Darren.

Welcome aboard, @Ze Miguel!

Welcome aboard, Tim! Plenty of folks here record their fishing endeavors. I'm sure they'll chime in before long.

I was gonna suggest the "float and senko" wacky rigged! Great presentation.

As a Shimano fan, I'd be biting at the bit to get another Stradic FK model. I prefer 1000 size, but a 2500 or 3000 is solid, too. FWIW, the 1000 Stradic has 31 IPT... For Daiwa, I'd shoot for a Ballistic EX. Obviously Pflueger is a good choice, too. Can't go wrong with any, I suppose And I'm shooting at the top end of your range, eh. Ah well, it's what I'd do with $200 to spend on a spinning reel...

Welcome aboard! Have fun with your new boat. Hey, look on the bright side, at least CA's drought is over! Full pools, right?

You have a bevy of options for DS baits including Senkos, Roboworms, minnow-style baits, creature baits and so forth. Generally speaking, I like my DS rigged 16-24" above the weight, but will go up or down depending on how much leader I have left (before changing), if I can "see" where the fish are suspended (if water clarity is superb)... As for time of year, I will fish it year-round. Will likely add to my techniques this season as I hope to fish the prespawn with more success than I've had in the past.

Welcome aboard! Nice name Nobody here gets snagged, though...

You know what, you're right. I take back what I said. They're possibly the worst drop shot baits made. Zeeter, stay away from them!!

I love my Legend Tournament MLXF (it's a 6'3" model that's under the Walleye label). I can attest it is a solid and sensitive rod. No experience with Loomis

Cut 'em off and toss 'em. Dispose of how you see fit, or in accordance with any local regs in your community. Then put some shiny new trebles on there and go catch some chunky hawgs!

Welcome aboard!

Right, on spinning, it isn't as important. However, I actually caught my PB on a baitcaster spooled with 10# braid and a 10# Yo-Zuri Hybrid leader!! So it can be done, just may not be best. My thing with casting and 20# braid is that I'm always aware of the possibility of digging in. Which is why I always pull out line to free up the spool if I've had a snag, or had a long fight with a fish. Has become habit so I don't think twice.

No, I don't use a swivel at all, nor a swivel hook (though I would like to try one sometime). I tie the hook on with a Palomar, or I use a new method I learned here, but don't have the link handy at the moment. As far as braid goes, I personally think it is the way to go on spinning gear. I use it on everything I own. Then I tie on a leader of varying lengths and varying pound test. In terms of matching braid diameter to mono diameter, I am not a believer that is necessary. I use braid based on strength, and diameter for how much I can get on a smaller spool (I use 1000 size Stradics). So 10# Power Pro and 15# Power Pro Super Slick 8 are my braids of choice. 2# mono and 4# mono diameter equivalents. I go 20# on my casting reel, but I've used up to 40 before. I believe Sunline Sniper and Tatsu are pretty limp but strong fluoros that are great on spinning gear. @roadwarrior could tell you more about Tatsu. Edit: I'd probably opt for 6 or 8#(max) fluoro for spinning gear.

The fluoro will be more sensitive to bites than mono. And the line will not help/hurt the presentation of the bait as it will stand out perpendicular to the line. Plus, you will likely be giving it intermittent shakes, which will move the bait. For instance, I like to use a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm for drop shotting. It is full of salt, and "heavy" like most GYCB Senkos and so forth. But it has a tiny tail at the end which gives it irresistible action. I give it gentle action here and there, and boy does it produce for me.

Don't think twice about the CI4+ ... get it! And you could go mono, but I'd recommend fluoro instead. I go braid + leader. The bait for drop shotting can be wherever you want or need to put it at. I like 18-24" and probably fall within that range for the most part, tho I have gone shorter ... and longer.

Ya know, that's correct, color-wise. In terms of light reflection and all that. But if I take a bunch of crayons and scribble over top of each one, it doesn't turn white, it gets darker and darker. At least to my eyes. Then again, the dress was gold to me... I love physics. But I also hate physics.

Have I ... yes. Did I regret it? Uh, yes. Would I do it again? No.

Bienvenue à bord! I have to be honest, I don't speak French, but my 12 year old is taking French in school!

Dude, very nice stuff. There's some real talent on this forum for painting cranks, and such. I'm impressed.

Very nice paint job, Mike!

You want 2 reels for under $50, or 2 reels at $50 or less each? For $50 each (I'm a Shimano guy, but Pflueger is solid and has a fantastic reputation): Shimano Sahara FE Pflueger President

I've picked up rods at the local BPS and DSG, with the former having more damaged rods. Mostly bent guides and so forth. I always thoroughly inspect a rod I'm interested in before I buy it at the store. But yeah, there are definitely people who are less than careful in handling.

Ooh, that's really good, Hootie. Only one suggestion...the colors might could use a change.

That's wonderful news!

Welcome aboard!