J Francho

I've been on the Pad Crasher bus for a few years now. Love them. For jigs, you want to get some premium, wire tied jigs from Siebert. They aren't real expensive, and the skirts last forever.

A little more detail here: https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/reel-review.html

Nice rig!

You can use fluoro for spinnerbaits. I don't though. You have to be very precise with knots and casting technique with fluoro. Spinnerbaits aren't the most aerodynamic lures, and in a slight cross wind tend to helicopter. As good as I am casting, I don't want to muff a pricey spool because I wasn't paying attention to how I cast. I also like to retie a lot, and typically use an improved clinch, so I want that to work as well. I use a less expensive and more forgiving line, my go to is CXX, but I've been testing Rippin' Mono, and that's pretty good stuff too.

I use 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20 lb. I use KVD L&L. I don't have any issues with the stuff.

But seriously, these do the trick:

I liked it better when you were Darth Vader.

Does this get your blood pumping?

Why would I recommend a line like that, let alone use it?

Three fishing kayaks and a 22' bass boat. I use the kayaks more than anything.

@Paul Roberts uses a kick boat. I think he even has a graph rigged up on it.

Top Raiders are a staple northern bait for me. I've been throwing those for as long I was able to cast. I agree the prop tail is the innovation. It has a different sound, though can't be tuned, like a Top Raider.

No way the patent expired - if there even is one. I can't find it, just a trade mark for the name, and they last 17-19 years. I can't see them patenting a bait he shows you how to make in a TV episode. It's probably a licensed royalty deal. I bet the baits are made in the same factory. Typically, they packaged elsewhere, with materials from another factory. Just source out different packaging. This only speculation on my part.

Why do you assume that BPS is solely responsible? Did it occur to you that R2S may have been part of this agreement? Why aren't you mad at them too?

Resolve this with plugs that fit before investigating further.

I consider a pond environment like a "spot" on a larger lake. Part of my strategy with fishing small ponds from shore is to have a milk run of sorts. Meaning I'll plan to hit more than one, and at different times of day. I'll even throw in some shore spots on bigger waters as well. Timing is key, and it's not really easy to predict.

There are lakes up here that have EU milfoil with zebra mussels growing on the foliage. The extra diameter is just abrasion insurance. Even then, it's a frustrating time.

Moss Green CXX in 12 or 15# size.

Zebra mussels.

Here's a good discussion from a few years ago:

I centerpin for big salmonoids. There is no drag, no gears, no anti-reverse. Just a large arbor spool on a pair of bearings. I'm often faced with using very light line. I'm talking 4-6# line for 8-12# fish. Sometimes larger - my biggest brown is 22#, caught on a 4# leader. With back reeling you can change the pressure applied to the fish. It helps when the odds are stacked against you. It's also a satisfying way to play the fish quickly on light line. I just never got confident doing it with a spinning reel for bass. I don't feel the odds are so much in the bass's favor with all the great tackle we have these days. It's not really old, or worse, or better. Just different. If you're on a hot bite while fishing for fun, I say try it. BTW, the godfather of the drop shot, and one of favorite writers, Rich Zaleski, is a back reeler.

Sounds like you gotta do some research, ask around about who owns it, before you can even think about fishing it.

You might want to visit the owners, tell them your story, and reconfirm that it's okay to fish their property.

I use the same rods I'd use on shore, or in the front of the boat, back of the boat, or in a kayak. It would be ideal if you could find someone to show you how to set up and use a baitcaster in person. It takes some practice, but most get it pretty quickly. Here's a good starting point: https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/cast-adjust-baitcast.html A 7' medium heavy/fast rod will cover 75% of common baits and techniques.

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/bass_fishing.html