NYWayfarer

My choice would be a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss.

The Shimano Caenan

They are in-store deals. My DSG uses stickers (pink or yellow dot) to indicate sales on the rods. I got two of those blue elite tec spec rods for $19.99 each a few months ago. Wish I saw the Veritas 2.0 rods.

He speaks the truth. On ebay Speed Demon is also on sale for $53.99 and Stealth for $39.99

And *bleeps* of steel to be in the water in the dark with Gators.

The Stealth is great for casting weightless plastic and light lures. The cross-drilled wiffled spool is crazy light.

For bathroom breaks on the water a red solo cup works as well. It has as large an opening as anyone human will need I never leave on a kayak excursion without one.

If you are going to get both eventually, I would suggest starting with the Assassin. It is a more versatile reel than the Speed Demon. I have used mine for jerkbaits, topwater, shakyheads, tubes and T-rig Senkos.

I use the Palomar knot exclusively for everything other than tying two pieces of line together. It is an easy to learn, strong knot.

My old Pflueger Supreme came with one. I was included to protect the magnesium foot from being damaged from the reel seat. It was basically a piece of cardboard with folding tabs. Once it became unusable due to wear and tear I cut out a new one from a file folder I had laying around the house.

Glad I am not the only one that thinks this isn't a good idea.

Good eye. They got the reel in the right direction on their Field and Stream weekly flier.

The Exostick is pretty tough. I get quite a few fish out of one bait. Seems like these will last longer than the Keitech. That squid scent on the Keitech is the real magic though. Might have to put a Fat Impact in a baggie with these Exoswims and let them marinate.

It will be missed. Still one of my favorite reels. Mine is the metal reel with the lubrication port and it was less than $100 when I purchased it.

Very nice gesture. That's quite a haul!

I like, in no particular order: Abu Garcia Powell St Croix Denali Fenwick One three fishing

I am going to try these as a drop shot bait this year. Hooking it through the solid nose part seems like a great idea for dropshotting.

Get yourself an Assassin. Out of all the Kastking BC's I own (White max, Spartacus, Stealth, Assassin, Speed Demon) it's my favorite. Like @J Francho said it's light, smooth and the brakes are very forgiving of backlashes.

Second vote for this. I am liking the Berkley Fusion hooks. I like the low price and quality seems to be decent.

14 or 15lb mono is a great line to start with when first using a baitcaster.

I use 8lb Kastking Fluorokote line.

For Dropshot baits I like, in no particular order: Roboworms Biospawn Plasmatails Zoom Z Drop worms Yamamoto shad shaped worms 3 or 4" Dingers or Senkos Strike King Dreamshots (tails get bit off A LOT) Yum kill/Warning shots and sharp shooters

That stinks. I hope you find some relief. I also fish with pain (Back, neck and foot) I do it because I would rather be fishing in pain then sitting at home in pain.

Bank fishing: 1 rod. A Baitcaster or Spinning depending on what I am throwing and species I am targeting. Kayak fishing: 2 rods. 1 baitcaster for topwater, cranks or T-rigs 1 spinning for Ned rigs and or dropshots Boat fishing 3 or more rods simply because I have the room. I might add one more rod to carry with me this season. It will be a baitfeeder spinning reel and rod for Channel and Bullhead catfish.

That Trokar hook looks like a sword. Nice pics.