Darren.

I cannot unsee this pic. Someone give me a spoon to gouge out my eyes and frontal lobe - or wherever our brains store images. Please. Help me.

I was a die-hard GS fan back in the Chris Mullin days. Then I was a die-hard Kobe fan. I'm with GS again, but Lebron is a specimen of excellence that is rare. I want GS, but if Lebron pulls it off, congrats.

Take your rod in to a local shop (BPS, Cabelas, etc.) and ask to put each reel on it you are interested in. Despite quality of all the above reels, you may feel one is a better fit in your hands than another. My experience was this. I was set on a Pflueger, but ended up going with a Stradic. The Pflueger is a great reel, but it just didn't feel right in my hands. So asking us what is best is subjective as best. Brands to consider: Okuma, Pflueger, Diawa, Quantum, Shimano, etc. FWIW. What I think is best, may not be best for you.

Welcome aboard!

LOL. Yeah, I know the saying well. Told it to a buddy tonight, in fact. He and I got skunked while my youngest son pulled in 3 bluegill and a baby bass. So ... yes, fish didn't bite well tonight. Except for my son. Bluebird skies, NE wind, but a 98% full moon should have at least been better for me and my buddy.

Welcome aboard!

Nice Mike! One of my sons and his buddies slayed croaker yesterday and today. Some very good saltwater fishing. Freshwater? Not so much. My youngest did score 3 bluegill and a tiny bass today. Registered my first skunk of the year today

Welcome aboard! For $160, I'd say a Cumara is a decent deal.

First: Welcome aboard! As far as the rods, no can help. No Dobyns experience. Reels, I'm a big fan of the Stradic line. Bought two FJs last year, probably won't upgrade again for a couple more. But by that time, I'll likely go with the FK (better pricing prior to new model release). Concerning braid. You don't *NEED* to go with anything over 15#. I am perfectly comfortable with 10# PP and a leader from 6-15# depending on what I'm fishing in. I'm currently using 15# PP SuperSlick 8 on a bunch of reels because I got a great deal on a 1500 yard spool. Otherwise, every spinning reel would have 10# on it. Fluoro is fine at 6 or 8#.

Welcome aboard, Derek! Take your pick. I've never owned a Pflueger, but do have a Daiwa, which is a very smooth, solid reel. If you are able to take your rod to a local store with both the reels you are interested in, ask to put each on and gauge the balance and feel of each. I think you'll be able to pick the winner once you've paired them up with the intended rod.

That doesn't sound right. My SS8 is as smooth as a baby's bottom going through my guides. Especially compared to regular PP. That's really strange. Assuming your guides are AOK...

Nothing from me, either, just a welcome aboard, Ed!

Odd. I really like it. I got a great deal last summer on a 1500 yard spool of 15# test and now have it on a number of my spinning reels. Have regular PP in 10# on at least one spinning reel, and 20# regular on my bait caster. I thought I'd not like SS8, but have been pleasantly surprised by it to the point where I'd likely buy it over regular next time. I'm wondering if you got an old, or bad spool. I think you can email PowerPro and explain the problem. From memory, I believe they will send you a new spool, or something.

Almost kissin' cousins! Except for the color...the weight...but everything else is good!

Usually when I use shrink wrap I use a plain old lighter, works well Have repaired a lot of phone charging cables thusly.

That was a great tutorial! Thanks for sharing. I have watched a number of his vids over time, never saw that one, then again, I don't normally use tungsten for TX rigging...but will remember this trick for the future.

Welcome aboard, Tyler!

Welcome aboard, Tim! Good luck on your quest. Lots of folks on BR in that area. I'm sure someone will chime in soon.

Wow. Nice fish. Confusion aside

Welcome aboard!

Just placed an order with Siebert for some tungsten drop shot weights! Great deal.

For me, I can use either/or. But I prefer cork. Doesn't really matter if split or full. Something about the feel of cork that I like. Again, if the rod is right and doesn't have cork, it is not a deal breaker.

Welcome aboard!

Seeing how this is a duplicate, you should ask the moderators to delete it...

No doubt a great kayak, but you really should mention you are sponsored by Wilderness Systems.