Fishingmickey

Breaking off at the lure "mid-air" happens because something abruptly stopped the line, snag or backlash, causing the leader to stretch and snap.

Flushdraw, I think this is it. My logic is based off of this. You mentioned how tight you run your drag, the "pistol shot" when the line snapped and the fact you're using 30lb braid to leader. Those clue make me think your having "dig in" issues. Your braid has dug into the spool and causes a sudden stop during your cast aka mid-cast. You had a snag earlier at that spot in your spool and with a tight drag your braid "dug into" the braid trying to get it loose or got it loose. When your 5/8 oz lure hit that spot and stopped suddenly it transmits a serious shock load from the momentum of the bomb cast. Your weakest point is the knot where your lure is tied. It wasn't a weak knot or you wouldn't have gotten the "pistol shot" from your line snapping.
So if you have to pull hard on the line to free your lure always pull some additional line off past the "snag" point to make sure there is no dig in. I at time will drag my lure behind and let out like 75 yards or more of line and reel back in to prevent dig in.
FM

Someone doesn't know their port from starboard.
FM

That looks like a really awesome time Bulldog, This is the perfect time of year to hit the coast too.
Fishingmickey

The set up is probably fine for trolling small to medium sized baits for trout.  One of the questions that comes to mind is how big are the fish your targeting?  If it is 15-20# Lake trout in 40'+ deep water you'd have to upsize.  Stocker trout to maybe 5 lbs you'd be fine.  There are a ton of combos that you can put together that are much nicer then the Ugly Stik.  The GX2 is not a bad rod.  Just not sure what reel they would have it paired with. Both Diawa and Shimano make some pretty decent spinning reels for fairly cheap ($30-70.00ish range).  Not many rods in that 6' range.  Most start at 6'6".  The Diawa Aird X line is good quality rod for cheap. Shimano make the Convergence and Sellus line of rods.  There are many others too! 
Good luck and welcome aboard!
Fishing mickey

I've been wearing Wolverine Durashock Raider model for years.  I watch for sales and I am on the Wolverine mailing list. I buy straight from Wolverine. I can usually get them for around a hundred.
FM

Hi Rboat,
     I wouldn't try jumping it. I'd be very scared of blowing something up or letting "the smoke" out. I think you'd stand a good chance at frying your lithium battery if you tried jumping it and maybe even cause a explosion of the lead acid battery, or battery fire/fry your lithium battery. It would also depend on the size of the motor and battery rating.
     A trolling battery in lithium Ion wouldn't be rated for the amp draw needed to turn over your starter.  Depending on the size of your trolling motor full load amperage rating verses your motor starter.
Regards,
FM

Both would probably be fine. I'd lean SLX before Fury. That's just my opinion, I felt the Fury rods are heavy (weight wise) or the one's I have handled. You might also see if they have the Diawa Aird X. It's is another spinning rod that is very nice at a budget price.
FM

Kevin,
    Use your drag. The weakest link in your chain from you to the fish is the light wire hooks your using. You said your using 50# braid to a 15# leader. If that leader is Yozuri hybrid or Berkley big game or several of the other manufactuers. They say it is 15# but it really is anywhere from 17-20# breaking strength. Adjust your drag! Try experimenting. Go hook your hook to a fence post of something unmovable and see how much force it takes to bend it. Then turn your drag down until it slips before the hook bends. That should get you close.
    If your fishing heavy cover and want to winch the fish straight in. Lock down your drag, ditch the leader and ski-em in.
Good luck!
FM

If you can tell you've gotten bit on the T-rigged worm. It's no different then feeling a jig bite. You're already there IMHO.
FM
p.s. Fishing with a bait caster with Jig's or T-rigged worm. 7' MH fast and a 7:1 retrieve reel will work just fine. 12-16# line, I'd start with a quality mono (Berkely Big game or XL), only fill the spool about 3/4 until you get comfortable casting. That way when you get that "Oh shucks" birds nest you can re-spool and go at it again. 
FM

