Darren.

Hi Griffin. Welcome to the forums! For questions like that, you'd probably get more advice posting the Q in the Northeast Bass Fishing forum as opposed to introductions.

Welcome to the forums!

FWIW, I was at BPS yesterday and took a look at the D10T. Nice unit. Looked for the Malibu Mini-X, but it wasn't in store (or if it was, it was out of stock). BUT! If it is anything like the Stealth 9, it's built like a tank. Was pretty impressed with the build quality of the Malibu yaks they had in stock.

Welcome to the forums!

I have, in 8lb test. Rarely use it. Find P-Line Floroclear and Yo-Zuri Hybrid to be more than adequate for *my* needs.

Cool! Nice catch.

Let me say that I hear and understand your point. I am not a gear junkie (though my wife thinks otherwise). I predominately fish two (now 3) spinning rigs, and 1 bait casting rig. I have others, but the Lexa is so far and away superior to my Accurists it floors me. Given limited space in my yak, I choose 2-4 rods only. As well, I've got two Shimano Stradics and now a Lexa 2000 spinning reel. I consider the Stradics top shelf, but am completely floored at the quality and fish ability of the Lexa. I can't speak to the longevity of the Lexa. None of us can. But it *feels* as good as, if not better than, my Stradics. So far. I say this to simply draw the point that based on my experience, the Lexa *series* of reels is excellent, especially for the price of entry. I do not own, nor have I fished Lews reels. I can speak for the Lexa compared to my Accurists. But others who have both, as well as Curados, etc., can speak from their experience. Get the one you feel best about. Rent the Lexa from TW if you really want to try it first. There is a YouTube video of a guy that compares a Lews to a Lexa. He loved the feel of the Lexa, but thought the Lews cast light lures better. Perhaps it does. I don't know, may never experience a Lews. I went Lexa and that's that. I'm happy with what it does for my needs.

Yeah... Loud n' clear. I may still give it a go, though! LOL.

On a yak, I'm close enough to the water (unless standing) to quickly lip the fish. However, if my net is handy, I'll use that more times than not.

Congrats. Another skunk down! My turn is a-comin'....

All good replies so far. Fan of shorter rods myself, I've got 6' and 6'6" rods for bait casting. 5'9 and 6'3" spinning. You get used to it from a sitting position. I still have the occasional oops of hitting a rod behind me. But I can also stand in my yak which makes things a little easier. Spinning is definitely easier for me from a seated position but bait casting is no biggie.

Agreed the line looks like too much wound on. But you can also avoid line loops by using braid for your mainline instead of mono, fluoro, etc. Only looping I worry about is braid looping around my tip top. Other than that, management is a breeze so long as you don't over spool the line.

Unfortunately I know nothing about them. Bought mine from a local kayak shop. I know of places like Austin Kayak which has a good reputation....

Rock on, man. Should make for some good fishing....

Welcome to the forums! And a beautiful trophy you have there!

Nice review, Goose. Thanks.

Well done! Better than me so far this year

I'm here! Paired it up with a 6'6" St. Croix Premier, M/F stick. Using 20 lb braid mainline, leaders of various materials and pound tests. Zero problems. Every time I have it out I feel better about the purchase. Love the reel. I use mine for throwing weightless senkos, light to heavy TX rigs, jigs, spinnerbaits, etc. Nothing here is really outside of the possibility, providing your line and rod are capable. Not sure I'd do a MH to throw the weightless stuff unless the rod loads up well. I've never owned a BC reel before that hardly ever backlashes. And when I say backlash for the Lexa, it's not bad at all.

Welcome to the forums, slicker84! Never fished the upper James, but might get an opportunity sometime this year as I've got relatives in the western part of VA close to the JR.

Glad you made it out alive and safe. Definitely invest in a rod leash, or make one yourself out of an old phone car charger cable as I did. Cheap and easy. Google it for DIY stuff. Mine has saved my paddle bacon more than once. And I wear my PFD all the time, FWIW. As I mentioned in another post today, when I hit the water and there's any inclement weather, high winds, etc., (even if it's calm) I always think about my wife and kids and how much they'd want me to make it home. So a little discomfort to ensure my safety for their sake (and mine). I never want to chance whacking my head on the yak, a rock, a log, if I slip and fall over. A PFD is stay-afloat insurance.

That's what you want to hear, Jim McC. Someone who's fished the yak! Better advice there than my only having read reviews. I know there are some Ascend fishermen on the board, so perhaps one of them will chime in with .02 on the D10T so you can weigh it further.

Don't really know enough about the new D10T, but before I bought my first kayak I read a lot of reviews on BPS/Ascend yaks. One complaint that thwarted me was how thin the material was. The new model may be fine, and based on the one review at BPS, seems nice. One thing to consider, the Ascend being a BPS brand may be less in part because of the name. Malibu is a "bigger" brand. I like the offerings of the Ascend. Seems a little more bang-for-buck.

I've been out in my yak in 40 mph winds, white caps, etc. They whipped up out of nowhere (seemingly). Didn't stay out very long, needless to say, fortunately was close to shore. I have learned some pretty good yak control in adverse conditions, but hate battling the wind regardless, so I try to find quiet or quieter spots to fish. Safety is numero uno. I always think about what I have at home (wife, 4 sons) when conditions get bad. Is it worth staying on the water and potentially risking my life (even with a PFD on)? Would hate leaving my family asking why dad didn't get off the water when he knew better.

Dang!

Wow. We've got those here in VA, never caught one myself.