Darren.

Sweet. Nothing like a bass on ultralight gear. Well, maybe there is, but it's still FUN!

Welcome aboard, Luke!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Great looking fish! I'm glad my wife doesn't fish....something she won't beat me at, LOL.

I have recently pared down to two rods on my kayak. I have taken as many as 5, and will take 3 or 4 on rare occasions now. I don't fish "A-Z" in techniques, just a few at a time. Sometimes I wish I had X lure or such with me, but those times are fewer.

Welcome to the forums, Gary!

Thanks everybody. He's stoked. I have three other boys that need to have the experience, too. I will have him read thru this thread, too.

Dude. Nice fish.

Gotta say I'm proud of the laddie. Weighed in at 5 lbs. was right about 20 3/4" long. Pic doesn't do justice He caught it on my Lexa/Premier casting combo. He beat my 4.5 pounder!

Welcome, Alex!

Nice fish!

I had some black plastic dip that I used for some lead weights, worked fine until they got a little heated in the sun... Gave them a more muted 'thud' when they hit stuff. A different sound underwater. Haven't dipped any since. Usually buy painted BPS bullets now-a-days. But I need to stock up on bull-shots by Water Gremlin, and I've thought about painting them, though just for kicks. I catch plenty of fish with the "naked" versions.

x2 on the nice fish! Welcome aboard, Russell!

They can indeed be used for serious fishing, if one is willing. I know of people who that's all they know to use and they catch fish all the time. I've tried it, a number of years ago, but it just wasn't as efficient as say, spinning gear, as far as my style goes. 2 cents...

If you didn't, I suppose we'll read about it in the local newspaper. Never mess with a Sicilian when pizza is on the line!

Funny, guess I was wrong about "in another few days". Mine popped today!! Here we go!

Best is NY or Brooklyn style from an authentic pizzeria if possible. For that style, just gimme a pepperoni. And the pizza slices must not be rigid, must ooze grease. Must be able to semi-fold without drooping at the point end. Minimal crust. Then there is Andy's Pizza down in Newport News which makes a fantastic Buffalo-chicken pizza with blue cheese drizzled on, baked in. Dang I wish I didn't start a low carb diet this week....

Texas. Black, GP+Chartreuse tip, watermelon magic. Second would be wacky. Now for the younger sibling, the Finesse Worm, I'll go wacky first, TX, split shot...and in more colors.

Of all the forums I belong to, THIS one is the one I frequent and post on 98% of the time. Congrats BR, and thanks, Glenn (and team) for all you do to make BR possible.

You know, I have tried the C-rig, but not had a lot of success with it. However, when I feel the tap-tap on say a split-shot rig, I'll reel down and set the hook. I've heard things like "count to three and set the hook at the first tap", etc. I threw a TX rig the other day at an area (I wasn't aware it had beds on it at the time) and kept feeling the (as you describe) crunch. I'd reel down and set the hook to nothing. I knew there were some sticks on the bottom. I changed over to a weighted/weedless wacky rig and BANG there they were. As I paddled over that area to free a snag, I saw the beds (in 6-7' of water!), and then knew the bass were picking up and spitting out my TX rig. So I agree on the feel.

Yellow PP. I do use a leader (FWIW), but the yellow helps with visibility, and when it lays on the surface and a fish nips your bait, the line jumps. That and braid transfers great feel, too.

I think the connection is coincidental since the OP mentioned height as a factor. So I mentioned my height. Your point is well said. I *prefer* shorter rods on up to 6'6" simply for manageability. FOR ME. From my kayak, I found the longer the rod, the more problems I encountered (due to tight areas and such). That's how I fish, that's one reason I prefer shorter rods. If I were fishing surf, I'd be using 8-11' rods to get the bait out there. As it stands, I don't need to make long-distance casts for my fresh water fishing. I've got long-pole graphite and fiberglass rods up to 20' in length. So I'm not opposed to long rods, I just don't use them for my bass angling.

Welcome, Chris! Fellow VA (Hampton Roads area) fisherman here.

Welcome to the site! Line opinions are varied and plentiful! Personally, I'm an original Power Pro fan. I've tried some mentioned already and haven't warmed up to them thus far. My spinning gear has 10 lb test yellow and I tie on various leaders. My main baitcaster has 20 lb test yellow PP and various leader material. Other BC I rarely use has 40lb test green PP + leader...