Crankin4Bass

I think the current trends seems to be that if you are just starting out with a bait caster and you are a righty, it probably makes sense to go with LH retrieve. It's more efficient. A lot of us older guys started out when only RH retrieve bait casters were available, so that feels normal to us. Although it felt very weird at first, I am slowly moving over to LH retrieve. I do still like RH for moving lures. At the end of the day, the fish don't know. Go with what feels more comfortable to you.

Nice fish! Congratulations!

Nice selection. What size are the jigs?

For a 10 year old an Ugly Stik Youth Combo is another good option. It's $40 and has a 2 piece 5'6" medium rod. It's lighter and has a thinner split grip which is good for smaller hands. You can use the leftover $20 to buy some hooks and plastic worms. https://www.purefishing.com/products/gx2-spinning-youth-combo-1292385?variant=34572589629573 https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ugly-Stik-GX2-Youth-Spinning-Reel-and-Fishing-Rod-Combo/33588651

I tried that once while crossing a reservoir and caught one pretty quickly, but I missed all the chuck and wind. ? It's so much easier with a pedal kayak.

If you are going with the crossfire, I would suggest the 2500. The 2500 is a safe and versatile choice. It's actually one of Daiwa's shallow spool models, so the 2500 only holds 110 yards of 8lb mono, which is plenty. That's also less line than the comparable Shimano 2500 Sienna which holds 140 yards of 8lb mono. https://daiwa.us/collections/spin-reels/products/crossfire-lt If you can spend a little more, the Revros gets good reviews. Also a shallow spool. https://daiwa.us/collections/spin-reels/products/revros-lt As suggested above, either straight 8lb mono or 15lb braid with a leader will work.

I do the same with a 1/4 oz Kastmaster on a ML baitcaster with 8 lb flouro. It's so much fun.

My advice is do not read the "Fishing Rods, Reels, Line and Knots" section here. It will cause you to spend a lot of money. ?

I've had the same thing happen where someone was flying a drone above me fishing. It's super annoying.

I also use Texas Tackle but I have the chrome "Executive" model. I don't know which one is better haven't tried the regular model. I just ordered mine online after seeing so many good reviews of Texas Tackle. They are easy to use.

That looks really good. Are your plastics on the top shelf still in bags in open Plano boxes with no dividers?

I posted this before but we still need truck companies to bring this back.

This. Make sure they are JDM too.

There has been increased demand for kayaks in the last 12 months. Now there is a plastics shortage that was caused by the power outages in Texas, which led to chemical plant shutdowns. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/february-texas-freeze-triggered-global-plastics-shortage-11615995141

These Frogg Toggs Pilot II Breathable Stocking Foot Waders are on sale at Kittery Trading Post for $100. I haven't used them, but a lot ot people like Frogg Toggs. https://www.kitterytradingpost.com/fishing-marine/waders-shoes/chest-hip-waders/frogg-toggs-mens-pilot-ii-breathable-stockingfoot-chest-wader-100568735.html Here's a sizing chart from https://www.froggtoggs.com/sizing-chart

Nice! Sounds like they did a great job packing it. Did you order it direct from their website?

Keitech suggests that or the 3" Swing impact in the videos at the bottom of this page. https://www.keitechusa.com/catalog/guard-spin-tungsten-jigs.html I have also used a 2" curly tail grub with that jig.

Congratulations on 25 years!

Bummer. That was just the same video they posted on FB. I expected more info.

Shimano just posted a short video on FB: https://fb.watch/4kFwUEtdP3/

Shimano has a youtube premier tomorrow.

Lead jigs are banned where I live so I don't have a choice. I have tried tungsten jigs from Keitech, Eco Pro and Bass Pro Shops. Keitechs are my favorite. There are several models to choose from. Here are two choices. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Tungsten_Casting_Jig_Model_1_Version_2/descpage-KCJM.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Tungsten_Football_Jig_Model_2_Version_2_/descpage-KTFJV2.html None of them were cheap except these BPS ones. I didn't really care for the quality. You get what you pay for. Bass Pro Finesse Tungsten: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-xps-tungsten-finesse-jig

I would get the Daiwa Fuego over those two reels. $85 on Amazon. If you don’t like the Fuego, I would get the Pro Qualifier 2 over the Revo X because it has a dual braking system with both centrifugal and magnetic brakes. Both reels are made by Doyo.

After hearing horror stories, I don't trust checking in a rod tube, so I have a couple multi piece travel rods that fit in the overhead bin. I have a Daiwa Ardito 3 piece 7'M casting rod. Fit and finish is great and comes with a hard tube case you can put in the overhead. Although it's listed as M power, it feels closer to MH and is rated for 1/4-3/4. I'm pretty happy with it and will probably buy the 7'M spinning rod too. https://daiwa.us/collections/travel-packs/products/ardito-tr-travel-rods I also have a Field and Stream Tec-Lite 4 piece 6'6"ML spinning rod I got from Dicks for $60. It comes with a hard tube that fits in my check in suitcase or overhead bin. Although it rated as ML it feels more like a L. I don't recommend this rod for bass as it doesn't have much power to set the hook. I have used it for trout instead, but I'm sure there are better choices. https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/field-stream-tec-lite-spinning-rod-15fnsufstclt56lsprod/15fnsufstclt56lsprod Daiwa has a lot of travel rods you might want to check out. https://daiwa.us/collections/travel-packs I randomly had this in my youtube feed the other day from Daiwa Australia on how to pack rods for travel. Must have be for you @Mr. Aquarium Safe travels.

I like watermelon in the summer and green pumpkin in the fall. ?