LCG

Braid should be fine. I used to leave a two piece rod spooled with braid to leader in my car, never had any effects. Now I don't leave anything in the car, unless on vacation.

3" curly tail grub on a jig head about 8 years ago. It started a passion for fishing that I love.

Water color dictates color for me. Stained to muddy = Junebug, clear to stained = watermelon red. With lures stained to muddy = chartuesse and white, black and blue, firetiger. In clear water more the color of the forage, more natural colors. Weather dictates what Lure or plastic I fish. Hot summer day, not a cloud in the sky, no wind = finness, Ned, weightless worm. Clouds, a little wind = spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, texas rigged brush hog, Beaver style baits. I adjust as conditions dictate. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I look for wood, brush, overhanging trees, Rocky areas, and weed lines.

I put either one full wrap of electrical tape or a mono backing, which also helps use less braid.

I bought a few war eagle finness spinnerbaits in 5/16oz,actual weight is. 56oz and I really like them so far.

Thanks for the ebay tips @NOC 1 and @bulldog1935. I already ordered the replacement from Shimano Canada. I like the stock handle fine and if I ever sell it, it's probably best to keep it stock. Not that I plan on selling it anytime soon, but just in case. Thanks for the suggestions, always appreciate helpful advice.

I only own three rod combos, 6'6" - 6'9". All work very well for me for kayak, boat, or bank.

I did find the replacement handle through Shimano Canada, it's about $50 all in, so I will probably order it as my OCD will focus on it :). But at least it's functional for now. Love this forum for all the knowledge sharing.

Thank you so much for your advice. I took two pliers wrapped in electrical tape and was able to straighten out the handle, not perfect but pretty close. I ended up scratching the handle a bit when the pliers slipped, but no big deal. Really appreciate your help. Thank you.

I was out bank fishing this morning and slipped on the muddy bank, landing on my JDM Shimano SLX MGL 71HG. As a result, the reel handle is bent to the point I can't reel in line. Not sure if anything else is damaged yet, but don't think so. I went home and swapped out the handle with one from my Curado K and it seems to retrieve fine and drag is working fine. So, other than being full of mud and some hurt pride, the reel seems OK. But in need of a replacement handle. I know I can call Shimano (Canada) and order direct. But, wondering if there might be other options. Not sure where to look or what the cost would be. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The 6'8" M-XF spinning rod is very versatile in my experience. I have the carbonlite 2.0 and it's rated 1/8-1/2oz. I use it it for all things spinning. Ned rigs, neko rigs, drop shot, wacky, weightless, 1/8oz texas rig worm, etc.

I have 20lb suffix 832 braid to a 6lb leader. Same diameter and haven't had a wind know in a year and a half so far. I did get wind knots with 10lb braid, but in a different reel so it's probably not a fair comparison. I would say 10-20lb braid is fine on a spinning reel. I have an extra spool of 10lb suffix to try out but no bug need to change it out.

I would go with 12lb big game for all around versatility. Be sure to spool it with the line coming off the top of the spool of the line, otherwise the memory will be horrible. When you cast, do it smoothly. Nice easy fluid movement. Always keep light contact with your thumb on the spool when casting, it will help with backlashes. Set spool tension loose-medium and brakes high at first, work your way down as you get more comfortable.

Fellow resident of Ontario here. Ordered a Shimano SLX MGL last fall, got a call from fed ex for around $36 cad duty. The reel ended up being under $200 all in. Still saved money and the reel is great. I would buy again. Shipping is ridiculously fast. Only a few days. Plus our dollar is up lately so that will help.

All about the plastic worm, trick worm or senko. #1 confidence bait.

I have the SLX MGL and a Curado K. No issues at all. From what your describing, I don't think it's the AR.

This is why I enjoy kayak fishing, a friendly wave as I float by. No chit chat or meeting some odd people that I have met while bank fishing. A few situations where I played out a few scenarios in my head due to some seriously sketchy people. That's not relaxing in any way.

My finesse set up is a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 6'8" M-XF rated for 1/8-1/2 oz. That's some rod manufacturers medium light, others medium. I pair it with a Shimano Stradic FL 2500 spooled with 20lb braid to 6-10lb leader. Super smooth drag and retrieve. This set up can do alot. Ned's, neko, wacky, weightless texas rig, 1/8oz texas rig, drop shot, shake head, inline spinners,etc. I know this is above your price point. The rod goes on sale often at BPS. The fenwick HMG medium light is another good finesse rod. Shimano makes the nexave reel that's budget friendly, never used one just played with it in the store. Felt good. Daiwa makes some good reels as well.

Having a kayak has opened up so much more fishing opportunities for me. The access you can get, stealth, good exercise. Yes there is some tradeoffs, but if you can adjust, I think it is a great investment.

I live in Southern Ontario and we have some of the strictest laws and seasons. I don't for the life of me understand it. Majority of people catch and release, why not just have a year round catch and release season. Then an open catch and keep season. Seems much simpler and clear cut than catching a bass on a crappie jig and fearing some serious fines and /or siezure of all equipment and license.

Thanks everyone for your input. It's been there for a few years, but I am just starting to learn more about the finer points of bass habitats. I have caught bass in it, but usually above the weeds. It's thick stuff, sometimes snags a Texas rig, but definitely snags almost every other lure. I usually target laydowns, flooded timber, Rocky areas, and shaded areas under trees. Now it time to to conquer whatever Vegetation this stuff is. Hydrilla, chara, or pond weed, this stuff must have some big ones in it, under it, or around it. It's very green.

I am not familiar with the terms for various types of aquatic Vegetation, but a pond that I love to fish is now covered in this stuff and will be most of the summer. Does anyone know what this type of weed is called?

I am not familiar with the terms for various types of aquatic Vegetation, but a pond that I love to fish is now covered in this stuff and will be most of the summer. Does anyone know what this type of weed is called?

I tried big game mono a few years ago. I think I put it on the reel wrong, because after 15 mins I took it off. It coiled badly and jumped off the spool. Flash forward a few years and I wanted to try it again, this time a but more knowledgeable. I have one reel spooled with 10lb big game and the other with 15lb. So far so good, I must have spooled it wrong the first time. Strong line so far. One thing I don't really get though... Everyone says big game stretches. But I set my drag to slip on a hard hook set, I can't imagine that it creates that much stretch. I have landed a few decent fish so far this year and can't say I felt this stretch being a huge deal. Still in the early testing phase but so far it seems fine.

At the beginning of the season I tie a Lure like a spinnerbait, hook it to one end of my coffee table, walk down the hall, and with the line tight, do a few hard hook sets and set the drag to just slip a bit at the end power of a hook set. I leave it there. This protects the rod, reel, and line.