Darren.

For me, I generally tie a leader one or *maybe* two arm lengths apart. Mostly one. Then I retie when it gets down to maybe 2 feet or so.... Generally. I am not a stickler on when to retie, but I can say I don't let it get past 12-16". Also, as to Gary Yamamoto's leader length, he once tied on 20 feet or more because he liked to have the leader knot on the reel when fighting the fish close to the boat. Don't have the reference, but it was prominent in the material I read. Me, I don't worry about the knot since I try to balance the rod, drag, and fish-play methods in order to land a larger bass w/o breaking.

Welcome aboard! I use 1000 Stradics on ML, MF, and MXF rods up to 6'6". All spooled with 10 or 15# PowerPro + leader, used for wacky, TX, drop shot, and everything in between. 2500 will balance better on longer rods, but I find 1000 pairs great with my rods (St. Croix Premiere, Legend Tourn., Bass Pro Carbonlites, etc.) extremely well.

Welcome aboard, Shelly!

Welcome, Anthony!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, John! Like @flyfisher, I too go the kayak route, though I am motorized . So many all-electric impoundments in VA!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! My fav? Stradic CI4+ 1000

Welcome aboard! I'd go for the 1000, if only because that size is my size of choice for bass fishing - I've got a mess of 1000 Stradics. For added drag, I just palm the spool with whatever pressure I need, if at all. Loads and loads of bass over 6# caught with them.

No idea how heavy that rod is, but I would think a larger reel would balance it better. I found a 1000 Stradic to balance perfectly on a BPS Carbonlite - 6'6" spinning rod. You're talking 10" longer, and the Carbonlite is pretty darn light. Absolutely love my 1000 CI4+, FK, FJ, and FI reels (in that order). We do have a 2500 FJ on my son's 7' ugly stick inshore select rod he uses for salt water. Rod balance is not bad with it. So I'd think you could swing a 2500 for balance.

This is what ya need to cure the mole problem!

Aint it the truth! Dang mole runs busted my old lab's knees up pretty bad. Rest his loving soul...

Quite unusual, but hey, if it was swimming, it was food! Via Nat Geo: http://relay.nationalgeographic.com/proxy/distribution/public/amp/2017/06/moles-bass-missouri-fishing-picture-spd

Welcome, Matteo!

Welcome, Zach!

Hi David, welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Adam!

Welcome aboard! Music gear can be pricey too!! But I hang on to my guitars... Fishing purchases fluctuates more, so yeah, more pricey.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! Whatever you do, do NOT try the Ned rig. It is awful, horrible, and never, ever works.

Welcome aboard, and welcome to the addiction

Wow. A tale of the one that got away for the ages!

LOL. There are some prices on Amazon that I leave scratching my head over. Tools, things that cost $20 going for hundreds, then this. Crazy.

Waaay back I used snap swivels all the time. And I did catch fish. But unless I'm tying a saltwater rig, I don't use snap-swivels. Just snaps. Not sure why not, but I've trusted opinions on the matter from guys "in the know" and wandered away from it for freshwater purposes.

That FG is best is subjective, dependent on the person tying it. Some here are proficient at it and good on them! Others, it is not worth the time or effort. I do not find it best by any stretch. Good? Sure, easy to tie, no. Good for all diameters of line, no. Braid to leader: 1) Uni-to-uni 2) Alberto In that order for me. Line to hook: Uni or Palomar (straight braid, or leader)