Jrob78

The Advantage reels are great work horse type reels. I have a HSTA that I absolutely love. Even though it is wide, it palms nicely. My work horse reels are Zillions and E Series Curados. If I had to choose one reel though, it would be a Daiwa Fuego. It gets used on just about every trip.

To me, flat sided crankbaits and longer, shad style baits usually have a tighter wobble. I like bulbous square bills for a wide wobble bait.

You have a solid budget, that should get you something really nice. I paddle a Ride 135 and like it a lot. Don't forget to put some back for at least a paddle and pfd to get started.

This model is very popular with kayak fisherman, I know several guys that run the Elite 4X.

You need to go to Mariner Sails in Dallas. They have everything you need. My buddy carries his kayak on his little Kia hatchback with no roof rails. There are several different systems that will work for you. Also, I believe Academy carries the Perception Pescador, that is probably about the best bang for your buck on a less expensive new yak. Like gallowaypt said though, you can find some smoking deals on used boats if you're patient. That website I mentioned earlier has a "classifieds" section in the kayak forum, start there.

Yeah, I just meant braid has a longer usable life span. I've had braid on reels for 2 years before, I wouldn't do that with fluoro.

There are a lot of reasons to spool with straight fluoro. Fluoro sinks so it isn't effected by wind. You don't get bows in your line, which helps you stay in better contact with your bait. Bite detection is better on a slack line. Fuoro stretches so you're less likely to tear hooks out. It bowls down to what you prefer though. Fluoro can also be a pain to deal with and you have to respool more often.

I see your in TX. You should check out the TX Fishing Forum. It has a kayak section with 100s' of DFW area kayakers and info on how to demo yaks locally. By all means read what you find here too.

I can almost guarantee there isn't anything you're going to do or say that will change this guy's mind. If he isn't breaking any laws, it's none of your business what he does.

Protect your eyes, they're the only one's you've got.

It's during the Spring Classic sale. It starts the week after the Bassmaster Classic.

That one is a mix of graphite and glass, just like the one the op asked about.

The blank on that rod is mostly fiberglass. It's going to be pretty whippy, I imagine. It probably would be ok for casting small crankbaits and small spinnerbaits. It would make a good bobber and bait rod.

Finding a good off the shelf casting rod capable of handling light weight is harder than finding a reel.

Both companies make good stuff. I wear both. Columbia is a little bit cheaper but to me, North Face's quality is a little better. When I go out for a day on the water I wear long sleeve shirts, pants, gloves, a buff and a hat. I haven't gotten a sunburn in 2 years. It makes being on the water so much more pleasant.

You're a patient dude Mike.

A ML in a casting rod is normally going to be more powerful than a ML in a spinning rod. Plus, rod power in a mod or mod/fast action crankbait rod isn't going to be as critical as it would be in say, a jig rod. Cranking is the one technique where you can get away with a less than stiff rod. Small, sharp treble hooks are easier to set.

I have 2 casting set ups I throw small crankbaits on. One is a Daiwa Sol on a custom built on a MXF spinning blank. The other is a Curado 50E on a Falcon Bucoo "medium action" rod. The Falcon is a med power with a mod-fast action but it is pretty wimpy, perfect for small square bills. Both work really well and cast plenty far.

Stroking jigs and flutter spoons is a big technique on Lake Fork during the summer. I went to a Gary Dobyns/Mark Pack seminar a couple of years ago and they talked a lot about it.

Beautiful dog. Growing up, we had a blue pit, when he passed we got a brindle pit. We got both of them when they were puppies and we never had a second of trouble. They were great dogs, great around kids and strangers. Both dogs were loved family members.

They've opened a few Grimaldi's here in Dallas. Best pizza I've ever had in my life. I've never been to the original but 2 people I know who have, say the new one's here are very close.

It sounds to me like the kid is just excited about fishing and wants to hear about other people's combos. Read the title of the thread.

I have Patriarch's and Patriarch XT's. They are awesome reels and highly underrated. The dual braking is great and my reels are buttery smooth. I don't own Revo's or Lew's but like DVT said, there shouldn't really be much difference, at least internally. To me, the Patriarch's palm much better than the Revo's, I haven't fished Lew's to compare.

I think you can get away with fluoro on everything if you don't throw topwater baits much. Sniper is a great line though.

The Revo Alt is in tackle stores now.