Darren.

Snake, I agree with the comments to get seat-time in them if you can. That said, "best" kayak is entirely subjective. Many are sponsored, and even those of us that are not -- all have bias. Just look at Shimano vs. Daiwa threads . So I'd suggest you check out YouTube (where a lot of guys are sponsored) and see what their time is like in the boats. In your $3-5K price range: Hobie Pro Anglers (More YouTube vids than you can count) Native Titans (Greg Blanchard vids on YouTube, among others) Old Town Predator PDL, MK Feel Free Dorado, Lure w/ Overdrive Wild. Systems ATAK / Helix systems ETC.... As for a trailer, I'd seriously look at Harbor Freight! I bought a truck bed extender for under $50 while "name brand" sell 'em for $100+ .... There are YouTube videos on using HF trailers for kayak hauling. Below is one there for $350. https://www.harborfreight.com/1195-lbs-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-heavy-duty-folding-trailer-62648.html Edit: Thought I'd throw an addendum, food-for-thought option to consider: Electric motorized kayak. This is how I went, though even to this day I think about what I'd get next. Whether it'd be a "regular" kayak and motorize it or a pedal-style sans motor. When I weigh pros/cons (for me) I keep returning to motorized. Not for everyone, but quite fun. Going this route will free you even more (IMO) from having to pedal with your feet and steer with your hand. I simply use my hand to control fw/rev and my feet steer. BassYaks is one option, or you can DIY it like I did. Caveat: Depending on your state's rules, you will probably need to register it. I did in VA. Not expensive for a motorized kayak. Don't know the $ off top of head, but it's quite doable.

Some good answers. St. Croix's rods, by my experience, I'd say tend to be rated in-between. So a M would be less than another brands' MH, but more than their M. But it all depends on which rod and which power. Personally, my choice between M and MH depends on the weight of the TX rig. I don't like to go beyond the rod rating for the most part. If, for example, I'm throwing an 8" Mann's Jelly worm, I'll have a 1/2+ oz and that'll be on my MH rig. Most other stuff is on a MXF rod.

A ML to M power spinning rod will do all those techniques well, IMO. I fish almost all spinning these days, but I did do an experiment where I went all casting for everything. For "finesse" as defined in your post, my rod of choice was (is) a ML Carbonlite casting rod, 6'6" paired with a Chronarch 50e. Could do just about everything. But I'm not doing that anymore because I came to the conclusion that while I *could* do so, I was more productive with spinning, especially in the skipping, and very light weight lure area. Winds are simply easier to deal with using spinning gear -- though I did do well with casting in windy conditions. Backlashes are inevitable, and can spoil a day. That's something to chew on or ignore, just my .02. As for sizes of spinning reels, I go with 1000 Stradics paired with 10 or 15# Power Pro, and I always roll with a leader, typically 6, 8, or 10#. The "standard" for bass fishing is a 2500 size. Really no need to go bigger unless, perhaps you fish really deep waters. So M or ML rod and a 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, or 3000 reel. Go with the one that tickles your fancy , including wallet.

Welcome back, dude. Glad to hear you're on recovery road. May it be a speedy journey.

Indeed, tank-like weight for a small reel.

Welcome aboard!

Yuck. Sadly, Virginia is one of the country's big landfill states. Problem gonna persist for generations to come, sadly, as PCBs and other toxins leach from these (among other sources) into local waterways. We've got a massive landfill in Hampton that'll probably be the Mt. Trashmore of the Peninsula when it's done.

1000 size Stradics are 6.0:1, FWIW.... Great answers above re: inches per turn, low-high.

Welcome aboard, Bruce!

There are several, all have the Daiwa paddle handle. JM Signature and Platinum Signature are the "high end" models. https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/spinning-reels?cm_sp=FsRlSpnJul2018_GNB#facet:-7000000000000000067669711511532801141113283104111112115&productBeginIndex:0&facetLimit:&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

Just checked some of the spinning reels. Definitely previous year models, not sure which as I haven't investigated deeply. They weigh a bit, esp. in comparison to the LT reels. JM 1500 weighs 9.2oz! 6.0 ratio.

Wise move for BPS, IMHO....

Welcome aboard! Maybe a couple pounds plus. Nice smallie.

Welcome aboard! I'd agree with others on a Medium being most versatile. Length is up to you. I don't fish anything over 6'6", personal preference. And of the brands you list, I've only got experience with St. Croix LTB/W, as I own the 6'3" MLXF (walleye version of LT series). It's no longer that length, thanks to a stupid mistake on my part. But the Tatula rods get a lot of love here.

Welcome aboard! I'm with those guessing in the 5 pound range. Very nice catch, Aiden.

Sorry mate, no ice fishing in my part of the country Apologies. Couldn't resist a good-hearted, cold-weather ribbing. Good luck!

Fan = Fanatic Dang it!! That means I'm mentally ill.

I was using 10# Power Pro yellow for years until I bought (couldn't pass up deal) a 1500 yard spool of 15# PP Super Slick 8.... So I find the 15# at 4# mono diameter is *plenty* for all my 1000s. Can't say I have noticed a *significant* reduction in casting distance. I'd imagine there is certainly some, but it hasn't bothered me too much (that I know of). Does that help/answer your question?

There's some serious jet ski fishing done out of the VA Beach area. A number of years ago, BPS in Hampton, VA featured a sweet ski that was outfitted for fishing. Was an amazing looking vessel. But downside being it's, for the most part, a one-person gig, similar to a kayak....

Indeed. Until Brady retires, that is. Hey, I gotta sneak one in somewhere!

I like Floroclear lines. Have a number of spools, but ended up using my Yo-Zuri Hybrid more (since I have many more spools). 600 yard spools can be found very inexpensively on eBay, fwiw.

For me, the 2000. I had a 2000 Lexa, good reel. As most here know, I'm a 1000 size reel guy. I like the smaller sizes for bass fishing

Sigh... Welp. Josh Allen looked good in the second half today. Pretty stoked about future potential. Hoping the off season shores up the O line and brings in some *quality* WRs. In the mean time, the Patriots.... Do I really need to finish that sentence?

When I bought my first BPS Carbonlight, all comparisons went out the window . So light, floated in my hands. Paired with a preferred 1000 size spinning reel, pure joy. For the most part. Heaviness, tip-light/heavy is in the hand of the holder, I'd suggest. I know people who use (and love) rods that to me feel like I'm holding a stick with a 5 lb weight on the tip, LOL. I hate tip-heavy. My elbows groan and cry out! Often will pick an Ugly Stik up at local BPS just to feel it in the hands. Not sure I'll buy another, but plenty of respect for the brand. My son who fishes a lot of saltwater uses an Inshore Select (old black model) and loves it. Solid rod. My fav these days is my modified 6' ML St. Croix Premier (down to 5'9"). A stock 5'9" Shimano Compre (no longer made), and I've mod'd my Carbonlights from 6'6" down to 6'3" (in the butt end).

Sure! I've used 'em in the past. The Elite models, but I haven't used them in a long while. They are a bit on the heavy side for my liking.