Darren.

Welcome aboard, fellow Virginian!

Welcome aboard! My Lexa had some issues with the thumb bar engaging during a cast. It messed up the anti- reverse pawl a little bit causing noise. I was able to straighten it out and that took care of the noise. You do have the option of sending it in to DVT, he repairs reels and has a great reputation here. He's also a site sponsor, his link is on the right with the other sponsors.

Welcome aboard, Bill!

My experience with the Extremes are in-store, not on water, but from in-store comparisons the CL are not only lighter, but they transmitted little taps to the tip top a bit more crisply than the Extreme. Obviously not a field test, but there was a notable difference. I also had one of my sons help me by gently ticking the top sections of the graphite on each with his finger nail. And with eyes closed, again, the CL felt crisper. So hey, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm with you, Mike. I so enjoy live worm fishing under a float. My youngest son was getting bored fishing for bass the other week, so I convinced him it wasn't just about bass, but anything that bites. So he used the worms and slayed the sunfish. He ended up catching a 3 pound bass that day, too, but on a soft plastic... I've got a number of long poles (no reels) for this very purpose. Really puts fun in fishing.

Welcome aboard, Michael! I don't have experience with BPS reels, but I'm a big fan of their Carbonlite rods. I've got both the previous black versions as well as the current white. Both are quality rods with the white feeling maaaybe a tad crisper.

Are you using plenty of lubrication (spit) when you tighten the knot? That is often the critical piece as no lube=high friction=heat=weakness.

Good suggestions above. If St. Croix is your rod choice, I recommend ML. Carbonlites, M. You can often find Carbonlites on sale at BPS, and Shimano Stradics on auction site for a very good price... As far as sizes, my favorite for bass fishing is a 1000 size. Keeps overall rig weight down, and can handle serious bass. If you are not into Shimano, there are great reels from Diawa (Lexa), Pflueger, and others.

Yes you can, but it is not the best idea, as it will slip quite easily. So best to either put several yards of backing (cheap mono), or yes, electrical tape. I've spooled straight braid on a few of my Stradics, but usually use backing.

Wow, drop shot weights are a great price there! Gonna have to order some up. To the OP, welcome to the forums! I've bought tungsten on sale at various shops, but I'll probably buy from Siebert for my next batch. I didn't know he sold individual weights.

First, welcome to the forums! Second, @Bluebasser86 is spot on. Here's an article you will want to read about an FLW pro who only uses spinning gear and does a lot of frog fishing... http://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

All above are great suggestions. You definitely want to go to a demo day at a local dealer, or even just ask if a local shop has demos for you to try. Or, if those options aren't available, just get some sit-in time (if you can) at the store. This is how I settled on my kayak since I wasn't able to demo it on the water. Loved it ever since. There are also kayak-specific forums on the web that could also be of great help. Here's a link to a thread you may or may not have already seen regarding this topic: http://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/topic/476421-need-advice-on-buying-a-kayak-for-a-big-man/ Yaks with high weight capacity plus ability to stand and fish (quick search): Jackson Big Rig - 450lbs Hobie Pro Angler - 500lbs Wilderness Systems ATAK & Ride - 550lbs Wilderness Systems Commander - 475lbs Native Watercraft Slayer 12 - 450lbs Native Watercraft Ultimate FX 15 - 450lbs Ocean Kayak Big Rig - 550-600lbs Feel Free Lure 13.5 - 500lbs NuCanoe Frontier - 650lbs

Nice bass, Mike!

Welcome, Dane! Wacky jigs are good for getting down deeper, faster. I use them mostly in windy conditions, or if the water is high, otherwise I usually use Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap hooks and I tie my own weed guards. As for VMC, be careful with wire weed guards, as they can be stiff - at least on their weightless hooks....

You could also check out Dick's Sporting Goods and their Daiwa Samurai combos. They're decent and I believe, on sale now for Father's Day. Will be well under $50.

Well then, belated welcome aboard, Mike!

Welcome aboard! Beautiful reel!

Well done! And so the addiction begins...

We all started there when learning to tie leaders. I practiced and practiced until I can now do so (almost) with my eyes closed. And I can tell you my aging eyes have some trouble seeing small hook eyes up close. That said, start with the most basic (IMO) of leader knots, the Uni-to-Uni. There are tons of tutorials and animated examples out there. From there, you can learn to tie others. But I'd start with that one. Practice it a bunch of times on lengths of braid and mono you have laying around. When you are ready, cinch each knot well and with plenty of saliva, then slowly draw them together (I wet the line to lubricate it as I draw them. Then give a good steady pull to test the knot before you cut the tag ends.

Seeing how you're now sponsored by WS shouldn't that be a disclaimer?

Nice PB!

I'm in the minority, but no, I don't think you're missing out if it works best where you fish. I tried cranks, and other hard lures, and will still give them a try. I've had low success on them, and simply prefer to fish soft plastics wacky, or drop shot, etc. Never fished, and not interested in tourneys, or such things. I fish because I love the sport and simply enjoy what I have found works best for me. Might be missing some fish, but I'm catching some they're missing, too.

Lanier, I use braid for my mainline and tie on a leader of various pound test and material as needed, depending on the situation. For one, braid is quite easy to maintain, and with that ease, you can choose from a variety of fluorocarbon, copoly, mono filament lines to fish from in any length you feel comfortable with. There's no set rule. You just want your leader knot to be tied well, and with plenty of lubrication. I use the Uni x2 and the Mod'd Albright. But there are others. Point being, braid gives you manageability while the leader gives you whatever else you are confident with, be it stealth, or abrasion resistance, etc. You can tie a new leader on whenever you need to!

I personally don't like/prefer the hook bent the way it is, but it will probably work. The nano coat is something new, i believe, intro'd by Aaron Martens, I think. Worth a try at the #2 size, since that's the biggest at BPS's site.

Welcome aboard! I don't live out there, but I know it's hot. I'd definitely try night fishing, but I'd also ask locals who fish the lakes you fish to see what works and when. Good luck.