Darren.

Yup, he saw you coming Still. Chronarch is nothing to be snide about. A great reel to be sure.

I catch plenty of bass using 2/0-3/0 for TX rigs with 6-7" baits. Use 4,2,1, and 1/0 for wacky, split, and drop shotting. Caught my PB on a size 1 Gammy wide gap finesse + a 5" Senko last year. FWIW.

Always happy to help!

Welcome, Anthony, and fellow Virginian!

Good work, mate! I'd have done the same thing, heaven knows my boys and I have rescued enough turtles around here from the morons who swerve out of their way to crush a street-crossing critter.

All I can speak to is my own experience, and I did pour a lot of time into my choices. Few of us can test everything out there... $80 rods, check the BPS models lmb suggests, and definitely check the Daiwa T (black/blue). They are super light and get good marks. As well, for $20 more look at shimanos Compre line. Lifetime warranty, solid rods. If you can get to a BPS, grab a Compre, walk over to the Veritas rods, check the St Croix Lineup as well, pick up the Daiwa T and any other rods that strike your fancy. Next, find a reel you like. Again you need to try and see what you like. Obviously there are Pfleuger fans here, Shimano fans and so on. I tried all the reels before hand. IN MY HANDS, Shimano felt the best. The only one I didn't try in store was the Daiwa Lexa. And I love it. You can find one on eBay for around $100. Incredible reel for the money. I have mostly Shimano now, but in the future, I will probably get another Lexa... Finally, and BPS will let you do this, try the reel (reels) on each rod and see how you like the feel and balance. You aren't fishing MY favorite rig, you want to find your own. So only you can decide which feels best. With rods and reels it is a "to each his/her own" thing. For some, a heavy tip is preferred, others like me, a light tip. So best thing you can do is pick them up yourself. Hope this helps.

What's a "good price" in what you are looking for. You'll get a huge range leaving it wide open

There are ways to get in a "boat" on the cheap. My first canoe was (still have it) a used 16' Grumman aluminum, picked it up for $75. Was advertised in someone's yard! Today there's Craigslist, etc. Deals can be found, tho you may have to be patient in order to find one. Bought some wood paddles, life vests, inexpensive cartop carrier blocks, and so began my ability to get off the shore... Since then I've moved on to kayaking. Still do shore-bound fishing from time to time, but I take my yak out whenever I can. Definitely opens up a new world as GeorgiaBassBros said.

Sweet, Hooligan.

Holy smokes guys, all this Mendon Ponds talk is bringing back memories for me. Visited the park a LOT for winter sledding as a kid, can't recall ever fishing there, but I did sail a time or two as a young teen. Sorry, just reminiscing, not helping out much...

My Stradics have been dunked. No problems with binding, although I've read of issues with older models...

IMHO, Compre for lifetime warranty, and it is quite nice to fish with. Would also consider a Rage seriously, given quality of St. Croix. Or I'd look for a used Avid at the $150 range.

That's great! I've got two Spirex reels the kids mostly use in salt water now. No problems to report.

Need you to transport some of those monsters to Virginia for breeding purposes. We need a "Virginia-strain" in addition to Texas, Florida, and California strains of bass.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome, Soxpac!

Good answers. I'm an "always use a leader" guy, just because it's served me better than straight braid. Plus it keeps my braid going longer since I retie with leader line far more than braid to leader ties...

Senko skills!! Great day!

Splendid day!

Welcome, Jake!

Welcome!

Welcome to another Virginian!!

Welcome, Patrick!

Welcome, Gordy! Virginia, in general, is a great state to fish!!

I'd say Senko/senko-style worms first, Zoom Finesse worms second...