Darren.

Sierra Nevada is a darn good brewery. I tried the rye and it was good. Also tried their bigfoot, was pretty bitter, but something I could enjoy from time to time. Buddy of mine said it was the absolute worst beer he'd ever tried, tho. And he lived in Belgium for about 10 years, so he does know good brews. Guess that means I don't, LOL.

I definitely prefer a lighter approach, thanks in part to Gary Yamamoto's articles on his spinning techniques in which he touts 10 lb braid being capable for most bass angling needs. So I normally use M powered rods and 10 or 20 lb test braid plus leader, that's on spinning and baitcasting. I've horsed some pretty hefty bass out of thick slop and woody areas on spinning gear with 10 lb braid. I've also lost my share of beauties....

I can answer #1, but not #2 as I kayak fish. On baitcasters, the way I grip the rod and reel I usually let the rod tell me, and/or I line watch. Sometimes I subconsciously wrap my index finger around the front of the BC, just below the line and feel it that way... but it isn't something I do (like Hank Parker does) to feel strikes. Spinning gear is always line watching/rod feeling.

Don't think you'd go wrong either way.

I vary, spooling most of my reels with braid mainline, the "vary" can last a long time. Unless, of course, there's a completely unsolvable professional overrun on my baitcasters. Spinning reels go for at least 1-2 years barring no bizarre knots of no return.

By all means! I'm with ya!

Just for kicks, I handled a few Rage rods at BPS last night. Pretty nice. My opinion is changing/warming to them. The grips are nice, although I think I'm still a cork guy. The Avids were even nicer, though. So if I had the $ to spend, I'd probably go for the Avid. Was impressed with the Daiwa T rods, too. Really light and felt great for the price.

Great, look forward to what you get. Be sure to let us know, show it off, share pix, and be sure to slime it up and post pix! I spent months looking before I got the Native Ultimate. Changed my mind a few times, but did spend time in it as well as a few others in my price range before making my final decision. I've been very happy with it.

Already welcomed him in the thread, but since this is "official": x2!

On my Native Ultimate 12 I have a modified trolling setup, similar to how bassyaks.com does theirs. I've rigged my footpedals to be my steering, raise/lower motor, and have made a modified switch that I've rigged up next to me to go forward 5, reverse 2. It is a great setup, but I often think I'd prefer the Hobie pedal method (over the bicycle style that Native uses on their pedal yaks). I need to take some new pix, but here's an old one with an old bass pro predator trolling motor mounted.

Hi Jim! Welcome to the forums! Enjoy your show on NBC Sports!

Agreed. Ya figure when the department manager says so, it is so. I should know better.

Right, I should have said pedaled, in response to his saying "foot controlled". I differentiated to say it is foot powered and steering is at your hands. I've got enough drool on the Pro Angler from the web and Appomattox River Company that I could probably fill a small pond.

Powered. You control steering on your right or left hand. Here's the link to the PA12. http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/mirage/pro-angler-12/ And there's more storage than you can shake an Ugly Stik at.

Here's a fun one: http://connect.capstonepub.com/2011/09/commas-save-lives-a-plea-for-punctuation-.html

Joey the Flacco! I heard they were interested a while back, but it was just "interest" and not even close to likely. Which...would align to your second sentence. Off to Google to look it up....

Nice pix, Fish.

Adam Schefter just tweeted this:

Unless I'm missing it, I can't find the "Rogue Pro" on lurenet, which smithwicklures.com directs you to. I was under the impression it was new as they weren't on the shelves yet at BPS.

True. KC should be good with the #1 draft. Can't imagine they gave that up for Smith. Terms won't be disclosed until 12 March, tho. I'm just hoping the Bills grab the best player available at #8. Scared they may reach for Geno Smith or someone that has great talent, but may not be able to play in the swirling tundra of Buffalo. Rather see Buffalo grab Cordarelle Patterson and give Stevie J some breathing room on the other side of the field.

Seriously jealous. Wish I could buy the PA 12. Tired of paddling (elbow pain) and tired of hoisting a trolling motor + battery around. Rather use foot power. Unfortunately it is way out of my price range, not to mention the fact my wife keeps reminding me what I spent on my U12 a couple years ago. No way in H-E-double hockey sticks she'd allow me to spend $2500-2700 unless we won the lottery.

The Walrus!! Man, I've not heard Reid called that before, hilarious! No doubt KC is better with Smith and the QB master at the helm. They should be tough next season.

That's true, Tony. My new Premier is a M, but definitely a tad stiffer than my other M rated rods. I was at BPS last night and handled a Daiwa T (the blue and black rods) and boy are they nice for the money, too.

Well, guess the Bills will definitely be getting a QB in the draft as ESPN is saying Alex Smith goes to Andy Reid and the Chiefs... Good for him and KC fans. Here's the report: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/8995035/san-francisco-49ers-agree-trade-alex-smith-kansas-city-chiefs-source

I never seem to be in the right place at the right time for deals like that. Maybe it's a good thing, because I'd probably have left a paper trail!