I bought some tickets, glad to help out. I also registered for the tourney.

I haven't had any trouble with the braid so far. I have not had it wrapped around my finger with a fish on however. The lings are so aggressive and I fish close to the bottom so usually it will be on the reel, sometimes by the time I set the hook.

I thought I would put up a pic of my most recent rod build. I built this rod on an Epic fiberglass blank. The Bandit is a 7'9" three piece 10 wt. This rod will stow away for launch/landing safety and since its fiberglass it is much tougher than the graphite rods. The shorter length will help when landing fish as well. I'll be pairing it up with a Lamson ARX. I have been messing around with a 3' - 30lb bite leader, a short 15lb section to be the sacrificial lamb and 30' of T-20 to get the flies down.
I also have been using 30 lb braid instead of running line and backing since it is so much smaller in diameter. The braid cuts down on the lift from current or wind and also helps to get it down faster. I'm still experimenting with the set up so if you guys have some thing that works well for you and are willing to share let me know.

I took the liberty of adding another entry on your spread sheet. Hope you don't mind. I think the entry is relevant since it is recent and it is a multiple incident location.

I am wanting to get into a new kayak soon. I could use a new buddy kayak too, since something bit a hole in my old buddy yak. I have been fishing out of my fish and dive and it works fine, however it is mighty slow. It has more stability than I need and I am willing to trade some stability for more speed and possibly a flat place to stand for flat water. I have been considering the Jackson 'Cuda 14 and I am hoping to try out a Kraken if they come out before I pull the trigger. Hobie has some potential candidates as well. I am not sure how the mirage drive would work without using a stripping basket though. The larger Predator has some comfy looking features as well but I am guessing it will be as slow as the F&D. Long term goal one yak for BTB and one for flat water.
The stability to stand is not a deal breaker for me. Will you guys give me a little insight on what works or doesn't work well for you. I have friends here on the central coast that fly fish just not out of a yak and some that fish SD Bay out of a tube or a 'toon. I will try to demo any potential candidates. I need to narrow down the search however, since I will need to travel a bit to get to the right shop or enough shops to try them all. Thanks for the input. 

Thanks everyone for the compliments.
I broke my Sage 8 wt. twice last year so I am thinking this will be just what I need for flying off the kayak.

I think it would be illegal to put a seal on a leash unless you could get it to sign a consent form regarding possible encounters with GWS's.
 A fellow with a morbid, insensitive, sense of humor might make a comment about how effective a brother in law in a smaller kayak is...but not me, no way!
 On a serious note though I want to thank you all for the support. I want to keep an eye on him and make sure he is ok. Once we are confident there will be no issues he may be willing to share details from his perpsective.
I am not going out on the kayak until I get back home since I do not have a kayak buddy, or even a spare kayak to put a buddy on down here. If I did I would walk the 10' to the saltwater and start paddling for the jetty.
I do have my fly rod and will be hitting the beach. 

My other kayak was a grey Cobra XL. It split along the transition to the flats and the scupper was half way turned inside out. Not including the bite hole.
Still hoping to see you on the water,
Scott