Darren.

Welcome aboard!

Sooo, an Amazon Firestick for $30 doesn't quite count for this site, does it...yeah. Well, in non-Black Friday stuff, I purchased a digi-scale and a fish grip Jr. to attach.

Never used anti-reverse lever myself. Never a back-reeler type of guy. I let the drag do all the work!

And like @everythingthatswims on less expensive rods, I can wholeheartedly recommend Bass Pro's MicroLite spinning rods. I've got a 5'6" L travel rod that is more like a ML power, and now a 6' ML. They are excellent rods for the money. Caught many smallies and perch. Plenty strong yet plenty light to cast lighter lures.

Welcome aboard!

Uni to Uni for leader and Palomar or clinch for terminal end. Don't use a swivel, but will use a snap (no swivel) if using a crank or such, which is not often for me. FWIW, I have no problems with strength of the Unit-to-Uni, it is simple to tie and when tied carefully, tightened with plenty of saliva, it will hold. The other knot that is easy to tie is the Modified Albright/Alberto knot. Look it up online if you are interested. FG is very difficult to tie, and simply isn't worth the effort to use if out on the water. The thinner the braid and leader, the harder (at least in my opinion) to tie. Simply isn't worth my time to tie since the Uni-to-Uni and Albright variants work so well.

Agree with @MassYak85. I use yellow Power Pro and a leader of fluorocarbon or copoly. The yellow makes it super easy to see twitches on the line. With fluoro as the leader, it provides some nice feel transfer to the braid - at least it does in my experience.

Nice, Goose. I think I might just have to pull the trigger and buy a pair of these for cheap. I have wanted another digi-scale to have in addition to my BogaGrip, but I don't want to spend much. This looks like a good option. I'll Probably add a mini lip gripper to it, as well, if I buy. Looks like it's up to $10.49 for one unit now. Still a good deal unless one wants to order from China and wait till the end of December. Found the same thing but 40kg for $6.99...

Welcome aboard, @npl_texas! As for the OP, and while I rarely throw cranks, I like fast ratios. When I did a lot of baitcasting, all I'd use was 7:1.1. Like @Onvacation, I just slow down when using a spinnerbait or crank.

Welcome aboard! I'll just recommend a Medium Xtra Fast (MXF) or Medium Heavy Fast (MHF) rod. I'll leave length to you, suffice it to say, 6'6" is the max I use but I prefer shorter rods anyway. For reels, tis the season for sales. Tatula is a beast according to just about everyone. I think you'd find it to your liking, especially Daiwa's braking ability. Personally, I use Shimano now, but I've used Daiwa and still have one. Great stuff. For Shimano, have a look at a Curado 70. Rods, lots of great brands, but the sale @new2BC4bass suggests, look at @Grantman83's post as the Aetos are great quality rods and a steal at $80. Do you already have spinning gear and are looking for casting?

I usually go lighter wire hooks with mojo, as I tend to use it as a light-line technique. However, I will use it with up to 3/0 hooks in either O'Shaugnessy bend or EWG, whatever I've got around, usually the former. I like to use smaller minnows in the 3" range and Zoom Finesse Worms. For the larger hooks, I go with Zoom Trick worms, 4" senkos, and so on.

Sure

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! Wow, you are a rod/reel addict! I'll second what @A-Jay said and let those who fish a broader variety of techniques chime in on your question. I've been fishing a long time and prefer to keep things simple

Have a look at Craigslist for your area and surrounding areas. As well, Texas has Austin Kayak, which has a great reputation. austinkayak.com Oftentimes kayak shops will have used or demo'd kayaks that they will sell at a steep discount. As well, they often have demo days, or if they are located near a body of water they can take you out to demo a few kayaks then and there. Always best to get some time in a kayak to see how it feels for you.

What is your budget? That'll help us a lot whether we push you toward new or used, or cheaper-made kayaks. Native Watercraft, Wilderness Systems, FeelFree, Hobie, Jackson, Ocean Kayaks, are several names among many brands that offer great kayaks at differing prices. Also, is standing in your yak a priority, or can you live w/o it? That'll also narrow down the field. Me? I use a Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. Stable enough to stand in, light enough to portage, but no scupper holes so maybe not the best for rivers, though some use them. Used they can be found in the $500-800 range. Heavier craft but better in rivers, Wilderness Systems Ride, Native's Slayer, FeelFree Moken and Lure, to name a few.

Agree with others, smooth drag is quite important. I use 1000 size Shimano Stradics for everything.

Thanks for the encouragement!

No idea, but much fewer than last year because life. I.e., sons getting older, travel soccer weekends, travel for mountain bike races...seems to take up more time every year.

Was just answering your original question. As for these: I rarely throw hardbaits these days. Just not as productive. Jigs are in my tackle box, throw occasionally. Spinners not often. No drift sock; yes Stick-It Anchor Pin 7', and rarely use an anchor anymore other than the pin. Trolling motor keeps me on spot usually. Have a cheap depth finder - if I had money, I'd get something with down scan to give me better image of contour. I bank fish sometimes, otherwise I yak it. Lakes/reservoirs. Primary is bass, but I'll take anything that bites.

Hawaii bass!! Awesome!

St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye MLXF Spinning Shimano Stradic 1000 FI or FK, take yer pick, they're both awesome.

Welcome aboard, Jack!