Darren.

Welcome aboard! If you have a Bass Pro or Cabelas near you, take your reel in and ask to pair it with several different rods you fancy in the $100 range. I can tell you from experience that Bass Pro Carbonlite rods are fantastic, extremely light, and versatile. They can often be found on sale there, too. Just some food for thought. If they have your reel in-store, you don't have to bring yours in, just ask them if you can pair one they have with one of the rods, or several of the rods.

Welcome aboard! Hooksets are free, never forget that!

I totally agree. Hard for me to fathom them going with a storm 7 miles away...in tornado alley, nonetheless. Not to mention the less than stellar track record of Duck Boats. As I listened to the weatherman I was thinking, maybe a legit excuse, but a dumb one nonetheless. If i see a storm nearby before heading out, I make absolutely sure to stay close to the launch and keep a continual eye to the sky. This just seems like a horrible oversight. Do hope alcohol was not involved....

Weatherman on HLN this AM said the pilot probably thought they could do a quick run given the storm was 7 miles out, but what they couldn't know (w/o proper tools) was the 60mph wind front preceding the storm--the outflow boundary (among other names). Awful tragedy to be sure.

Congrats on your PB! Beautiful color - did you apply a filter, or is it really that green?

Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm on a drop shot has been a real winner for all kinds of SW fish here. Favs to catch are striper, and reds, but I'll take whatever hits the hook!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! Plenty of PA fisherfolk here. Hang in there, they'll chime in!

Welcome aboard! Lots of Texas folks here, someone will chime in soon.

You should be fine so long as you tie it down well, and make sure you tie on a red or bright orange flag/material on the end to draw driver attention. I believe if it extends 4' out the back of a vehicle in VA it requires a flag. I do it with all my kayaks when transporting.

While I don't have experience other than in-store handling with the Carbonlite 2.0 series, I do with the original (black), and second gen white series. I really like the Carbonlites from BPS. I think they're excellent at sensitivity, and super light and comfortable to fish with. My only gripe is that they aren't offered in more lengths. I'd like to see more in the shorter range (5'9" to 6'3") in ML, M. If they did, I'd probably own all Carbonlites, LOL.

While we may not be pros with depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), etc., your post has triggered some great advice to seek professional help. So in a way, it's a blessing in disguise . While the topic is too often seen as a weakness among the Testosterone Gang, it is real and has real impact on not just you, but others, as well. Good on you for being honest with yourself, and asking for help/advice. Now go have a talk with your doctor about it. S/he can help.

Welcome aboard!

We did the ball python thing, had a bumblebee, some het pied 50%. They are super easy. My brother now has our pythons and several of the hybrids. Just got too expensive both $ and time, so we pared down.

Welcome aboard! Another snake guy! I'm down from over 20 to just 3, a black rat snake, and two of her hybrid children (black rat + corn).

Welcome aboard! I've got 4 boys and started them all out pretty young. While I do agree that Trilene XL in 8lbs is a great starting point, and I did use it for a while, I was not afraid to use braid on their setups. However, I was always with them and when they got hung up, I'd teach them how TO do and how NOT to do things in getting a snag loose. I've got 2 in college now, and 2 in high school. They've learned their lessons at a young age with braid, and use it exclusively to this day on both spinning and casting gear. So the lighter pound test, the more braid can cut in to your hands or arm depending on how you try to pull loose a snag. I'd suggest having something like a 12" section of a dowel rod you take with you that you can wrap the line around to either pull the snag loose or break off.

Welcome aboard, Joe!

Mirage sans reverse starts around ~$620 on up to ~$840 for the 180, at least that's what Austin Kayak lists...

Should work fine as long as you rinse it thoroughly with fresh water.

Another vote for a landing net. Makes the process much easier. If you can, get one with a rubber netting, better on the fish. Mine doesn't have it, but I'll be in the market for a new one and it'll be rubberized.

Welcome aboard, @Brinkley! Looks like you've got your answer.

Yes. I've done it. But my bass gear is also saltwater friendly. I.e., Shimano, rated for both. I've taken my Stradics and my Chronarch 50 out numerous times and caught some nice striper, croaker, flounder, reds, etc. Just be sure to rinse the gear down with fresh water.

Can wrap my truck! probably an expensive proposition, eh?

I've heard that argument, too. S'pose it's a 6 and 1/2 dozen the other argument.

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