Darren.

Yep, gotcha Do give the Yamamoto Shad Shape worm a try, too. That sucker nose hooked with a drop is deadly. As well, taking a 1/0 and mojo rigging one is pretty sweet. BTW, I haven't driven by the location recently, but last I went there (on the big side), the smaller side was horrific with weedy cover, some of the worst I've seen in all my years fishing there. Has that died off?

Yes, I have nose hooked them (and not just for drop shot). Can't really say I have had success doing so with the longer versions (4 and 5")

Welcome aboard! This site a a phenomenal resource, indeed!

ANY fish is better than a skunk

Welcome aboard, Alex!

Welcome aboard, Nic!

Welcome aboard! And wow, quite a story!

2 first posts in one! Welcome aboard to you both!

Welcome aboard!

I use fluoro and/or a copoly leader. Don't have straight mono, but I wouldn't have a problem with it. For fluoro, I'm using 6, 8, and 10# Gamma Edge, and for copoly I'm using Yo-Zuri 6, 8, and 10. Those are my usual line tests, but I'll go as low as 4 and as high as 15...fwiw. And as for the knot, I prefer easy-to-tie uni-to-uni, or the mod'd Albright, aka Alberto. However, I have learned a new variant of that from Shin Fukae that is easy to tie, and quite strong.

Clint, I have found that braid for a mainline, manages better than any other line. You can go straight braid as many do, but I go with a leader every time. Just how I roll, everyone is different.

Hear hear!

It is definitely a "to each his/her own" thing. I like to think of my enjoyment of 1000 size reels as proof they are not too small or "ultralight" and for trouties only. I am so confident in them that I have no fear of any freshwater fish...in my waters, LOL.

I haven't been out for about a month, life getting in the way . But I do hope to do so this season. I just need some colder weather kayaking clothing. But one of my sons and his high school buddies have been going out and having a great time, actually. They aren't catching huge striper, but the 18-28" they are catching have been bloated with bellies full of menhaden. I've caught some really nice striper on my 1000s. I figure if I catch a big'un I just let it pull me along till it tires out, assuming it doesn't wrap around a pylon or get swallowed by a shark, LOL.

Welcome aboard! You will be fine with that setup. I wouldn't be afraid hitting those waters with a medium setup and one of my 1000 size Stradics. I take those in salt water for striper, too.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Greg!

That is awful news, I hope he recovers quickly. Prayers....

I turned the MNF game off too early and went to bed. Assumed the Rams were about to pour it on...mistake. Mahomes hits the reset button in his brain after every stinkin' play! The kid can flat out ball. And the Bills gave him away to the Chiefs. (Tho I doubt he'd be playing like this if he were a Bill). Is too early, but if the Saint's keep going -> SB champs.

Welcome aboard, Hank! Sometimes bearing count is overrated. But I'm not well versed in the Sienna series so much as I am in the Stradics. Pflueger is highly thought of in the forums, and Daiwa is a top choice, too. Good luck with your decision.

Welcome aboard!

When I set out to do all casting it was partly for my arms' sake. Overfishing is what did me in with sore forearms (fisherman's elbow), etc. I don't fish for as long a period as I did then, and spinning rarely bothers me to that end. Although it has on occasion. So I get your reasoning. Found for me that doing pushups - not full body, but when you leave your knees on the ground - helped heal my arms, believe it or not

Posted this back in 2017, FLW pro, only spinning gear Brad mentions.

I've owned Stradics from the FI to CI4+ and would choose the CI4+ every day. Just a smoother, better feeling reel in all regards, of course to my hands. YMMV. I'm also a fan of Daiwa, but I've not owned a single LT reel, tho I have heard/watched YouTube vids that really like them. Probably a "take-your-pick" decision. If I were jumping in, I'd likely opt for another CI4+, or a Ballistic LT (simply because I want a reel that will work in fresh/salt).

Not on those rigs, typically, although I've done so in salt water, though in those cases I'd have been better off with a MH setup. I had a MH spinning rod that I was throwing 3/4 oz swimbaits and heavier jigs on...that is before one of my sons borrowed said rod for saltwater, and was riding his bike home from the local saltwater dock with that rod and his own and of course, got my MH rod stuck in his wheels, breaking off the handle - and causing some wheel damage to boot. Haven't replaced that one yet.... It is really funny, locals who don't care a whit about rods and reels will throw 1 oz and heavier on medium gear with 2500 size reels all the time. Had to help a neighbor understand her setups were too light for what she was using. Yet she still caught fish on them. Go figure.