Darren.

When I think of "tip heavy" it is the balance of the rod with my reel of choice. If the rod/reel combo, in my hands where I like to hold it, tips toward the ground at the TIP end, then it is tip heavy. If, on the other hand, it balances at the back-end, or the butt of the rod, it is not tip-heavy. That's where the tip is either stable, or tends to rise. Doesn't matter to me when I have a butt-heavy rod/reel combo and my lure makes it "tip-heavy". The combo BEFORE the lure addition is tip-light. So for me it is more comfortable to fish with when the combo is NOT tip-heavy at first. Don't know if that makes sense to you...hope it does.

What I've heard is "bad" is Shimano's use of certain plastic internals (reel support, I think) on new spinning gear. But a friend at our local BPS here told me the Shimano rep said to him that if the plastic ever breaks, Shimano will replace it. They're quite confident in the changes they've made. Personally, my gripe is that the new rods no longer come in shorter sizes I prefer...

I'll take it a step further, 10# PP on your spinning gear. That's what I use and casting distance is fantastic. 10# is plenty strong at 2# diameter, up to 15# and you're at 4# dia. If you feel more comfortable with that size than go 15, but no more than 20, IMHO.

Won't answer the whole question, but for me, it is braid for mainline on my spinning gear - 100%. After that I'll tie on FC or copoly (most of time) for a leader. On spinning gear, braid is virtually flawless. You won't have looping issues as braid has little to no memory. You're choice of leader depending on what you are gunning for means you can buy a spool of FC, a spool of copoly, or even mono and have them last for a long time. On baitcasting gear, I'll go either/or. Braid is great here as well, but a nasty braid birds nest can be costly. So can a nasty FC birds nest. I agree with your 65# comment. I don't use anything higher than 40#, and that on a bait caster. My spinning gear is all 10# PowerPro with up to 15 lb leader and I've caught some hefty ladies on them.

Happy day, sir! Thanks for sharing your experiences and expertise!

Though I'm in Virginia, I'm a life-long Bills fan. My heart is still broken from 4 Super Bowl losses in a row. Hoping current talent and coaches can make something happen - soon.

Welcome! I'm down here in Yorktown, but Richmond has some excellent fisheries nearby, as Sam indicated. From England? Were (are) you into long-pole carp fishing? I know it's pretty big over there.

Was my first thought, as well. Here are a couple starting points: Austin Kayak, and Appomattox River Co, you can also look at Bass Pro, Dick's, Cabelas, or your local sporting goods store. Personally, the best seat I've ever used came with my Native, it's the Native First Class seat. Hobie has a nice seat, as does Jackson Kayaks. But these are pricey and likely won't fit your yak.

Gold flakes do add contrast. When I target baitfish like sunnies (and their ilk), I look at the colors in the fish and can see where bait makers get the idea of adding gold. The gold, as I've watched worms sink, reflect golden light as they drop. It seems to me that this would mimic some of the flashiness of baitfish in the area (as would silver, pearl, etc). I have had a lot of success with Yamamoto Senkos #323 in 4" or 5". Also fish Zoom Finesse worms in same color. Seem to out-produce others. This is what Gary Yamamoto uses as well (can't link to web site per site rules): "Color 323 (Watermelon w/Black & Gold Flake) - Gary says this is a color he first made some years ago for Lake Mead, Nevada and he's held onto this 323 color as his own secret for a while now. Having several years of success under his belt with the 323, it is a confidence color for Gary."

Always something to learn here, eh?! When I fish "natural", I normally don't include silver that much, other than as a sparkle inside a worm... That's why I like watermelon magic, green pumpkin magic, and watermelon gold flake soft plastics. (I know you were talking hard plastics)... But the answers got me thinking that I need to break out my pearl BPS Stik-Os for another try...

Awesome! But how much did she weigh?

Nice to have you aboard, Dave. Is a great place to learn to be a better bass fisherman.

Congrats! Welcome to fatherhood :-) You'll love it! Oh, and your dog will treat the child like its own, someone to protect, hopefully! We have had Labs and they've been phenomenal with all our kids.

Lots of awesome trolling motor mounts for kayaks out there. I made mine similar to a BassYaks mount as I had all the material already. Do you have any pix you can share?

Welcome aboard Fulton!

That's pretty sweet, Wayne. So DI, to your question Unknownwaters, DI is worth a $100 diff (the 570 to DI 570), and if I could see what Wayne posted for that $100, I'd spend it in a nanosecond ... If my wife would let me...

Fantastic! Nice catch.

I've mixed some JJs with some other attractant I've got, but didn't put it in a plastic bottle. JJs would eat right through it. And hey, if you can catch bass while kids are throwing rocks, you're a master!

There are plenty to choose from. I like the weather-related apps, each of which allow you to take pix and chronicle your catches. Fish Cal (iTunes link) Fishing Deluxe (iTunes link) ScoutLook Fish Log (iTunes link) Of those, I use the first two more often. And by "more often" I mean only to check the best fishing times. I fell out of the logging my catches thing a while back. If you can keep it up, it is a great tool.

There ya go! See! Dick's has some pretty great deals on clearance when you can find 'em!! Congrats!

I was dripping with sarcasm. My wife is pretty much the same way. All my gear should last forever. And I should never NEED new worms of that color when those other colors I already have should work just fine. But she does complete me. And is my much better half without whom I'd be lost. And I'd spend us out of house and home if she didn't keep the bait monkey in check.

Sounds like the "need" is there. Broken tip = must replace. I'm sure your wife will understand like mine does....

Google Earth + Remote Pond + Lunker = good times.

Hard to go wrong with the Croix, but I know folks who have the Berkley Lightning (had one once, too) and love them big time. Personally, Mojos are tip-heavy to me. Have a buddy who picked up a St. Croix Premiere 6'6" ML at Dick's for around $60 on clearance. If you can compare side-by-side once and for all, eyes closed and feel them in your hand. Then pick the best one.

Hi, and welcome John!