Darren.

1) 10# braid is fine w/o a leader if that's how you want to roll. Me? I use leaders 100% of the time to save $ in the long run. In the past I've lost significant amounts of braid to snags, not to mention cutting/retying all day. A leader will break on a snag saving your mainline, and so forth. 2) Do not set the hook hard. Proper drag setting and rod choice are essential. I lost a really nice bass once (10# braid + leader) because I had forgotten to back my drag down after tightening it to free a snag. The bass snapped my leader like it was a piece of spaghetti before you cook it. I always test it now before first cast to make sure I've got it set properly - like @Dwight Hottle said.

Beasts! Congrats on em both!

Congrats, Mike! Awesome hawg.

Great shot!

Welcome aboard!

So I guess "S" and "hawk" in your user name don't stand for SeaHawks!

Never hit the water without it strapped on! Can't save you if it's tucked away in your hatch and you're thrown out of the yak.

Double header of great news! Congrats to you both!

I'll bite, LOL, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that the Bills will surprise, Josh Allen becomes the next Jim Kelly only better. Tremaine Edmunds becomes the next Bruce Smith (impact-wise), and they win the SuperBowl! In reality, early thoughts would be Rams, Jags, Giants, Eagles, Texans, Hawks, Vikes, 49ers, the Pack, Chiefs rounding out the top teams. Who wins: Giants beat Atlanta. Their previous two wins were freaks, and with Barkley, pressure is off Eli a little. Will amend as reality unfolds ....

No tourneys for me, so for 1 rod, 1 reel, 1 boat it would be my: 6' (now 5'9") Premiere Stradic CI4+ 1000 15# yellow PP SuperSlick braid + leader My trusty kayak, or a center console 18' skiff. I'd fish a TRD, versatile for me either Ned or dropshot.

Welcome aboard!

Indeed. Just busting your chops. But the second line needs a grammar fix!

Actually, that example would be punctuation ! Both needed w/o a doubt. https://purdueglobalwritingcenter.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/punctuation-is-not-grammar/ Punctuation marks are the symbols we use to clarify meaning, question marks, exclamation points, periods, etc. Grammar is the structure of language. You can think of it as word order and choice. How we order our language is part of what determines meaning.

Never heard that sentiment myself. Like @CroakHunter says, the big bass places are FL, TX, CA... And other "lesser" southern states.

I wish I bought the leader spool box with the line feed on the bottom as in your pic. I have the "regular" line spool box that has the line spool from the lid. don't like that. now I'm thinking of modding my spool box to put the rubber grommets on the bottom!

Welcome aboard! Interesting first post... I'm sure some enterprising folk will chime in...perhaps.

Yup. Happens....

Welcome aboard, Derek!

Excellent catch! Congrats!

Welcome aboard! Striper bass fishing is def a rush. Good times up and down the East Coast! My first came in fresh water, 14# and 32" long. Since then I've been out in the Chesapeake Bay and York River and had a blast. My youngest caught this beast a year or two back in the James River.

Welcome aboard, Alan!

Good luck @everythingthatswims!!

Welcome aboard, Steve!

Closest to what? GetOutdoors down in NC is closest to me, and they are listed as a Riot dealer though their (GO's) website doesn't yet indicate it. Likely means they are a dealer on paper until they buy stock. You can buy them on Amazon, but that doesn't help with getting a feel for the yak first. Plus the 10' is just over $1k there, likely due to Amazon's Prime "free" shipping costing $150. Edit: or it could be in Canadian dollars? Montreal is also home of Riot, where they're made. You'll get better info on their Facebook page, they'll even answer your queries. https://www.facebook.com/riotkayak/

Welcome aboard!