Darren.

Don't discount a for your soft plastics hooks! I find I have much better hookups with the line wrapped around the shaft of the hook as opposed to only the hook eye. Super easy to tie (as per the video). I use it on hooks down to size 4, whether wacky/drop shot, any manner of offset worm hooks, etc.That said, I will use Palomar, then the Improved Clinch for some setups, (weedless, jigs, etc.) but 98% is snell now.

Welcome! Ah yes, Beaverdam, NNPK, Waller Mill. All good reservoirs, some big stripers stocked in Waller Mill! Also fish Harwood's Mill. Beaverdam has some incredible "fields" of submerged stumps.

Wow. Nice. A little bit of everything, methinks :-) If it were me: 4", 5", 6", 7" Senkos in GP Magic, Watermelon Magic, Watermelon Gold Flake, Black/Blue flake, and maybe a few other colors to try Shad shaped worm, WMGoldFlake Fat Ikas Flappin' Hog II Some Yamaminnows

I have to make an amendment to my previous statement in this topic. I was digging through my box of fishing line on Friday and came upon a spool of Hybrid, 6lb test in camo green. I didn't realize I had a spool of Hybrid in that color (have in UltraSoft, not impressed with color there, too milky, but this is different). Probably picked it up a year ago and threw it in the bin. Anyhow, a fan of green lines (P-Line's mist-green), this camo green is pretty nice, a bit darker hue than P-Line's mist green, but pretty much as clear as P-Line. So I tried it on Friday afternoon tied on as leader to my PowerPro mainline. Caught two nice bass, one 2.3 lbs, to one between 3-4 lb based on my buddy and my estimation, she threw the hook as I bent down to take her by the lip. Nary a problem with the Hybrid. I actually liked it. Felt confidence in the line. Even snagged it on a branch underwater and was able to retrieve my line, hook (Gamakatsu #2 wide gap finesse). Impressed enough to order a 600 yard spool of it in green, 8 lb test, tonight off of ebay for about $9 shipped. Dadgum baitmonkey.

That's one more than I've ever caught! Looks awesome. Can't wait to catch one someday.

Another vote for Stradic, either the "regular" or CI4 model for the extra coin.

Welcome! And I'll agree with everyone else, spinning is what you want to start out with. Bait casting is good when you feel you're ready for another step, another tool. But you can do pretty much everything with a spinning outfit. Digging out backlashes is no fun when you could be fishing. Another day, another time. I echo the spinning reel size, around 2500. I use 1000 for my bass fishing, some would consider that ultra light, but not me. For a rod, a medium or medium heavy 6' or 6'6" model to start with. Opinions vary on rod length, so go with what feels right. Ask the store to put the reel you want on various rods and feel the balance, feel the weight in your hand. Does the tip fall to the ground, or is the rod+reel horizontal (good IMO)? What feels best in your hand? Then start with soft plastics (also IMO). Don't despise a good float and live bait either. Do what you need to do to get your feet wet, back into the game. Once your confidence starts building, then you can add on.

Did you figure out the picture posting?

I've got a Garmin Echo 100, did not have the extra $$ to go another step up. If I had $100-150 to spend, I'd look at the Garmin echo 150, or Garmin echo 200, if I could up that price a little more I'd look at the Lowrance Elite 4 series. The Mark 4 are nice as well. I chose Garmin because the trolling motor mount was included, but I'm not using my trolling motor for now. Lowrance, Humminbird are the big boys, Garmin's coming along nicely. I don't fish big waters so haven't yet found a "need" for GPS. Maybe I would if I had it, don't know. I would love at least one of the new Lowrance DSI units. Depending on your yak you can build yourself a nice mount + arm for the entire unit for $25-30. Or buy one at several online or local kayak retailers.

I have quite a few spools of Hybrid, but hardly use it any more other than for leader material, or long-pole (no reels) fishing. Sensitive, yes. More cost-effective than pure FC lines, for sure. For me, P-Line Floroclear is my favorite. Just my experience. I did like the performance of 10 and 12 lb Hybrid on my baitcasters tho. Did not like Hybrid or Ultrasoft much on spinning gear for mainline, even with line conditioner. But the wider the spinning spool, the better. I like smaller reels, hence: I've changed all of my spinning gear to braid for mainline and various leader material. Braid is just that much better for management on spinning gear in my experience. With the right leader-to-mainline knot there are no worries about having a weak point in the line. Knots that have not failed me: , and in 2nd place, Uni-to-Uni. The link shows both knots via Knot Wars. The slicker the line, I find the Modified Albright to be better.My .02 having tried a bunch of lines. You should definitely try Hybrid out and decide for yourself. Might be the ticket for you.

