Darren.

Whatever you find, I would absolutely buy a pair of Cablz retainers. I now have the adjustable version and they're awesome. Hold is super tight. Have tried a number of eyewear retention styles and the Cablz is the best (and original). Even Costa makes a $10 knock off, but not as good, IMHO.... FWIW.

If you don't mind, so on the North American version, can you look up a specific lake or reservoir in order to see if it has a topographic map? Reason I ask, the reservoirs I fish don't have any topo maps - well, I bought one from the ranger station, but it wasn't very helpful... So I was looking to see if Navionics was every lake everywhere (exception of private ponds and stuff, I'd assume).

That's a heart breaking loss, J. My first purchase after buying my Costas was 14" Cablz. I just bought 12" adjustable Cablz and what a big difference. I feel far more secure. Hopefully they'll be secure enough to not find their way to the bottom of one of the local reservoirs or the Chesapeake Bay.

$10 isn't bad. I was just looking at it on my iPad, the HD version is $50! I'd like to know if my local reservoirs are in the database before I buy.

Welcome to the site!

That's a sweet deal!

Only once has my wife gone out fishing with me - that I can remember. We've taken the boys when they were younger, but she didn't fish then. Bought her a license, a kayak, but she's just not into it as a hobby like I am. Would I love to take her more. Heck, yeah. I wish she'd get as fired up about it as I am, but alas, it just isn't so.

All good suggestions. I really liked the $35 XPS sunnies I had; however, if I didn't decide to change to Costas, I'd probably go for Strike King, Berkleys, etc. My kids have used these from Walmart and they are okay.

Probably truer than not. Dealing with people in forums can be an experience not unlike the Presidency. Premature graying of the hair with all the crap you have to deal with.

Good lookin' paint job!

As far as brand, I've used both Motorguide and Minn Kota. I like Minn Kota better. But there are folks here who have far more trolling motor experience than I, so...fwiw. You could move a 17' boat with a 30 lb thrust if you want to go as cheap as you can.

Nice hogs, Dwight!

Welcome, Jessica, fellow kayaker!

Yeah, that's a nice catch, man.

At least you are catching!

Straight from the Compre family of rods at Shimano: http://fish.shimano.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/index/products/rods/freshwater/Compre_Family.html "This series was created for the Hard Core Bass, Musky, and Inshore Fisherman. Shimano Created technique specific rods for a wide variety of the best fishing techniques used in today’s fishing environment. The Bass rods cover Worm, Jig, Drop Shot, Crankbait, Spinnerbait, Top Water, and Flip Pitch Punch Rods. The Musky Rods cover everything from small bait applications up to the Giant Sized baits used today. Inshore rods created for Reds, Trout, Snook, and Tarpon. All Compre rods are built out of IM-9 Graphite and come with Shimano Custom Reel seats and Fuji Guides. All backed by Shimano limited lifetime over the counter replacement policy."

Mine said limited lifetime, do you mean the no ?s for the first year only? Talked to a dealer/rod builder who sells Compres and he told me lifetime replacement... BPS fishing managers in Hampton and Richmond told me lifetime OTC...

That's a great reel. Will serve you well. Congrats!

Very slick paint job. Will look gorgeous on a Veritas.

I stand corrected! Although I did mean to say "most" because I knew that to be the case. Muchas gracias, Hooligan!

Take it in to a local store like BPS if you have one.They'll exchange it over the counter. Shimano rods are limited lifetime OTC....

$80 can go a long ways at BPS, especially at the Spring Classic. Sounds like jigs are a need, plastics (you can experiment with brands) and perhaps terminal tackle -- sinkers, hooks, etc. Definitely go in with a plan!

Agreed. Unless you're a glutton for backlashes and cussing, start heavier, then work your way down to the weightless stuff. IMHO. I attempted light lure tossing with my Accurists, but they were awful for that, so I left that to my Stradics and other spinning gear until I got the Lexa. Skipping with a bait caster is the next frontier for me.

Does the package list the colors you got? I've only seen the kits in cursory glances when at BPS. Prefer to pick-n-choose my own faves so always opt for the packages if I'm not buying GYCB Senkos or Zoom Finesse Worms.

Well, as I stated in another posting the other day, I'll probably buy 7.1:1 from here on. I can control my speed by how fast I turn the handle. Maybe if I were a tournament guy I'd want one for each type of setup as then I'd probably have the same reeling cadence and not worry about which gear ratio I have in my hand at the time.