Hello Mo,
     I have one, I like it, it's a decent rod.  I bought it several years ago.  I ordered it and it took several months for it to arrive.  It's nothing special.  I'm not planning on getting another one. I didn't feel like it's a good bang for the buck.
FM

The ratings are there for a guide line.  It's OK to run 50#braid on a MH rod that may be rated 12-20lbs. Just take it into consideration when you get hung up with your 50# braid or pulling in that 30lb pile of weeds that you could easily break the rod pulling on the snag or weed pile.  The general rod classifications are Ultra light 2-4lb lines, Light - 4-10lb, Medium light or Medium 6-12 or 14lbs. Medium heavy is 10-12 to 18-20lb line. Heavy 16-25llb line. Again it is general and the rating will vary by manufacturer.
Hope that helps,
FM

I found this after clicking your link to the bill:
This bill will make it unlawful for any person to organize, sponsor, conduct, promote or participate in any contest, competition, tournament, or derby with the objective of taking or hunting wildlife for prizes for other inducement, or for entertainment. This does not include contests for hunting white-tailed deer, turkey, bear, or fishing contests.  
So it sounds like the fishing tournaments are safe for now.
 
FM

Got wide shoulders, big muscles? A lot of weight in the upper body? Physics is the reaction to the reaction of you leaning over and getting that weight off of the center line / balance point of your kayak. such as twisting to reach behind you.  The kayak will take the path of least resistance and slide out from underneath you like stepping on a bar of soap. You're gonna need a bigger boat, Biggin.

Hello Alfred and welcome to Bass Resource!
     If your wanting to go places (spot to spot). It's the Torqueedo for me. If your wanting to hold position and fish a offshore spot then the Xi3 with spot lock is the way to go.   I'm running a Torqueedo 1103AC on my PA14.  Full throttle speed is 6.1-6.3. If I pedal assist and I can come close to hitting 7mph.  Full throttle will suck the battery down quick at 1,100 watts draw.  At 1/3 throttle (350 watts draw) I'm running about 5mph.  It is much faster then the Xi3 will push it.
     Torqueedo draw backs, It's expensive!  But take into consideration that you don't have to buy a battery.  You have to use Torqueedo's battery (29volt 31 AH).  An upside to having the Torqueedo is the throttle controller with the watts read out, range and battery charge percentage left is a big plus.  The Torqueedo really gives me the ability to go much further from my launch point without losing nearly as much fishing time.  We usually have a 15-30 minute window between launch time and lines in.  I have yet to run my battery dry during a tournament.
     I'm looking at the spot lock motor's and thinking about maybe adding another kayak to the stable.  The Xi3 is the only trolling motor that has a specific version built for a kayak.
Regards,
Fishingmickey
 

KYK,
    I remove mine every time. It is easy to do and the 1103AC weighs about 33lbs (15.3 Kg). It's very easy to remove. One lever unlocks it from the motor bracket.  My trailer will bounce with the kayak going over almost any kind of bump/pot hole/railroad track.  That 33lbs hanging off the back end in either the up or down position would generate some pretty good forces.
     One thing experience has taught me is to be careful of (IMHO) is attaching the motor power cord to the battery. It's plastic threads that are pretty fine and can easily be cross-threaded. So take the extra couple of seconds to make sure it is properly threaded and don't force it.  I screw it backwards till I feel the threads seat properly then tighten.
Regards,
FM

I once experimented with a trolling motor on my brothers 17' racing canoe. I did not have the trolling motor turned straight when I powered it up, It flipped me in a second. It the canoe is large enough and stable enough I am sure you'll be fine. 
    Standard spinning tackle medium & medium light 7' rods should work fine. 6-8# test mono or fluoro or braid if you want. One thing to be careful with is to make sure your lure isn't spinning. Check it's action while moving before you make the drop.
Good luck, have fun and report back!
FM