Darren.

Our SA was never very good, and for a while, was the only game in town until DSG showed up. We frequently shop at DSG and have scored some incredible deals over the years. No Academy here, either. But I've heard great things.

Getting an enjoyable time on the water is all it takes! I started kayaking with a $300 yak from a big box store. This is fine!! And I second @Tracker22. I'm an advocate of wearing a PFD 100% of the time you are on the water. Your life is worth preserving, so do yourself and your future a favor, wear one!

I would have called it a "good" line, though, at least in my experience. It is what it is, LOL...I also like P-Line Floroclear, which many here hate.

Interesting...only gets a "Fair". http://www.tackletour.com/reviewyozurihybrid.html

You can also consider outfitting the NuCanoe or most any other yak with a BassYaks trolling motor kit, or DIY it like I did. http://bassyaks.com/products/kits-available/nucanoe-bassyak-kits/ Your feet control your direction and you have a motor controller on your right or left for speed. The drawback to the Hobie is no reverse unless you take out the fins and install them the opposite direction. For Native pedal drives, you get reverse, but you don't get the massive fishing platform that is the Hobie PA. Both have advantages and disadvantage.

I have also had great experiences with the Hampton, VA BPS customer service. I have exchanged rods, returned rods without issue. The fishing manager that I became friends with is gone, and I'm much less trusting of those there now. However, one of my exchanges happened under the "new" staff and went fine. But every store is different simply because of the humans working there, IMO. So yeah, bad experience for some? Absolutely. My .02 on the rods: I own several Carbonlites and highly recommend them. I never liked the old Mojo rods, but the new blanks are much lighter than previous. That said, if weight is an issue, I think the CL are more tip light than the Mojos, even the new ones. I also have St. Croix, but a Premiere (tip heavy) and a Legend Tournament (awesome). Did have an Avid but felt it was tip-heavy, too.

Awesome, Jeff!

Welcome aboard, Louie!

Welcome aboard!

That's pretty cool, Dave!

Yes, there is great fishing at those lakes. Just make sure to get proper permits to fish the reservoirs. You'll enjoy Lee Hall and Harwood's Mill a lot. Not fished Murray myself, but I know some who have and have caught some nice bass. Good luck, and enjoy! Oh, and welcome aboard!

Happened to me, too. Dadgum scammers probably rope in a few suckers every time. Sad. http://news.ava360.com/how-to-stop-the-robocall-uprising_4fe003a5a.html

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! Gary Yamamoto also fishes braid as mainline plus a long leader of fluorocarbon. I also fish braid mainline and will tie on a copoly leader up to 6 feet in length with pound test from 6-15, but mostly 8 & 10. The braided mainline is best for management on spinning gear (and I use it on casting, too). Since braid is pricey, the leader helps you save mainline. You just cut down and retie on your leader during the day and only cut your braid when you need to tie on a new leader. Just my humble .02.

You are already on the right path with being aware of possible issues. You will be fine unless you are pulling logs out of the water on a tight drag If you do something like that, just pull off some of the braid and rewind it back in. I really have had virtually zero issues with my setup using 20# PowerPro.

Wow! Congrats, @flyfisher!!!

Agreed, probably the top-o-th'-line yak out there. It'd work well for you and your significant other.

I second @flyfisher on his thoughts. Get some time and demo several different kayaks AND brands. No one brand is perfect for every angler, despite what anyone says Outfitting for fishing? Don't look for a "fishing" kayak already rigged, unless you really want one. You'll end up wishing *that* was over *there* and so on. I continue to tinker with where things are best and most efficient for me.

Then that made it a very successful outing! Happened to me last week. My youngest caught all the fish, zilch for me. It was a great time anyway

Welcome aboard! Definitely do some reading in the post from @roadwarrior as this question is asked on a weekly basis. There are many other threads that could also give you more food for though. That said, St. Croix Avid, or new Mojo are solid sticks to start with, as are so many in the $200 range...

Sweet bass!

Having done both, I choose the kayak. I can stand while trolling, but admittedly, it is not as easy due to foot pedal controls, as @buzzed bait mentioned. But I did it last week while out in order to make minor adjustments. Honestly, you can't go wrong either way because a trolling motor adds a new dimension to either boat.

About 20 odd years ago, my elder brother and I were snorkeling in Canandaigua lake, no shirts, no sunscreen (western NY). Later that night, after we discussed our stories, the next day, we each had the most painful night of our lives. Felt like thousands of needles were being poked into our backs for hours. Our wives made us take oatmeal baths, and so on, nothing helped much. So yeah, we all make mistakes like that. My Dad, in the 1940s worked at Lake George as a Soda Jerk and waiter. Got lobster red every summer. It's just what you did. His skin turned leathery in his later years. He's had a lot of skin cancer excised, but he's still kicking at 85! Be careful from here on....

Agree with @Dave A, they look great!