Darren.

I've tried several different methods, including empty Rx bottles. Crazy as it is, I've gone back to using the plastic bags the hooks come in. Bought a worm bag at BPS. There are little zipped pockets in each compartment that store the bags perfectly. Plus, it's easier to differentiate hook sizes that way. I suppose it depends on your methods. I kayak fish, so like the method I'm using now. When I was shore bound, the Rx bottles worked easiest (still use that method for some stuff like for big packs of gold, Aberdeen panny hooks). Sometimes I make my own snelled hook leaders and wrap them around a Lindy Rigger Snell Holder. That makes for easy panfishing. Wrap enough around it and you shouldn't need to carry separate hooks.

I've had no problems with my Sahara, but it's a 500FD. My Stradics are 1000FI's. I like small profile reels and see no need to go up to a 2500 or larger. Not encountered a fish I couldn't handle with these small reels (and yes, I've caught a number of 6 pound bass on the 1000 reels). I always close bail by hand, I keep drag at one setting (for most part), and use my "free" hand on the spool if I need extra drag. Never been spooled, either. But unless you're in a hurry, I agree with fishking247, hang on a little longer for the new Shimano models coming out. From what I've seen they're all upgrades over current models, not just cosmetic changes. As for rods, a M or MH is a general all-around action. For me I'm all M with XF action at this point. Will look for a MH down the road to complete my spinning armada. Rod length is up to you. I don't go with the majority who like long rods now-a-days. I like shorter rods. 6'3" is my longest spinning rod. You can throw almost any bait on a spinning rig. And here's where a larger reel would come in handy - if you're throwing big cranks, etc. I don't throw that stuff. I'm pretty much all soft plastics with my spinning gear, and use finesse techniques, which shapes my reel size and rod choices. Different strokes for different folks, to use an old cliche.

Welcome to a fellow VA fisherman!

welcome aboard!

Just curious. Is the (or a) reason you're going for a digital scale so you can weigh to the tenths? I had a digi-scale from BPS that worked great until it slipped out of my hands and down to Davey Jones Locker. Since then I've been using my econogrip spring scale (with a float) and find it to do the job very well. Although it'd be nice to see tenths, I see measurements by the 1/4 lb. The scale I'd take over any digital model is a boca... Dreaming on.

If it were me, I'd use rivets. Find a local kayak store and see if they carry pop rivets, the kind that splice into a flower (crude explanation) when you set them. I've used screws in my yaks, but the rivets are so much easier and they do hold very well, even for anchoring situations. But yeah, the well nuts are the way to go if you're worried about hold. If the plastic is thin, try the well nut - or rivet. My .02.

Finesse is a style. Like in tennis, you have finesse players and power players. Same equipment for the most part, just different styles of play. Finesse players will stroke the ball differently, often play full court whereas power players tend to stay at the base line and power the ball over the net. Stefan Edberg, John McEnroe were finesse, someone like Andre Agassi was power. Although both did all styles, these were their primary styles (IMHO). That said, when I finesse fish, I tend toward lighter gear, softer presentation. I won't normally use my MH baitcasting setup for finessing, though I can. I finesse fish 99% of the time with both spinning and baitcasting gear. For baits, Senkos (sometimes knockoffs, but Yammies work best for me), Zoom Finesse worms, and sometimes when the bite is really tough I'll throw wacky rigged Zoom tiny flukes in watermelon red flake. That'll net me a lot of smaller fish, but I've caught some beasties, too. I'll rig Wacky, weighted wacky, Texas weightless and Texas weighted. If I'm throwing lures I'll tend toward lighter lures, not fist-sized cranks or such. But again, you can finesse those. Hooks: Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap #4, #2, #1. I caught my PB 7.5 lber on a size 1 or 2 in thick weeds. These pups don't bend or break. Caught 5+ lbers on the #4 size. These hooks rock. For gear: Primarily Shimano Stradics 1000FI, 10lb braid mainline, leaders mono, copoly, fluoro from 6-15 lb test. Shimano Compre rods, Medium power, X-fast action, shorter (5'9", and 6'3"). Line brand: I use Power Pro yellow, and mostly P-Line Floroclear mist green leaders. Brand is really up to you and what you like. Opinions are all over the place, but the bottom line is use what you like and feel comfortable with.

Vote for Sedona here, but President a good reel, too. Prefer the fact that Shimano reels are fresh/salt capable out of the box. Not a big deal for some, but I'm near ocean and brackish waters so having one reel able to do both is a major plus. Besides that, I've put Shimano spinning reels thru the paces and am majorly impressed with the smoothness and build quality. But that's me....

