Darren.

I agree with Blue, use it as a leader. This is what I do with all of my setups. Braid makes for a great mainline and you use either fluoro, copoly, or mono as your leader. This way the "expensive" spools you buy will last you a long time. Personally, I will use fluoro, but mostly use copoly - Pline Floroclear and Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Currently I have 4 600 yard spools of YZH which will last me a very long time as leader material.

That was a pretty sweet smallie!

I'll throw my .02 in here. I can do everything I want with either spinning and/or casting rods. One of each, or two spinning, etc. I will take more, but by and large, two rods work for me. As well, like JFrancho, I use the same gear I use from shore, or wherever. That said, count me in among the "shorter" rod fans. I've spent years in my yak and am constantly looking for better ways to store my rods, keep them from getting stuck or bumping into objects when not in use. My favorite is to lay the rods in front of me. Longer rods - which for me are 6'6" - go just over the bow of my yak and at times get whacked in wind when I'm fighting a fish and blown into downed trees and the like. As well, and this is personal pref, shorter rods are easier to skip with as I do tend to fish in a lot of areas where there are overhanging trees, bushes, and such. Shorter is simply easier in those locations. And I even mean shorter than my 6'6" rods. I prefer a 5'9" - 6' for those times.

For me, it's a money saver. By adding backing, I save on how much braid I put on - like leaving enough for another spool, or something like that. That's my usual M.O. but since I bought a 1500 yard spool of PP SS8 over the summer I've spooled my 1000 Stradics with straight braid (or with a tiny piece of tape).

I used a tiny piece, only about ¼ of an inch wide, on one of my reels to have something for braid to spool on. Other reels I have mono backing, or straight braid. But I agree with Josh, too much weight to use a few wraps as backing. At least for me it would be. Obviously it works for you, so why not use what works, eh? It's all good.

I really thought I could avoid this thread. Nope. http://www.notaghost.com/2011/06/bigfoot-hunters-expose-their-own-show.html

Welcome aboard, Dan!

Excellent news! Would love to see it just like MLF, but with a larger field. Guess have to see if that would work. But bout time for the change!!

Yeah, not really a fan of this. Prefer competition, as well.

I'll often not use a net -- but on the smaller fish. I've lost a number of bass right off the yak gunnel within reach of my net, but not my arm. So it's more of a "safety net", pun intended, for the bigger gals.

I'm looking to use it with a Stradic 1000 for my "regular" bass fishing - which is light line soft plastics, etc.

Casting rod, I'm assuming? I almost did a swap for that rather than exchanging for the spinning version.

Package arrives at St. Croix today. They said it'll be about 2 weeks before I get the replacement. I'm already like a kid waiting for Christmas. Can't believe how I feel about this, LOL. It's just a ROD fer cryin' out loud!!

Sweet catches! Was that one fish or two? The sudden video change made me think two...

Wow! Great "end" to your season. Some beautiful, healthy looking bass!

Here, Nomad makes gorgeous nets - if you can call a net thus(?)... But they're a tad on the $$$ side of things.

$12K, huh? Well shucks, outta my league, too.

I've used the mesh nets, and while convenient, yes, they can be a bear to unhook trebles from. Since I lost two of those, I have been using a cheap nylon net with a 3' aluminum body (floats) that you can get for like $10 at Walmart. Works fine, though not my net of choice, frankly. I'd prefer a rubber net, or a rubber coated net. Anyhow, you can find longer and slightly larger fly nets that can be great for yak fishing. Still light and not overly bulky. Then there's the Leverage net. Believe JFrancho uses one. I've handled them in a local kayak shop and they are sweet. Think they're around $75 give or take. Nice nets.

If he adds a Torqueedo, the LiON battery is only about 6 or 7 pounds. Total weight of system around 17lbs. But he'll add another grand or two to the total depending on the Torqueedo package. Personally, I love my hybridized setup. Lots of folks have done it. To each his/her own, eh?

A Torqueedo is a great option, but just consider that they are much noisier (based on reviews I read) and not as stealthy as say a Motorguide or Minn Kota based motor system. And based on your stated height/weight, I think you'd really like the PA. It is one of the wider platforms on the market. I was going to suggest trying a Slayer, but since you have and found it too narrow, that...narrows down your search. The ATAK, the Lure should be looked at, too. I use a Native Ultimate 12' and love the stability, you actually stand "deeper" -- under the water line based on the concave pontoon structure they use. The new models are even more comfortable and stable than previous. However, no scupper holes. Only major drawback in my book. But it makes up for it and is perfect for me and how I fish. Mine is outfitted with a DIY Minn Kota C2 30 adapted to steer via the foot pedals and I've got a control box at my left hand for forward and reverse. In my book, it's the best of all worlds. I keep an emergency paddle for ... 911 times, or if I need to lift the motor and navigate through weeds, sticks. Since money doesn't seem to be an object for you, the PA with a BassYaks kit would give you some tremendous options and a big platform to fish from. Oh, and the one disadvantage of the Mirage system is no reverse. No matter what is said, you simply cannot go backwards without either using a paddle, or reversing the actual pedals. With a pedal drive like Native uses you can do both, and can also quickly lift the system out to negotiate through weeds. Both have advantages and disadvantages. If I were to buy one or the other tomorrow, it'd probably be a PA 12. Just my .02. I have no sponsorships or dogs in this hunt.

Good wallies! 4 years ago the VGDIF stocked 30,000 walleye fingerlings in Harwood's Mill Reservoir for the purpose of bringing in another sport fish to Hampton Roads. Haven't caught any yet, but I know of others who have. Just wish they'd be able to stock smallies down here!!

Welcome aboard, Scott!

I suppose for me it is the convenience of kayak fishing that I love. I also fish electric-only reservoirs, so more conducive to kayak fishing -- though I do have my yak outfitted with a trolling motor at the rear. Jumping around from place to place and getting into areas boaters can't quite reach is a bonus.

10# or 15# PowerPro You really don't need more than 10# (IMHO) unless you are fishing heavy stuff where you need to rip thru vegetation, etc. (Frogs, etc) I only just switched to 15# PowerPro SS8 because I bought a 1500 yard spool for a great deal.

Only hooks I've broken were a BPS split/drop hook size 1, and a size 2 Hayabusa muscle hook. Neither were on a fish. Agree that it just happens sometimes, but I've never had a Gammy or Owner break on me. Gammy are my favs.