Darren.

Welcome aboard!

Never used braid for backing, typically cheap mono... I do/have spooled straight braid with no backing....

Welcome aboard, Seth! 16 and a licensed Stihl mech, eh?! Wow, good on ya lad!

I assume you mean the CI4+, right? CI4 is previous model with the round handle grips. While I haven't used a Patriarch, I have and own a CI4+ 1000. By far, my favorite reel among all my Stradics. Smooth, light, powerful.

That does look pretty interesting. Also like the single hook design. Don't see it joining my arsenal, though. Just started tying my own bucktails which, along with soft swimbaits, is my bread-n-butter for my new addiction, striper fishing!

Wow! Kirk van Douglas, the original KvD! Yeah, I know, I just had to add the "van" to make it work. I'll show myself out....

Welcome to the forums! There's a few gear junkies here to keep you company . Wait, I see you joined back in 2013! But your first posts are almost 4 years after! You been mighty busy with your "beer" gear, eh .

Holy smoke! Giant Beasts of Mexico!! Fantastic stuff! Time to update your "My PB:" in your profile One of these years I'll get down there....

Pretty slick! I'm not that organized, LOL. My stuff is in tackle boxes, or storage boxes.

Welcome aboard, Adam!

Sorry to hear about your daughter. And yeah, grandsons will need to be followed up and cleaned up after, too, LOL! Hope you and yours have an awesome Christmas, too!

It's the preparation for the party! Wife has long list of things needing to be done before everyone arrives. And since we have boys, none of it can be done early, since it will all be messed up and dirty again before the party. And yes, the boys get put to work, too. If any of y'all have sons, you understand

I'll try!

That's about 35 minutes from me! Given the proximity to Xmas, not sure my wife would let me go (family holiday party), but if I can swing by, I will!

Welp...down in my area the call for snow is getting stronger. Saturday is to start as rain, then mixed, then snow by later in the PM. Problem of it all, one of my boys has a soccer tourney in Richmond this weekend....

Welcome aboard! While this isn't sold as a trailer, it can be used as one: Yamamoto shad-shape worm. I use these for drop shotting, wacky rigging, mojo rigs, TX rigs. It is a killer soft plastic for me. Have tried it as a trailer once, but haven't since. Could be used on a jig. Otherwise, I'd look at Zoom, Zman, Bass Pro, Cabelas brand grubs, creature baits, craws for trailers.

DOH! Yeah, I think we did have this convo before. I know I mentioned it in another thread, LOL. Hope you can find what happened to them!

If you re-read my post, and check the video, you'll see my setup is different. Works great with 6lb fluoro. I use these bobber stops: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HBDTCW0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sounds good! I love my ML Premier, is a 6' rod that I actually shortened to about 5'9" I like the accuracy of short rods for tight quarters, skipping, etc. Has great action. I think you'll be happy with your setup.

4000 size reels are too big for me, but that doesn't mean they are for you. Actually, I'd use a 4000 for saltwater as opposed to fresh. But my pref is 1000 size for both. That said, if the setups feel good in your hands (balance, etc.) then they are fine. Braid is my preferred line, and I would think 12lb XL may be a tad too big, and could be a coil headache when the weather is colder. Would help to use some Line & Lure conditioner on it to keep it supple. There's a FLW pro who uses nothing but spinning reels and I believe they are all 4000 size.

Interesting experiences. Edit: I've re-read this thread, and my setup is not the same. I only use TWO bobber stops, one above the hook, one below the hook. Then I tie on a drop shot weight at the end. Simple, very effective, and works like a champ. No problems with it at all in salt and fresh water. I use thin/narrow bobber stops I got off Amazon, not the bulbous ones you buy at Bass Pro. Got the idea from Gary Senft.

Welcome aboard, firstly! What model St. Croix are you looking at? ML is a nice power for Croix rods, they are actually somewhere between other brands ML and M rods. Sweet spot, IMO. I use 10 and 15# Power Pro for all my spinning gear, and always with a leader (that's my pref, not any sort of rule that you need to use one). 20 will be fine, but you can go less. What spinning reel are you looking to pair with the rod?

Some recent catches in the York River, and its creeks.

I'd call myself a finesse fisherman, i.e., I tend to mostly use lighter gear, specifically, 1000 size Stradics, which some consider, wrongly IMO, that they're ultralight reels. Anyhow, I love fishing for bass with a ML rod and 1000 reel. Makes for lots of fun. I've never once felt my reels were not up to the task. In fact, I'm using them for inshore use now, hard fighting striper, red drum, etc. Know how to play the fish, utilize drag, leverage the rod, etc.

Hang in there, mate! Hope you get the job, good luck!