J Francho

Glad you got a ballpark on that fish. I was thinking mi 40s as well. It's gotta be pushing mid teens in weight. Amen to that! I have a little spot that churns out 8-12 lb. northerns near my house...it's a blast, and only kayak accessible.

Most of the big smallies I see are coughing up alewife, white bass, perch, or craws. Then again, I'm fishing for them a little deeper than the "goby zone."

OK, dumb question time...can you stand one footed in that boat? I'm not sure what you plan is going to work the way you want it too. Usually, we would use proplulsion to get to and from spots, and then use traditional methods for boat control while fishing - drag chain, anchor, leash and brush clip, skulling paddle, etc.

All things equal, probably no difference.

This thing is FAT! http://www.syracuse.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2016/09/angler_lands_freaky_fat_8-pound_smallmouth_bass_in_st_lawrence_river.html#incart_river_home

We must not fish the same lakes, everything up here is a slop fest!

I might try calling them before sending off blindly.

You want to ask yourself what problem are you solving by using a leader. For me, it can be as simple as fishing snaggy cover, and wanting to be able to break off without disturbing the spot. I'll use a leader that has a breaking point of around 12#. It could also be that I want some abrasion resistance, so I'll use actual fluoro leader material, which is very tough. Sometimes, I don't need a leader at all, like when fishing jigs in weeds. It's a great solution, buy if it's not broke, don't fix it just because everyone says to do it. BTW, I don't care what knot you use, practice tying it, and check it for strength. I can't tie an FG knot that holds, so I stick to my time tested Alberto. For very light lines, I'll even use a triple surgeon's knot.

These are my go to baits as well.

Spinning reels generally take up more line per turn than a baitcaster. That said, I throw buzzbaits on a casting rig, and the reel I use is a relatively slow reel, around 24 IPT. A buzzbait runs just sub surface, with only the blade breaking the surface.

I use the same rods that I use on shore, in a bass boat, or in a kayak. In fact, I was using a 8' swimbait rod last night.

It's line twist. Let the line out, troll it in the water, or in the lawn, and reel it back up.

I think Berkley or something. They're just a cheap gadget found in the miscellaneous aisle.

Line counters are nice to have. I still say grab the 3000 model, if you need the capacity. I always use a mono backer instead of those foam things anyway.

Pretty easy. Not getting bit with bright yellow braid. Try a leader, and start getting bit. Switch back, lose the bite. It's pretty rare, but I've seen it. Most of the time it doesn't matter.

30# Power Pro is .011, as is 8# Trilene XL. I always use Trilene as a benchmark for line size, since its one of the more ubiquitous lines in use by average fishermen, away from the internet. If you follow the instructions on the box, they recommend using those little foam stick on things in the base of the spool, to keep the line from slipping. I'm gonna wager a guess that those stick on foam pieces take up the 40 yard difference. The only way to really tell is to use a line counter tool when you spool up. I see your case for the amount mattering. I don't fish salt, but one of my reels serves double duty for salmon and trout, most are well over ten pounds, some kings can run up to 40 pounds, and they can make some pretty long runs. I have three Stradics - two are 2500, and one is the higher capacity 3000. The only difference in the 3000 is a deeper spool. I use this reel for trout and salmon. I'd recommend that reel to you, based what you've relayed here.

I like them too. They're good variation on the senko theme.

I use it like any other senko. I don't generally associate "flash" with the shape of a soft plastic. They get their flash deom the flakes in the plastic.

Yeah, lighter weight. Like 1/4 oz, maybe less. You could try different approach, like a 3/32 wacky jig and flick shake worm.

I go lighter in places like that.

Exactly what A-Jay posted... One in action on a smaller pike, a little over 8 IIRC

I consider wind or breeze before I consider sunny or shade. Though I do try to avoid fishing with my back to the sun, so my bait doesn't cast a shadow before it gets there.

In most waters, it doesn't really matter much at all.

Since Shimano owns Power Pro, I bet they are using that as a reference for diameter size.

I'll let you in on a secret wacky bait: wacky rig a realistic looking craw with a nail weight in it's tail. Heh.....