#1 Wacky #2 TX with 1/8oz weight, dragged slowly across bottom #3 TX weightless #4 Wacky with weighted wacky hook

I love Floroclear and never break on hook sets... I use 6-15lb test and absolutely love the stuff. I know there's plenty of folks in the forum that have had bad experiences with the line, but not me. I use it on both spinning and baitcasting gear - as leader material tied to 10lb PowerPro mainline. My hook sets are not massive jerks, just reel down and sweep. Never break. So I've got two knots in the line, the line-to-leader (Albright), and the terminal knot. I have complete confidence with this setup. That said, I tie ALL my hooks with a snell knot. Only time I will use a different terminal knot is if it's a jig, or type of hook that has no shank to tie a snell (due to lead head or such). The snell knot is by far the best *I* have ever used with FC lines. And I do use the snell with pure FC when I tie it on as a leader (terminal end). As said by others, lubricate the knot before you cinch it down. I tie mine the way does on YouTube. Very simple after a few times practicing, you can do it in a hurricane while on the water with your eyes closed. :-)Do be sure to check the eye of your hook before tying, though. I've had cheaper brand hooks have little fraying of the metal in the eye which nicked the line making it break. Also, once I tie the snell, before I make the first cast, I always do a good pull test. Hope this helps. As for pound test for TX rigging, I'll agree with the first response that it is on the light side. However, I've used 6 lb on weightless TX or very light bullet weight (1/16oz). When the bite is tough, I downsize everything. So if you want to throw a TX rigged worm on 4lb test you can. It's your call. Heck, you can use light line for just about anything if you're confident in your ability to handle fish with it! Just read Craig DeFronzo's piece on light line right here at bassresource.

I've got 5 Shimano spinning reels, two are Stradics (FI), two Spirex, and one Sahara. Love 'em. Stradics by far the best, smoothest. I really like the new 2012 Saros, but as of now I'm on new gear hiatus. So yeah, no regrets going all Shimano. And since I'm on hiatus, I won't be replacing my Quantum BCs with new Citicas...but I want to.

Built my own roof rack. Not the most elegant solution, but it works. Put foam blocks on it for my Native Ultimate 12. Strap it down with two cross straps and all's good.

Howdy! Welcome aboard.

Welcome aboard, fellow Virginian!

Dadgum! Incredible catch, man. She's a BEAST! Would it be rude to say I'm jealous... :cry4:No seriously. Take the pic in and have a mount made. That's a lifetime fish. Something to tell the grandkids about. Wow.

Awesome! Congrats to ya!

Welcome to the forums!

Another Zoom Finesse and Trick worm vote. But also a Senko fan. And also agree with roadwarrior, why restrict yourself to just one?

Like others, I'm a mixture for rods. If I'm not on a leash when at BPS or Dick's SG, I'll pick up any rod(s) that catch my eye. Fan of St. Croix, Shimano, high-end BPS rods, and a few others. But my main rods are Shimano, my main reels are Shimano (spinning), and Quantum (bc). Beauty of all the opinions: to each his/her own. What feels great in your hands may not in mine. C'est la vie! Heck, I just started saltwater fishing with my kids because we live near a s/w dock, and we're using my old Ugly Stik Lites (and the Shimano stuff). They're awesome for that kind of fishing where "feel" is not an issue. But to the point, I have switched over to all Shimano spinning reels. Love the darned things so much more than any other brand I've fished/tried. Have never fished a Shimano bc reel, thankfully. Rods, Shimano b/c of the OTC warranty, but there are plenty that catch my eye which I'd buy, if I had the money.

I don't doubt the truth in that. The BPS's in Richmond and Hampton, VA both told me they're lifetime replacements OTC, replaced with whatever happens to be the equivalent rod to yours at the time you bring it in. This from managers at both shops. FWIW. Again, no doubt some are sticklers. One happens to be a huge Avid fan, too, but said it was Shimano's warranty that is second-to-none. Would I choose an Avid? Absolutely. I really like the rods. So not a knock against St. Croix....

I think both are great rods, but I'd take the Crucial for one [main] reason: over the counter warranty. I actually went with a Compre spinning rod over an Avid 1) for the otc warranty, and 2) they actually felt better in my hand. Your mileage may vary. And an XF tip for a nice hook set with soft plastics. I prefer XF as there's just not as much hoooah! motion needed to set the hook. Just one man's opinion.

5'9" primarily, 6', 6'3", 6'6" in that order. For me, I prefer the casting control of shorter rods as opposed to longer casts. I may be in the minority, but I've always preferred shorter rods. And I love them for kayaking, i.e., easier casting and rod control in tight areas. Would I use a longer rod? Maybe. But just prefer shorter rods.

Doubt it'll happen in our lifetime(s). Earth is cyclic. El nino, la nina, warming, cooling. I agree with the sentiment that it'd be nice if the peacocks move in! :-) In the mean time, I'll keep playing catch-n-release.

Wow. Nice for a drop shot. Never pulled one like that using a drop shot myself. May you hook a sweet, chunky bass next time!

Hi Chris, and welcome. Tons to learn here, enjoy yourself!