J Francho

Same way we set the hook back before zero stretch line was invented.

I laughed out loud at this. Kids do some pretty dumb stuff, disobey, and can be disrespectful, even the good ones. I just hope mine learn from their mistakes. Letting them screw up might be the hardest part. Controlling them while growing up results in people that can't make good decisions on their own or understand the real consequences of bad decisions.

Three of us. For the OP's issues, I'd take a look at the Alberto knot, and make sure you're tying it right. I generally sue straight 6# fluoro, but one set up has 20# braid to 8# leader. There's no issue passing the knot on the cast.

I think it's the same as it's always been. I grew up hearing other kids ask why when told to do something and being disrespectful. Others like myself followed in line with a yes sir/ma'am. A certain percentage of kids don't get it, and a certain percentage of parents don't get it. I think it just gets more annoying as we get older, and we have less patience for it. Now, get off my lawn you dang kids!

I get that. I couldn't tell if it was something they caught and he held onto, or if he just found a dead fish. I was thinking he caught it and wanted to keep it. In that case, I'd have just taken it from him. If it was a dead fish he found, well, same thing I guess. I probably wouldn't have let him pick it up in the first place.

That's a beast! This is one of my favorite smallmouth pics, taken right after a huge leap by the boat.

I don't completely disagree with that, but jeez, the kid is like two years old. If you ever spent time with ANY two or three year old, you'd be sick a lot. Personally, I wouldn't have done any negotiating, and took the fish and tossed it back, and ignore the meltdown. I draw the line with living creatures. It's the same as pulling a dog's tail, except the fish won't bite him. There are times though, that you have to meet them at their level, and others where that isn't great either. You have to take into account each kid, and their abilities. Having them reason out why something is right or wrong can be a profound lesson. My two boys are completely different, and disciplining them is completely different for each. Somehow my oldest came out fine, despite my best efforts, lol. I can recall a few meltdowns over things like this. At 19, he just bought a house.

I've seen two smallies over 7 at weigh ins. One, a 7-6 wasn't even the biggest fish in the guy's bag! There was also an 8-5 largemouth. Over 7 is my target as well. Once they get over 5, they're incredible animals.

Not in the least. For me, an XF taper is more important with medium and medium light powers. I want to get into the "power section" of rod quicker on the hookset, to drive the hook home. Baits with big hooks like spinnerbaits come to mind. As you creep up in power to MH and heavier, that fastness isn't as important since the rod is that much stiffer. My heaviest rods for punching are actually moderate-fast. This means even the slightest tug and you're fully against all the rod. So, in short, you totally fine with a fast action. Even better if that's what you prefer. You'll be more confident with gear you like, and not worrying about whether it's fast/extra-fast/slow/whatever.

Really useful skill if you are a co-angler on the back deck.

I win.

There's a lot of learning from a kid just watching fish in a tank or livewell. I'm still fascinated by watching fish, and I'm in my late 40s, lol. I had a ton of aquariums when I was younger and worked in the aquarium industry. You want to have some fun, fins a quiet, shallow weedbed, and drag a pile of the weeds ashore. You can pick through it, and find a ton of baby sunnies, catfish, and other species. All you need is a small plastic tank, air pump, and sponge filter to hold and observe the fish for a day or two. Fun fact: even baby bullheads less than an inch still sting like heck.

I have that exact rod, and 2x 63MLXF and 2x 63MLXF. All are spooled with either 6# Tatsu or Invisx. They all have CI4 2500 or 3000 reels. They are to me, the perfect finesse tools.

I guess, if spinning in circles is "fighting."

I miss my DW traps, sometimes. They served me well for 17 years. From 2003, Ohmco Studios. Laying down bed tracks for Russians eponymous second album.

For under $200, pretty good. Like I said before, I'm most often using DI and CHIRP in the kayak. That top and bottom split doesn't look too bad, considering the thing is basically in your lap in a kayak.

I have a Helix 5 and 7. The 7 is easier to read, but the 5 is fine in close quarters on a kayak. Mine both have SI as well, but honestly, I use DI and CHIRP more often.

Ultrex does what you want. Cable steer with spot lock.

It's most likely a 5 on 4.5", but you might just want to measure yourself. Here's how: https://www.pacifictrailers.com/blogs/boat-trailer-tips-advice/how-to-measure-your-trailers-wheel-bolt-circle-lug-or-bolt-pattern

That boat should run mid 70s all day long.

It's odd that a dealer is selling a boat without putting new boots on the trailer. That's the first thing every tire kicker looks at on a used rig. Not sure why you're replacing the rims, but if you are, then there's your spare. Just get a spare hanger that clamps on to the trailer. For tires and rims, any decent, local tire shop will be your best bet. Tractor Supply can be pretty pricey.

So sorry for you to go through this. I really like @Mike L's suggestion. I'm thinking he may simply enjoy watching you catch. Who knows? Main thing is to communicate with him while you can. We're all here for you need to talk or just vent.

I remember a whole article in Bassmaster on Woo, and using that Zebco 808, back in the 90s. They were giant, awkward looking reels. I had a all green 404 on a matching green wrapped, bamboo rod. Later I upgraded to an Ugly Stik and Penn spinning reel, though I kept the Zebco for live bait fishing.

The GC100 is 21.3 IPT. http://www.daiwa.com/us/contents/reels/goldcast/index.html

With many baits, square bills included, contact and deflection, or some other out of the ordinary action is what often draws a bass's attention.