J Francho

Fish that hold at great depth. Usually clear, deep water.

Why not just color half the spool of braid with a contrasting colored marker, then use what ever length leader you like, if at all.

That would depend on the state regulations, which certainly trump any tournament rules. Brandon's fish would certainly fall under the NY DEC fishing regs, specifically this one: "A single, uninjured largemouth bass or smallmouth bass that an angler is landing, measuring or in the process of releasing from a recirculating or aerated livewell, is not considered to be part of the daily limit." No debating the word "single." Check your state regs!

There's one thing worse: that guy getting screamed at by everyone.

Just chiming in with WOOD. That's squarebill territory.

I like to start on moving baits - fish hook themselves. If bass aren't biting, then I go to a drop shot rig, but with hooks and baits a blue hill can take. Really, whatever will catch what is biting readily is the ticket.

Deruyter? Give me reports! Love that place. Say hi to Jerry Rice! Welcome aboard.

I do a little pinning.

I believe its the standard inch and a half.

Water from the pee hole is just to tell you its picking up water, it isn't the only place it exits, and a plugged pee hole doesn't mean your motor isn't getting water. It's just a small bypass hose from the main cooling system. Otherwise, water will discharge from the exhaust in the prop and the upper part of the lower unit. There are pmenty of YouTube vids that document this - might even be one for your motor.

For what you're descibing, I prefer braid and leader - generally a much heavier leader than my straight fluoro set ups. There's lots of stuff to avoid fishing shallow, and braid with a stout rod helps me put the screws to the fish if needed.

I've seen them twice as big.

http://legacy.earlham.edu/~lanest/sizescale.jpg

Mud puppies, and they're brown, are what I see a lot of in spring during the spawn.

One of my tape measures is fluorescent orange. You think I can find it?

Around 5 lbs.

I'll add that I do not like spinning gear when drifting a float rig. It's much easier to press the thumb bar, and feather the spool as the rig goes downstream. Float goes down, reel and lift - no flipping the bail and seating line on the roller.

Use your longest crankbait rod and you'll be fine. I still like a casting rig over a pin when I need a rod under 8'. Here is a Sol and AVC70MM handling good size chrome.

Love the border collie on the decal! Fits you perfect.

I don't know why your all hung up on a colloquialism like lizard… yes, it is supposed to look like an amphibian. It's just a name. Horny toads are lizards, not toads, but we all know what someone means. As far as nesting fish just clearing the bed, the article I linked above addresses that exact situation.

Stretches like a rubber band, lol.

Here's my take. I'm with Roger, it's the delivery. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/dropshot-bedding-bass.html

I like my GL2 rod just fine. I paid about $120 for it new, though. I got it during the rod credit program at BPS during the classic a couple years ago.

They should be open after today, if not already.

Took a nice selfie yesterday.