Darren.

Rob, have your friend read a bit of this article about an FLW pro who uses nothing but spinning. He goes way heavier than I do - fishes different techniques. https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

You've got two threads going for the same thing, then. Did you not find an answer in this one for the Pflueger? As for the $175 combo, look around for a ML rod in the $100 range like a Carbonlite, Veritas, etc., and grab a Sahara as @WRB suggested, or a Pflueger President, Daiwa Legalis...all solid in the sub-$100 range.

This is what I do, as well, as much as possible.

Welcome aboard! Great catches, man!

The way the hook bends upward gives me pause. I like the idea, though. For me, I just tie my own weedguards on Zman Ned rig jigheads, or I buy their version with the wire guard.

Welcome aboard, @Tristan Hayes! Good advice above. That reel is a great inshore reel based on what I've read. If you like 7' rods, then there are plenty that will offer both salt (inshore) and fresh capabilities. In fact nearly any rod will work so long as it is rinsed afterward in fresh water.

I've got Fast and XF rods, and there was a time I'd have said XF for everything (within what we're talking here), but like @NHBull said, paraphrased, no two are the same. Case in point for me, my two Shimano Compre (old cork) rods were both XF rated, but compared to my Fast rated Avid (then) and now Premiere, and even the Carbonlites, the Compres were less twitchy. Strange, that.

Welcome back!

I don't know if it's the "holy grail" for smallies, but I've talked to a number of folk down my way that absolutely love the James River up Richmond way. One even takes kayak trips several times a year to float down and smallie fish. Is on my "eventually gonna do it" bucket list, the James River, that is. Richmond way.

The seller I bought from has a 99.9% rating, but must have sold all their inventory since I bought mine back in 2012. Torch Sports is the name and they only have one item left. So not much help.

Stupid is as Stupid does, apparently. I can only imagine the stuff you've seen, or the wrecks you've had to "rescue". Seen too much Stupid on freshwater - even electric-only, believe it or not! My sons' know "don't be that guy...ever".

Welcome aboard, Bryan!

Welcome aboard!

Just FYI, I did not know this, there's now a Titan 12, and it's just started shipping this month. Fully rigged is 138 pounds So 10.5, 12, and 13.5... http://nativewatercraft.com/product/titan-propel-12/

Welcome back!

I rescind my previous comment that'd I'd "probably" opt for the PA12. Been watching vids of the Titan 10.5 and holy cow it looks awesome and almost perfect for what I would want to use it for. Would be a tough decision w/o testing each. I bet Hobie would do well with a PA 10.5, eh? Not to mention cost: 10.5 $2499 vs PA12 $3399

https://nativewatercraft.com/product/titan-propel-10-5/

Here's one fix:

I'd be rich if I knew the answer Do you drop shot? Ned rig? Wacky? Just three choices to add. Caught my PB of 7.5 and a mess of bass over 6# on wacky rigs.

I've heard that about the drive, and also heard Hobie has fixed that in 180 2.0. But I agree, that should have been vetted and tested to the extreme before release. Have you done the fixes that are out there? (Paracord, etc.)

First, congrats on getting a tax refund - at all - let alone big enough for one of these boyaks (Boat-Kayak)!! I haven't had a refund in going on 20 years. That said, I have only sat in the PA12, and really like the new 180 Mirage drive. The Titan is getting some rave reviews as an absolute beast, as well. You'd have to take your pick as to whether you want the complete pedal motion or the push-push of the PA12 and the extra reach to go into reverse. If I were to drop the $$ today, I'd probably opt for the PA12 although I would like to at least sit in the Titan to be certain. Not sure I'd drop to the 10.5' tho. And I'm 5'7". It would be more maneuverable though. I currently have a Native Ultimate 12 which is super stable, and is motorized, so I've got a pretty comfy rig, but not as much storage options as either PA or Titan.

Welcome aboard! Plenty of CA folks on the forums that will chime in with some advice. Good luck!

I have a very healthy fear of big water in my kayak. In part because it's a hybrid with no scupper holes. Secondly, I don't trust other boaters. Too many times I hear boasts from people around about how many beers they or their buds threw down on a fishing trip, etc. I don't want to be a dent in their hull. Now that I'm also fishing in salt, I do venture out a little more than I have in fresh. That said, I try to stay close to shore and out of the boat channels as much as possible. If I see a boat coming I try to get out of the way as quickly as I can.

Welcome aboard! I have no experience with the CL 2 rods other than hands-on in-store. That said, I've got the earlier black and white models in both casting and spinning from Medium to one MH. The MH is great for jigs, TX rigs, and so on. You'll get a lot of use out of it.

I bought a similar batt at Batteries Plus locally for my 30 pound thrust MinnKota on back of my kayak. I can go for hours! Never been depleted yet. Methinks it'd do what you need.