Darren.

Personally, since I doubt I'll ever be spooled (and I'm talking Stradic 1000), I always use filler line, usually 10 lb mono. I prefer not to stack the entire reel with braid simply because I want enough (buying 300 yard spools) for a couple more reels. Stuff gets expensive and I try to "stretch" the spool across as many reels as I can.

Ok. I finally bit the bullet and bought the Snip (no LED) on ebay yesterday. 11.99 + free shipping. Heard enough good about them here and other forums. My surgical snips are fantastic, but I have caught my arm on them a couple times - no cuts, just the "point" which reminds me time after time that I need a safer alternative. Have them mounted on my PFD, so the Snip should be much safer alternative.

Yeah. I like jigs, caught some decent (biggest was 3 lbs) bass on them, just a confidence thing. Which is why I'm trying to work on them this year. In fact, if I recall, I think I listed jigs (in another post) as something I want to become more proficient at in 2013. Question is, will I have the patience While I haven't caught a fish yet in 2013, I've thrown jigs into downed trees, etc., to learn to feel the bait better. I actually did have a short strike a couple weeks back, almost took my trailer off.

First off, welcome to the forums, Todd! I'll pick TX over a jig. Success with TX is more than 10 fold over the jig. Though I am fishing jigs a little more this year....

Or, if you're at all like me, use braid as a mainline and tie on a leader that suits whatever you're fishing at the moment....

I use two Stradic 1000FI for bass fishing. Extremely well suited to the task. Have had zero issues bringing in a number of 6 lb bass on these reels. I use them with 10 lb Power Pro + leader. 10 lb PP is equivalent of 2 lb diameter mono, so you get more than enough line. I've never been spooled yet.

Welcome!

Welcome, Ed! Canoe fishermen more than welcome here. Kayaker myself, former canoeist, as well.

Zoom in and you'll see a total of six scupper holes, or 3 sets of 2. Two in the foot section, two at the seat, two in the rear.

That's a HOSS, Dinky. Nice.

In addition to kid scissors, I use surgical scissors from an army survival kit. They work great. Put it on a retractible lanyard along with a pair of forceps.

that's a cool paint job!

Nice hawgs, and snakehead!

Then absoLUTELY go with what you have. If I were on a budget like that, I'd do the same. No reason not to. Save cash, no worries!!

Allow me to differ from the rest. And purely my .02, nothing more. I use 10 lb test on my spinning gear. Power Pro. I followed this road from heavy to lighter test braid thanks to some articles about Gary Yamamoto's spinning gear. I'd say the max *needed* is 20 lb test. GY uses 15lb max according to the article. Think about it. That's a LOT of poundage, and most braids that I know of will break above their rated strength. I'm not discounting the other suggestions. Just relaying what I've found for ME. If you feel more confident with a higher pound braid, then by all means, go for it. 10 pound test is amazingly strong. I always use a leader, anything from 6-15 lb test, and I've pulled in huge, water-soaked logs off the bottom of 10-15' at my reservoirs. It is strong stuff. Used it as backing plus a 10lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid leader to haul in my PB in thick grass. Held fine. All I'm saying is that you don't *necessarily* need higher pound test to fish for bass. Again, if it makes you more confident to do so, then by all means, do it! On my main baitcaster, I use 20lb test braid with up to a 15lb test leader. Plenty for my needs.

Aww man, no pix posted?!!

Great setup. If I only take out two rods, I'll lay the one I'm not using in front of me. Eliminates the catching issue...

Only one way that I know of: Image source: http://realart.blogspot.com/2010/08/star-trek-spectre-of-gun-from-wikipedia.html

Following!

Good stuff, Top.

Jim, unfortunately I observed with my eyes more so than my hands + eyes. I do believe these are upgraded models, nicely outfitted for a day on the water if that's what you want. By that I mean buying a yak pre-rigged for fishing. My first one was that way, my Native wasn't, which allowed me to outfit it as I wanted, not as a company thought I wanted. If that makes sense. They are redesigned from the models I originally looked at, and there's not a lot in the way of reviews out there. The thinness issue was where guys complained that any dents in shipping were still present and didn't come out easily. Weighs 52 lbs as-is. So certainly seems to have more plastic than before. Are you planning on having this item shipped to you, or buying at a "local" BPS?

Nice! Looks like a lot of fun. Many happy catches from her deck.

Got my spool of 12lb on Saturday. Haven't had a chance to spool it up yet. Thanks for the review.

Will do, Fish. Prayers offered.

You'll be fine with the Lightning. A lot of us here started out with Ugly Stiks, and other "lower-end" rods and caught fish. You have a limited budget, so stick to it. A lot of us have a habit of feature creep when talking to guys on budget, and that's not a problem per se, just what happens. A $40 dollar rod is fine, but if you only spend $20 more .... and next thing you know you're up to $100 and way over budget. And all of it is guys trying to help you. Within your budget, there are a number of rods to choose from. Some aren't easily found without shipping, and that may or may not meet your budget. So if you're wanting to buy local and the Lightning is there, get it. The Shock is the elder brother to the Lightning. Is nice, geared for braided line, etc., but most rods (even the Lightning) can handle braid these days. Your reel is perfectly fine for drop shotting as well. If and when you can afford to upgrade to finer gear, then do so. Don't fret now. You'll still catch fish. You can even use your Ugly Stik, but as others have said, it is heavy (unless it is the Lite version) and not particularly sensitive. Works for some stuff just fine, though.