Darren.

Welcome aboard! Here's to a speedy recovery!

If the braid is the mainline, I always use it to tie that knot. Never the leader. Hope I understand you correctly.

Nice pix, tho sideways! That looks like a hefty lady on the bed!

The boys and I took "Mom"/My wife out to see the movie today - her idea - and we enjoyed it. Not the best, but good. Actually thought it slow in a few parts (story development), and the "civil war" thing is still taking me time to digest. The makers certainly put us in a position of choosing sides, but hating every minute of it, seeing the "right" of each side. Not sure I'd give it an A. Rogue One does look good, another "not sure" is "Independence Day: Resurgence". How much more destruction can the world take! LOL

That was the guys from Saltwater Experience: They call it the J-knot, but it is actually what you are describing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nasG2Wy8wD8

Kudos to @mojojojo & anyone who can tie this knot!! Seriously. I mean it sincerely. For me, I've tried several times and been nothing but frustrated each and every time. And tie it while I'm out in my kayak?! No sir. It may be the slimmest, but far from the easiest to tie, esp. with 10# or 15# Power Pro and 6-8# leader line. In fact recently I found that the Uni-to-Uni goes through the micro guides on my Legend Tournament better than even the Alberto! I think the reason is length of the knot. The UniX2 is short while the Alberto is longer. I think that length was causing me to get hung up at the tip top often. No more with the uni-to-uni. My experience and I'm sticking to it

Uni-to-Uni is excellent, as is the Mod'd Albright/Alberto.

It is braid + leader for everything in my book.

Welcome aboard! When I got back in the hunt the articles on this site were immensely helpful to me. I highly recommend you read up on it. As well, the forums were and continue to be the place to find great tips, help, how-to and such. Personally, I would start by finding laydowns and docks. Throw some TX rigged worms in natural colors (watermelon, green pumpkin, junebug, etc.). Fish it slow. When you think you're slow enough, slow down some more. My favorite rig is the wacky rig. I use that more than anything other than the dropshot now-a-days. There are articles on each of these, as well as videos that can get you "re- started". Good luck!

Welcome aboard!

Nice boat. Congrats!

Welcome aboard! A bunch of folks fish over there. I just fish the Peninsula area. I'm sure you'll get a number of responses soon.

They look really good! Do they make a football head mold for wacky jigs? I was considering making some myself. Buckeye makes my fav wacky jig, but they're pricey for a pack of 3. Just curious....

Yes, welcome ... again

My first reaction to your post was "slow down". Not you, but how you fish. Worms, especially. Are others around you catching on the same stuff you are throwing, or something entirely different? Are they using lighter gear than you? Sometimes simply downsizing your presentation is all it takes to get bit. Plenty of the pros go to a light-line presentation when the bite gets tough. I like using it 95% of the time So if you are using, say 20# mono, try dropping way down to 12#, 10#, or even 8#.... http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/light_line.html

I agree with @Fishes in trees, buying a rod or reel is a personal decision. You really want to get hands-on time with each rod you are thinking of buying. My advice is to take your reel in to a local store and ask if you can try it out on the rod in question. Get a feel for the balance, etc. And I'd suggest a MF or MXF tip with what you're throwing. Light TX rigs and such, I assume you will use lighter-wire hooks? Don't want or need too much heft in a rod. But see, that's me. I can't decide for you, only you can.

Braid for the mainline will be so much more manageable and less of a headache than other lines. You really don't need to over do the braid in pound test. I use 10# and 15# Power Pro (and PP Super Slick 8) on my reels and they are *plenty* strong. I will recommend using a leader of various mono or copoly line. By doing so, you will not eat into your braid mainline as often when you retie your lures of choice. So say a 5-8' leader will give you a bunch of reties before you tie on a new leader. The simplest knot to attach your leader will be the Uni-to-Uni. Very easy to learn, and when you cinch it down, give it a steady pull to make sure it is good. I highly recommend this knot.

While I haven't fished lures like that often, my Chronarch 50e handles them fine when I have. FWIW

Patrick, the Avid will be a tad heavier in M power than you might expect, somewhere between M-MH. I bought a MXF Avid and wished I had bought a MLXF. Since then I've actually upgraded to a MLXF Legend Tournament and it's a fantastic rod. I use 10# PP + various leaders on it for drop shot, wacky, and so on. I also thought the Avid to be a bit more tip-heavy which I do not like as much. I can't speak for the other rods you mention. That said, you probably can't go wrong with any of the rods in your selection. If the Megabass rod feels good and balances with your reel of choice, that's probably a solid choice.

Some fatties there, Hootie!

Well done! Beautiful catch!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard! I've had a signature Quantum reel...actually still own it, but it sits unused. I did catch fish with it as it was my first true bait casting setup. But it took a seat on the shelf for Shimano reels...FWIW.

Hands down, my trolling motor setup. Steer with my feet, speed controls at my left hand, can pull motor out of water by pulling release cable and pushing both of my foot braces forward.... Makes my kayak fishing life soo much better.

Welcome aboard! Either choice is probably good. Only have experience with St. Croix, not Dobyns... Good luck there.