thanks for this topic! It has been extremely interesting. One of my boys has been bugging me to take him gar fishing here in VA (suppose I have to go to the Chickahominy river for that) but I've not known where to start...didn't consider asking on the forum here. Great stuff!

Rest easy, you did what was right.

Nope, never. But I'd be matching that puppy with a black, or green pumpkin Finesse or Trick worm, LOL.

Healthy fish! Congrats!

Leader 99% of the time, for same reasons above, but also because I can switch out pound tests, either light stuff up to heavier line if I'm fishing in the sticks, etc.

Yes, there's a noticeable difference in retrieve, casting, presentation (IMO). I use both spinning and BC, but of late, I use and prefer my Shimano Chronarch 50E on a 6' MF rod for most of my fishing. Why? I guess I just prefer it. Physically I prefer reeling with my right hand, holding the rod with my left (yeah, I could do that with spinning, but it feels so wrong). I can do most everything with my Chronarch that I can with my spinning setups as well. I am by and large, a soft plastics fisherman, with wacky, TX, split shotting being my preferred methods. I use 20 lb test on my BC, 10 on my spinning gear. I use leaders of varying pound test on all the setups. On the physical end, I also don't get as fatigued using the Chronarch as I do with my Stradics/spinning setups. That's me, though. You absolutely do not HAVE to use baitcasting gear for bass fishing. You can do everything you need with spinning gear. Think of it this way, you always have used X-brand of hammer. It pounds nails great, is comfortable, can even rip apart walls and such. Along comes a drywall hammer. Hey, a new tool that might just do what you want a little better than your old hammer. Do you NEED the new drywall hammer? No. Your old one works just fine. But you might find the drywall hammer makes a particular job a little easier.

Welcome aboard!

Watched Larry Dahlberg PR the line in a TW video yesterday. Does seem to have a saltwater bent to it, but as I thought about it -- not that I'd use it, mind you -- having 30" of zero-impact section of line to tie a leader should make that section last for a while. But again, current Power Pro works perfectly fine for me in 10 and 20 lb test. I see no need for this line at this time. Will be interesting to read reviews from people who do use it. Shimano must have done some research and discussion with fishermen before releasing this line.

Another braid + FC leader vote here!

Welcome back, Nicky!

And welcome, Johnny

Welcome aboard, and back to the sport!