Darren.

When I fish the summer months down here in VA, I tend to slooooow down presentations... But not all the time, LOL. It can be a crap shoot to find what they want, but when I stick to wacky worms, I will often downsize presentation from a thick worm to something like a Zoom Finesse worm. So if I could suggest, try to slow your soft plastics down....

Congrats, mate! I'm guessing you'll be in the 9 pound range at that length...

Welcome aboard!

Congrats! Former canoer myself, but now I paddle a hybrid kayak - the Native Ultimate. Part yak, part canoe. Best of both worlds, IMO. Maiden voyages are indeed fun. Trolling motor will be good. Had a 50 lb thrust for my canoe, use a 30 for now on my yak, but wish I could afford to put a 40, 45, or 50 on it. Good luck outfitting it for fishing!

For me it is braid as a mainline for both casting and spinning. I add a leader (always) for whatever purposes you need. Just find that braid manages so much better than mono/copoly/fluoro.

Hmmm... Yeaaah.... No. No offense, but, I'm just not feeling it after looking at the site.

I'd have to get my hands on a bunch more rods to really make that decision. Currently, I'm very happy with the sensitivity and lightness of my Carbonlites, though I'd like some shorter lengths. I also have an Avid, very nice build, but in all honesty, I'm not sure it's an order of magnitude more sensitive than the CLs. Tatula rods are nice, and the new ones intro'd at Icast look sweet. Problem is, I want shorter rods but everyone seems to be going longer. C'est la vie. Probably need to go custom some day

BPS Carbonlite 6'6" ML + Chronarch 50e BPS Carbonlite 6'6" M + Stradic 1000 FI Currently.

DOH! Let me take off my "I'm an idiot" hat.

After actually reading your post... No. One little word I missed: "lure" Hadn't had my second cup of joe when I wrote that. Sorry, mate.

That's gonna be a pretty rod. Nice work!

Can't complain about my ML Carbonlite. It's great for light weights paired up with my Chronarch 50e. Happens to be a black model, but the new whites should be quite similar.

I've used a lot for wacky as well. My favorites are the Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse hook from 4-2/0, and the Gam Drop shot/Split shot hooks up to 2/0. Find they've been the "stickiest" of the hooks I've used which include VMC, Owner, Hayabusa, etc.

LOL.,GREAT Gif. Love it.

Agreed with both points. Longer casts, less accuracy. At least based on my experience.

Agree with everything you said, Roger. I simply cannot do jerk baits well while standing in my kayak with longer rods. Even the 6'6" rods are a bit too long for that. One reason I hardly ever fish that technique.

Nothing. <eye twitches uncontrollably> STRADIC.... NO. Nothing.

Sweet. Can't wait till they are somewhere close to me down here in ol' Virginia!

Gamakatsu makes awesome hooks.

First post, and from VA Beach! Welcome aboard!

I tie a snell knot on TX rig hooks. Been doing it for a long time now. Only thing, make sure you do a pull-test of your line against the O of the hook. I ended up tossing all my Daiichi hooks because the circle is closed with an abrasive spot - all of the hooks I tested rubbed and broke the line. So if I use a Daiichi it'll be a Palomar or clinch. Never had this issue with Gamakatsu hooks.

Some days I can't buy a bite with a particular color. I change it out and *bang* fish on, and more fish after that. Can't explain it, but I think color does matter -- sometimes.

1) Senko-style, 4" 2) Zoom Finesse Worms 3) Zoom Trick Worms

I use 20 lb PP on my bait casters. Some dig in, but if you are aware, you can simply develop a habit of pulling out the line after a strong fight with a fish or snag. Not a problem really - at least for me. And I've also used as low as 10 lb test on casting gear.

Nice review!