Arv

I just prefer fighting fish on lighter gear (when appropriate), casting or spinning. My new favorite combo is a DX 742c w/ a Lews TP. Catching a 1# bass on that set up is totally different than catching one on a heavy power rod.

Dobyns DX 744c, Lews TP 7.1:1, 50# braid (leader optional) - jigs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, senkos, Fat Ika's, toads Dobyns DX 742c, Lews TP 7.1:1, 30# braid (leader optional) - jigs, shakey heads, senkos, texas rigs, rage rigs maybe a lipless crank if I don't have my cranking rod Dobyns DX 742sf, Daiwa Tierra 2500, 20# braid (leader optional) - shakey head/wacky worms, flick-shake, drop shot, tubes Dobyns Champion 705cb (graphite) Lews TP 6.4:1, 30# braid (leader optional) - treble hook lures Another medium power spinning rod, my wife just broke my 6'8 Cumara A spinning rod so I'm looking at a DX/Champion 703sf, Daiwa Tierra 2000, 15# braid (leader optional) - weightless plastics, jigs, shakey heads, texas rigs I normally wouldn't write all that out but I'm really trying to avoid studying for finals. Don't know if that's helpful, but its what I use. I fish out of a kayak as well.

This is a solid place to start. If I am bank fishing I usually only carry 2-3 set ups and it really depends on where I am going. Smaller ponds, I bring lighter gear. Lakes and rivers where I will be fishing heavier cover, I bring heavier gear.

You should be able to find a Lews TP for under 160 if you shop around. IMO, easily the best bang for your buck when you find them at that price

Lol, I knew Brian would be all over this. I have a Lews TP on mine with 30# braid and I like it a lot. I'm sure any of those reels you mentioned will be excellent. The 742c is quickly becoming one of my favorite rods I've ever used

Depends on the weight and the wire hook, probably depth and cover as well. I'll fish jigs on a medium power spinning and casting rod, but they don't go over 1/4oz max

yup

If you can afford the TP, get the TP.

This is usually what I do. I only buy them 3/16 - 1/4 and up.

They don't fish "girly."

yes

I do. Or just go strait braid. Depends on what I'm fishing.

Medium or Medium Heavy depending on the rod and the conditions

You may have bypassed it on the first page since the thread has jumped to the second.

Bass pro pro qualifier on sale

At 150-200 the St. Croix Avid M/M or MH/M would be worth looking at.

Lighter line/smaller diameter lines may cast lighter weights better as well, given everything is appropriate.

Sounds good to me

Kvd because Kevin makes it himself! But seriously, it's good stuff

I've liked the Shimano reels over the Abu reels in the past

Right now, DX 744c w/ Lews TP. I just got the DX 742c, also w/ a Lews TP, and I would not be surprised if this one takes the lead.

Lots of fun creatures out there, some I haven't spent enough time with to say I'd take them over a brush hog yet. So. Brush hog is numero uno right now

Holy smokes! Did you stuff a softball down its gut before you took pictures?

Like others have said, its really impossible to know w/o a scale. Especially with nothing to reference against, I would guess anywhere from 3 - 8lbs.

I don't hate it. I just prefer the manageability of braid. I'll use an fc leader if need be with no problems. As far as spooking fish, I don't think it makes much of a difference. If caught fish in clear water with braid before.