Some sweeties there. Happening in Virginia, too! Yesterday's haul was this 6lber, a bigger one thrashed and tossed my bait about 30 minutes earlier. My son and I saw that one break the water, and thrash barely out of reach of the net...

You are in an enviable state, fishingator! Welcome to bassresource, and catch some of those giant Florida strain bass, eh?

webertime, that has to be the best avatar! FWIW, I was looking at the same Shimano Black Moon backpacks, that is, until I decided to take up fishing from a kayak. It'd probably still work out great, but I now use a BPS double-sided worm bag and a plano box or two with hard plastics.

Yeesh. Must. Hold. Lunch. Down....

If you haven't already made your decision, another vote for Sahara @ $80. Tried the BPS models, tempted by the carbon, but chose Sahara. My experience with Shimano spinning reels (Stradics are my fav) is they are reliable, use quality parts, smooth, rated for salt/fresh, and for my hands, they feel the best. Now I'm also a guy who prefers smaller spinning reels for bass - the 1000 size is my favorite. I have one 2500 size Shimano Spirex that I use for crank baits.

Finding the pattern on a given day. Which is perhaps another way to put what J Francho said. The pattern (for me) is the problem needing solving.

Awesome. Peacock bass fishing is on my bucket list. I'll take Florida, because it's far more likely to become a reality, but really want to hit the Amazon.

Welcome, fellow Yakker! Some beasties you got there. Sweet stuff.

I've got two Quantum bait casters, a 7:0:1 Accurist, and a Shaw Grigsby (believe it's an Accurist) model from DSG. I consider myself a Shimano guy when it comes to spinning gear which I use more than my BC gear. My Quantum BCs have served me well, with regular oiling and such. Exception being, as mentioned above, the finish. They ding/scratch easily. Also noticing, after 4 years of the Grigsby model, occasional slippage in gears. Because these are my only BCs, I can't compare them to Shimanos, Daiwas, BPS, etc., other than in-store comparisons. So I'll only give opinion on the Q's. My own experience has not been bad. Would I opt for Quantums again? Not likely. Only one I might consider, having played with it, is the Smoke which is pretty sweet (looking). I almost went for a new Curado with the reel trade in, but couldn't justify it to the CFO. Was able to justify a replacement spinning reel though because the kids can fish that. If I were a big bait casting guy, I might feel otherwise....

I vote for the Symetre. I was in BPS the other day and played with the President and Symetre. Yeah, I'm a Shimano guy, but for a reason. I was seriously considering a Prez. Also played with the Orra, and other models. Hands down the Symetre was smoother, had longer spin times. Though I wound up with a Sahara 500 (reel trade in) for a UL, it was only because there were no Symetre 500s or 1000s in stock. And I couldn't justify the extra cost to the CFO. And yes, I did mess with models out of the box not just the floor models which can be messed up from so many hands touching. My .02.

Only justification would be new colors, methinks. I've used soft plastics older than 10 years and they were as good as new (for the most part). So you could use some JJ's magic, MegaStrike, or whatever scent you want and go for it. I know guys who swear by motor oil, but I haven't found a lot of success with the color. I say go for it, Eric.

Yup. Believe it or not, I've had the most luck on their 1.5" Shad Assassins in a variety of colors, but most caught on the chartreuse silver glitter. Not just for pannies, either. Caught some of my biggest chain pickerel on 'em, and plenty of bass from little guys to 3lbs. I use the LunkerGrip UL Fin-S shad head jigs in 1/16 oz, #6 hooks. Bought the last 3 bags at our local DSG last month as they were on clearance.

Also interested. Looks like BPS is going to discontinue it as it's now on clearance and down to just over $5/spool. For me, I'd only use it for leader material.

I have a Garmin Echo 100 and like the features and such. Used in my kayak. Chose it over H'bird, Lowrance, because they offered more stuff in the package- like trolling motor mount, etc. You'd probably like the 200, the 5" screen is nice. FWIW, looking at the BPS reviews, one guy says it's hard to read in the sun. I have not found this to be the case on the 100 here in sunny Virginia. So YMMV.

I use a Garmin Echo 100 in my kayak, works very well for me. Not an expert at on-screen interpretation yet, but as far as lake structure and such, it's good. Looked at all the models you mention, but settled on the Echo because Garmin offers (or offered) better bang for the buck - i.e., included trolling motor mount, etc. Would love a DSI model, though. For a battery, I'm currently using an 18V LiON battery from my Hitachi drill. Darn thing lasts forEVER on a single charge. It's sealed, so not too worried about water. I do plan on using a sealed case at some point when I rig a simple-connection setup. FWIW, there's a fuse in the line to keep the unit safe from too much power.