Darren.

You can also consider a 500 size Shimano Sahara. Excellent reel for the money. My youngest has used one for the past several years in fresh/salt with no issues (we do rinse in fresh water after every salt excursion). But it looks like 1000 is the smallest you can find in the latest models. In fact, I'm not sure Shimano does offer a 500 size any more. I use 1000 for bass fishing, but it is so versatile a size it can be used for UL fishing as well. Small, but not as small as a 500.

Nicely done!

Welcome aboard! Plenty of GA fisherfolk here that can add to your knowledge of waters there.

Cedar-based insect repellant! Great idea! I see there are several brands using cedar oil on Amazon. Anyone else have good experience with it? I've got two dogs and two cats and would love a natural solution as most I've tried have failed utterly. Like there's no true (that I've found) mosquito repellant as good as DEET....

So many quality rods at the $100 +/- price point. I ruled out many just by handling in-store as they just didn't feel right in *my* hands.

Welcome aboard!

That's what I understand. I'd love to have a go at them, too.

Well...there's that... It was more the fish that looked like a blast to catch. They are Asian bass and can grow huge!

Nice catches! Pause, look away, SURPRISE!

Nice! Have you/do you fish for barra? I saw a show here in the US with Hank Parker (pro) fishing a stocked pond in Florida, I believe. Looked like a blast to fish them.

Now that's a plan. Demo! Or if they don't have a demo program sit in each kayak and get the feel, comfort, lack of comfort, and so forth. I didn't get to demo my Ultimate, but I did do a lot of sit-in time at the store which is how I made my decision.

Welcome aboard!

I'd suggest you contact your local wildlife/animal control department and ask what to do. Honestly, if you "feel sick" about it, don't let the situation linger. Get advice from them and perhaps locals in your area. Maybe you can arrive at a solution that lets the critters live...but if not, then so be it.

I don't have any Dobyns rods experience, but I do have St. Croix Premier, Avid, and Legend Tournament experience. I love St. Croix ML power rods, but most Croix I've fished tend to be a *tad* tip-heavy. That does not diminish their quality. My most recent is a 6' Premiere ML spinning rod paired with a Stradic CI4+ and it is fantastic. I actually upgraded my Avid MXF to a Legend Tournament Walleye 6'3" MLXF (same as bass rods, but offered in more lengths) and love it as well. On casting, I use(d) a discontinued Field & Stream 6' MF rod, which my 2nd son has decided is his fav rod. It was mine before he decided it was his. Then I have two BPS Carbonlites, a black 6'6" ML and white 6'6" MH, both of which excel at their respective duties.

Welcome aboard! Over 40 years. So...a long time, eh?

LOL. I can relate, in a way. For me it was two trips getting unloaded (kayak) realizing I forgot my PFD. Call to my wife, 15-20 min later, I'm good to go. After all, I've got boys with driving permits that need practice!! That said, I've forgotten my paddle before, but I went w/o it anyway since I'm motorized. Not a common thing, mind you. I always have something to paddle with in case my motor fails!

I can attest that standing in my Native Ultimate is a much different experience than standing in my old 16' Grumman aluminum canoe. On that I put outriggers to give me some stability. On my Native Ultimate, I don't need outriggers. It is FAR more stable than was my canoe. Again, the Ultimate and the Wilderness Systems Commander are hybrids, a cross between kayak and canoe. For other brands, look at Bass Pro Ascend yaks. Get decent reviews, priced low, a bit heavy, but functional and will get the job done, standing or sitting.

Lost gear vs. lost life. I'll take lost gear any day. Eldest son and I capsized our canoe and lost a brand new cell phone, $350 camera, and more. But we survived and lived to tell the tale So have you.

And then there's this: http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/8668086/1

River otters, while cute and precocious, are still wild animals and should be respected as such. Doesn't mean you can't befriend them I would try if I lived on water they occupied. Agree with the others, they're a great sign. Hope they don't become beasts with all the hormones and such leaking in from the farm!! Then you should run.

Site copyright is 2012, so definitely not much goin' on.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, @Baitbusta. Sorry you've had bad experiences with recent Shimanos. I've had splendid success in salt/fresh with Stradics. I've got FI, FJ, FK, and the newest CI4+ HGFK (which is the best of the bunch). The FI reels have had bail issues, but never had any binding problems even with them being dunked in the water -- rinsed after the day fishing.

Wowzers! Awesome catch!

She's a beauty! Nice catch!