Darren.

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you were looking in the $100 range for a spinning reel. I'm also a Shimano guy for spinning and use Shimano Stradics. You can find them in the mid-$100 range up to about $230 depending on model. I prefer 1000 size, but the 2500 is what most consider a standard size for bass fishing, tho there's no true accepted standard.

This is a subjective question...as so many have stated, it depends. Line, lure weight, etc. I'm not sure what "normal priced setup" really means, either. $50-100? $100-200? I have spooled one of my Stradic 1000 FI reels. The arbor knot saved the day . Have come close to spooling my "super-tuned" Chronarch 50e, as well. Both when casting heavier lures. Probably easier to do with my setups since they're smaller and hold less line than a 2500 or 200.

We'll be seeing 4 of these along the back of one of the boats on a saltwater fishing show pretty soon. Because you can never get to the wrecks fast enough. Or you can never outrun a storm fast enough. Dang. That thing's a beast.

Based on all the pictures at TW, it looks like you've got everything.

I must be missing where it says 5+1 on the site. However, if I were to guess, I'd imagine the handle being spinning and casting count as 2? Then the rest of the rod is 3, 4, 5 and the case is +1? Except this: I assume then, the handle breaks apart?

Yeah, so are you a size 7 or...13? Perspective is everything!! LOL. Would love to have a couple days like that on my local reservoirs.

Looks like a *fairly* good two days

Welcome aboard, Richard! Probably should have a moderator move this to Introductions. But good stuff and quite true about the amazing resource that is Bass...Resource! Has helped us all, and continues to.

Sweet! Congrats!

Man, not a whole lotta stuff you can do if it's a public place with others around....if it's isolated, then a tree is your best bet... Has hit me while out on the water, and when loading up at the dock. You find a way if it can't be held.

Yanny. Actually sounded more like "yammy" to me... <ducks, runs for cover from @J Francho>

I run flukes thru the top when nose hooking.

Welcome aboard! Probably a spawning or roving female. They are tough to catch no matter what you throw at them. Though being in Texas, I'm not sure when the spawn is over there.... We've all had those big girls shrug off everything we throw at her....

I've researched them, they're great tech, super light, but as you point out, prohibitively expensive. I'd love to have a 10 pound Lithium battery that provides as much juice as a lead acid trolling battery....

Well now, that makes much more sense. At least another person had a snake bite kit. I actually keep one in one of my fishing kits. As much of a snake guy as I am (collector, etc.), I would never attempt to pick up a venomous snake w/o proper tools, and even then, I probably wouldn't. Granted, he did not know what it was...and that's part of the smarts. If you don't know/can't identify, DON'T! Like others, I was suspect of this because rattlers are rarely, if ever, in a tree. But not impossible, so I figured it was one of those rare circumstances. Black Rat snakes, and other colubrids are often in trees and a far more likely "drop", tho it would have been an accidental slip on the snake's part. Anyhow, good that the truth came out. Glad he'll be ok.

Lived in the Dallas area during my teen years. Don't recall much flooding, certain there was some, and most definitely recall the fire ant menace.

Flooding does present a whole other set of circumstances when it comes to wildlife. Thinking of not just snake dis- placement, but fire ant colonies (islands). *shudder*

Totally agree with @J Francho that weight does not equal stability. Similar to his Commander is my Native Ultimate 12 which weighs 55lbs empty. Serious stability, and the most important, secondary stability - when you go past the first point and suddenly you feel stable again. Both our yaks are hybrids, part canoe, part kayak. Probably two of the lightest-yet-stable fishing kayaks out there

Welcome aboard!

Absolutely right. I've seen boaters get all tied up with a snag an unable to keep from drifting to the trees... But two snakes, eh? I have a grove of cypress trees which have a number of bushes around them. I love to look for snakes there and have come across so many there. Fun to get pix.

Yeah, not gonna share it with my buddy, either. He'd probably give up kayak bass fishing and stick to the shore if I did.

Wow, really nice haul. A great spawn for ya! In years past I smoked em during the spawn, but it really is a hit-or-miss for me. Some years not a single spawner, other years a few, and some are awesome.

In case southerners don't realize the dangers out there, here's a tale straight from the "Worst Case Scenario" files. Hope he recovers quickly. https://www.wltx.com/article/news/local/rattlesnake-falls-from-tree-bites-sc-man-in-kayak-twice/101-556842775 I've encountered so many snakes in trees while kayaking, but I'm also keen-eyed looking out for them because I'm a snake guy.... Funny, its spiders that get me, not snakes. But blowing wind and close proximity to trees and bushes can be dangerous. Buddy of mine was fishing a hot spot when he was blown into a bush...that happened to house a big hornet's nest, unseen. He had to purposefully capsize to avoid a full-on sting fest.

Welcome aboard, Jeff!

What size braid, and what size leader(s)? My St. Croix Legend Tournament (spinning) has micro guides, and the larger the leader, the bigger the knot, (All Hail Master of the Obvious!! ) , and the more contact it will make going through the tip. I've never worried about it striking the eyelet in terms of damage. Another thing that'll catch it is tag ends that are a tad too long. Oh, and while I use the Alberto, more often I'm using the uni-to-uni. With 10 or 15# PowerPro and 6-8# test leader I'm not having much issue with micro guides. 10# and the tick on the cast is a little more prominent. You'll get people suggesting the FG knot, but since you are just getting into leaders, it is probably not best for you, tho it is the thinnest knot, it's also the longest for bass fishing. There are YouTube how-to vids for it....