Darren.

Oh man, Brian. So sorry. Been there when I took son #2 for a spin - him on his "bike" and me on inline skates. Son went one way, me and my left knee when another.... No surgery, no tears, just bruises and soreness for months. Wish you the quickest recovery

Hmmm...for the rest of my life. Don't ask @A-Jay. Might actually be the drop shot. Or wacky. Either. Or both. I can't pick both, can I?

Kayak? Mountains? Bass? Check! I'm not posting anything because your pix say it all

Fought plenty of bass in 20mph winds from a kayak. Nothing so big, but enough! It's a tough but rewarding thing, eh?

Wow! Congrats!! A little tough to view, need to see a chiropractor now, LOL... Just kidding!

Stunningly beautiful!!

Nothing for me but the sound of nature. Don't like hearing other's music on the water, either, seeing how sound just flows off the water. Pretty rude, IMO. Now if they're wearing earphones, no biggie. Just don't impose your tastes on me while we're both on the water.

Yup, this is all over the forums Under the $150 range, American Legacy.com and look at the Shimano Stradic FK. Darn great reel for their prices. Normally $199, they're offering $139 for the 1000, and 149 for the 2500. A great, no, fantastic deal if you ask me. Hat tip to @blckshirt98 for the info on American Legacy's deal.

Welcome aboard! Give us an idea of what you mean by keeping price in mind. Are you talking a max of $100 for the rod plus another $30 for the line? Personally, I use braid on every setup including casting gear. I like 20#, but you'd be safe with 30 or 40#. I also use a leader on everything... For rods, I like BPS Carbonlites for value and quality at $99.

That's a great deal on the 1000FK. Good find.

Good luck, Luke. I'm sure you'll love the rod. I like MLXF in Croix rods, but the M should do you just fine.

Welcome aboard! I agree with @A-Jay. Have owned an Avid, for me, too tip-heavy, now have a LTWalleye 6'3" MLXF spinning rod, still on the tip-heavy side, but sweet. Don't plan on ever owning another Avid, let alone anything higher, most likely. For my casting I prefer BPS Carbonlites. They are light, sensitive as my former Avid, and at the $100 mark, a great buy. Line, I stick to Power Pro for every single setup on spinning and casting. I use leaders, as well, even when spinnerbaiting. Fluoro or Yo-Zuri for leader are great lines. I've got a ton of YZH but have been testing out use of Gamma Edge fluoro lines in 6, 8, and 10# test for leaders. So far, excellent in durability and sensitivity.

Our lawnmowers tend to run year-round here, so that's not gonna work. Let's see...robins, but they can be seen during winter, too. That leaves - SPRING PEEPERS!!! Music to my ears when driving at night by waters with my windows down.

Well, you've got lots of options, obviously, hence the potential for being overwhelmed. Here are safe bets with a $350 budget: Shimano Stradic FK, or CI4+ (I'm a 1000 size guy) I can attest the Stradic FK is an awesome reel. As far as rods, for ME, I like shorter and super light rods. I like the Carbonlite series from Bass Pro. So that'd put you at the $300 mark with an FK and Carbonlite, then use the $50 for more micro jigs and so on Or opt for a rod that's $50 more...

LOVE IT!!

Welcome aboard! I can second the Shimano Sahara, or even jump up to one of the new Shimano NASCI reels. As for rods with lifetime warranty, they're getting fewer and further between. But for quality (can't speak to Dobyns, never owned one), I can attest to the Bass Pro Carbonlite series - grab a 6'6" M for $99 and you'll have a fantastic combo. Longer warranty can be had with St. Croix, but to step up to lifetime, it'll be more $$. Having said that, obviously the Dobyns Fury would fit the lifetime warranty and cost bill, so that would answer both your rod requirements.

Welcome aboard, Rob!

Come on up to my waters, then. We can rent a Jon boat and slay 'em !!!! I've tried it. Even the tutorial by the Aussie. Not for me. And I'm pretty adept at tying a knot! Or maybe I'm not as adept as others....

Well you're SuperMan then!! Kudos to ya!

Love it, Roger! The KDS, "Knotless Delivery System"!! Of course, it is for those who have no children at home or worry for the cost of braid, I jest, of course. But my bass aint fraid of no knots.

Welcome aboard, Kevin! No experience with any of your gear, but for general use, my MH rods are for jigs and some heavier TX rigs, etc. I use M and ML mostly as I prefer the lighter side of things, for which I'll throw wacky rigs, drop shot, mojo, split shot rigs, finesse spinner baits, etc. Not sure that helps at all. I'm sure others will chime in with better thoughts

I can see your river needs, and yeah, while I call my setup "el cheapo", it really is sufficient. But I'd like the duration of the li-ion battery for some salt water stuff I'd like to do - eventually. Would get me further than my current gig.

Dadgum, Paul! Some sweet bass and a GREAT bluegill! Wish they came in that size in my reservoirs.

Oh man, that sounds great. I'd love a Torqueedo ultralight for my setup, but am stuck in el cheapo land with a DIY 30lb thrust kit and a 26# 35AH battery (better than the 85AH I used to carry)!! You'll have a blast, I've no doubt.

Humble thanks for the kind mention.