Choporoz

Braid?

Maybe 85% spinning...and about 85% casting....:) Depends greatly. I fish swift smallie rivers...deep ledge-y lakes....thick spatterdock coves....shallow tidal rivers...busy dock-filled waters....whether in a boat or kayak or from shore, I always have a minimum of one of each with me...their utilization rates on any one day vary greatly

https://www.bassresource.com/beginner/beginning_fishing.html

That DSG Flash Sale ^ also has 2500 yd spools of Seaguar Kanzen (green 8 to 60#) for $50 edit: just saw the poor experiences with Kanzen posted above...maybe not the greatest line...but, ....that price...:)

Today's DSG Flash Sale has Pflueger President Combo for $60. That's a $50 reel and a $40 or $50 rod, IMO.

DSG has a flash sale right now...Pflueger President combo for $60....you can basically get the rod for $10. I have one Pflueger spinning rod and it is great, though a bit heavier than I expected for the med classification. For small cranks, I'd get the 6'6" Light.

I've been fishing for 50 years and I can't always tell the difference between wood and fish. If I took that mindset and worried about snags, I'd catch FAR fewer fish than I do. As I tell every 'less experienced' person that fishes with me, "Just set the hook"....I NEVER get upset about having to maneuver to un-snag (mine or my partners')...If you aren't there 'in the wood and rocks', you aren't getting to the fish. Maybe I should qualify that just a little....I just MIGHT get upset after repeated snags in wood that's above the surface

FishGrips. Even if you don't use the scale, they're a must-own.

Close on a map....not even close comparing bass fishing

I've taken a couple of steps to try to mitigate....just a little when renting boats around here. (My kayak has Lowrance, thankfully.) - I bought cheapest Humminbird Fishin Buddy...around $100, IIRC. Useless for marking fish, but good enough for depth. - For the rez (and Potomac...and Anna), I got the GMCO map http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/cats/fish/fish-va.htm#p4 - Not made for detail work, but a start: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelakepark/downloads/lakedepth.pdf One last thing...don't waste too much time before getting on to Hunting Run. For me, that's the best place to rent/fish within an hour from here. Search for @Wayne P.'s posts before you go, and you'll feel like you know it before you ever get your line wet. I also like Anna, but the only place I've found that rents (other than pontoons) is Sturgeon Creek...and, while a decent enough option, that has some challenges.

probably.....what school's colors are junebug red flake? AND...if you could only take the colors from one college football conference, which one would you pick?!?

Been over a month since I was on there...and grass was already coming up. TBH, I don't like fishing Burke much. It is close, convenient, pretty, undeveloped....but tough for me to fish. I admit that the last three times I was on, I was fishing from my yak it was windy as heck...but, even from a boat, I've always struggled there. I have marked fish on dramatic drops, humps, ledges....frequently...just don't catch them. I've caught a few from shoreline cover, but never anything to brag about. If you have sonar for the rental, I think you'll at least give yourself a fighting chance.

aaaannddddd.....away we go ....

I'm looking for first hand opinions/reviews of Manley Rods. Did the search thing...here and across the interwebs. I did see that there's more than a couple BR members who have used them, so I'd like to hear your observations. Revolutionary might be a pretty strong word, but from the 'kayak focused design'; to the MRF adjustable butts, to the microwave guides, to the proprietary blanks...these rods are pretty dramatically different from most on the market. They've got my attention, but I haven't seen enough reports about how they fish - specifically the sensitivity, ratings vs reality, power, durability, etc. What are your thoughts and observations?

Longer butts get caught on my shirt, sleeve, PFD, side of yak, crate, etc. True story: A couple years ago after I got my kayak, I noticed a bruise on the inside of my left bicep....couldn't figure how it got there....showed my wife, and sure enough...she had one in the same place on her right arm. Turns out, it was the spinning rod butt pinching or slamming into our arms when setting the hook. (She's right handed...I'm LH) Of less importance, is the ease of getting them in and out of holders behind me.

To elaborate on a couple of points.... -Length: you have some experience fishing from your yak, so you probably have your own opinions already, but if you haven't tried a variety of butt-lengths, mix it up to find what works for you -- for me, a short butt is even more important than overall rod length. -Ratings: My comment on frogs and buzzbaits should have emphasized that fishing those lures from a yak is different than from a boat or from shore. Your yak WILL move when you lay into a fish....that will give back some of the power, so a bit heavier (than 'normal') is where I'll start looking -Braid digging in: I actually have more problem with heavier braid digging in...but I think that's probably a function of me being willing to try to pull heavy jigs out of wood because of the 50-60# 'rope' I'm using. I use braid from 12 to 60 and 'digging-in' just isn't a big enough problem for my consideration

IMHO, you 'need' a MHF for the techniques listed. I'd probably go with 7', but would consider going down towards 6'. I can't use "Mod" for frogs or buzzbaits...or even chatterbaits....well, I can cast them...just can't set the hook

I don't fish tournaments, nor 'secret water', etc...I've seen no reason to keep much to myself. However, I'm probably the 'other guy' in these conversations. I've no doubt that some eyes have rolled and lies been told when I've asked others how they're doing/did. Despite likely skepticism of my 'motives', I'm just asking to be friendly, share...and especially to learn. I'm not trying to get in on anyone's 'spot'. I was just trying to understand....let's see...winds from south, recent rains...current down...were bass orienting to steep, slack side of main lake point?....if so, why?...are they chasing moving baits, or only hitting dead sticks? I like to discuss fishing for bass...and my motives are (mostly?) pure, but I know very well, that I meet up with guys view me as some sort of enemy spy or combatant. I read people fairly well, and know when to shut up, but if you wanna talk specifics about bass fishing, I'm going to listen...and ask questions...sorry in advance

shoot, @Redlinerobert....I was trying to figure out who was posting as Brit...you were the leading candidate...hmmm....maybe deak? ....sure hope it aint Frosty

If that sort of deal is avail to the public, I'd appreciate a PM, as well. I haven't even held the current generation ET's, but if they're half the rod of the 'older' Smallmouth ET's, I'd buy one sight unseen at or near that price.

Got my order in. Thank you. I do wish the sale ended today, however...

True that. Unfortunately, I seem to be able to catch decent catfish on just about anything throw at bass

bits and pieces of all the posters who asked me to pick one this, and three that....and a couple live bait hooks

That was a powerful piece. I've done nothing to learn more than what was on that show...so, I'm sure there's other versions...nuances...but the story did make a pretty good case.

I used Walmart deep cycle for a number of years with little problem. But last couple didn't last near as long as older ones. I changed to Interstate and could NOT be happier. One size 27 will troll me around (MK 35) 8 hrs or more with NO perceived loss of power. Maintenance has always been a non-issue. Other than keeping them on a charge when you aren't using them.