Darren.

If I were nearby, I'd let you take my 7.1:1 for a spin. It's a sweet reel. I've had it in both salt and fresh water and she's as fresh as the day I bought her. Love it.

Dude, the reel is sweet. I'm a Shimano guy for spinning reels, but when I tried the Lexa 100 I was floored at the quality. I believe it is mag-brake only.... here's the official specs: http://www.daiwa.com/reel/detail.aspx?id=632

Then don't fish the Lexa!!

Dang. Ban soft baits?! Really?!

Start with Senkos - the real kind, Yamamoto Senkos. Fish them wacky, or weightless Texas and hang on. Fish slowest in the winter, and vary your speeds the other seasons.

You could. For bass fishing, much over a 2500 size reel is overkill. But that's my opinion. This from a guy who does all his bass spinning fishing on Shimano Stradic 1000FI reels. The 6 pounder in my avatar was caught on a 1000FI. Bait casting is another story. But I'll probably never use my Quantums again, I'll be going Daiwa Lexa from here on...for now.

Don't think I've tried enough to say what's the most sensitive. Most expensive rod I own is a Shimano Compre, and I love it (them). If I had a few more bucks to spend, I'd put the money on a St. Croix.

Good job!

That's an amazing looking reel. Dang.

If those are bass beds, then WOOT! Time to get stoked. As if you aren't already...

YES! What a haul. LOL. I bet every member on this forum has been there. I know I have, a number of times smaller than that.

I enjoy MMA, but I don't do pay-per-view, just whatever's on the already paid for cable channels. Don't have a fav fighter.

Congrats! But I gave up on whistles...pain in the ears.

For one of the few Bills fans, tears for the great Andre Reed. He will make it one day. Congrats to all the dudes that made it. And go 49ers. Or Ravens.

Interesting. I've never used tungsten yet, hear good things that it's smaller profile, better "clicks" underwater as opposed to lead's thud. Only thing that's kept me from jumping in is the price. I don't fret when I lose a lead bullet, but the cost per pack of tungsten is more than I want to spend. Of course I'm fine to spend that money elsewhere ... maybe a matter of priorities.

Gotta trumpet the Daiwa Lexa 100 series. I'm in love with mine... Great for $139, or less on eBay. Can do all you mentioned, and more.

Well, from a guy right around 5'7", I opt for shorter rods. But that's primarily because I'm comfortable with them flipping and pitching. And I use both baitcasters and spinning gear for these techniques. I think it's also partly because I fish in some very tight and heavy covered areas with my kayak. Longer rods sometimes just serve to catch branches, etc. Don't tell my wife, but I'm eying a 6'6" rod to pair with my Lexa 100, but that's about as long a rod (I think) as I'd be comfortable with. If I had a 7 footer to try in my yak, I may like it, tho....

PQ for sure. I almost bit, but went Daiwa Lexa 100 instead.

That's a great point. I wasn't thinking line, but yeah, it's gear of course. Definitely changed the game.

Following off of this post: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/112593-your-worst-gear-purchase/ I thought I'd ask the opposite question. My best, thus far: Shimano Stradic 1000FI + Shimano Compre 5'9" spinning rod (My Daiwa Lexa 100 is too new, but so far it's flat out awesome).

Welcome, jonjon.

Saw it (the update) on the news. Really feel for the boy and his parents. Praying he's released safe-n-sound ASAP.

Well, as a dad who has 4 competitive boys, all of whom play sports, this is an issue. I also coach soccer, and dadgum if there's not a sissification of government (county)-controlled sports. So I endeavor to teach my kids to love the game, and that winning IS a great thing, but to be an excellent sport when they lose. Kind of subversive in a way. Finding a way to keep competitiveness alive, but not driving them to "slaughter" the other team just because. It's ok for the Patriots to do so because these guys are pros. If you can't stop Tom and company well, sorry. It's the game. So I've tried to instill this in every team I've coached. Even within these leagues you will NEVER stop some kids who have kill-or-be-killed mentality. It is tough. I have to step back every so many seasons and stop just to regain sanity. And then I have to absolutely muzzle my mouth when I'm on the sidelines and my kids are on a crap team with a parent who's never coached the game and wants everyone to cheer when either team scores. I do teach my sons to be agressive *on the ball* and to play to win. Fortunately one of our boys is on a travel league now where competition is praised, but so is sportsmanship. We do encounter jerks on other teams, parents can be especially nasty.

Down Yorktown way, on the peninsula. I got up a little later this AM, I think it was supposed to be in the teens overnight, may have been.

Welcome then! This isn't AA for fishermen, tho. Your fishing addiction will only get worse here.