Hammer 4

This ^^^^ One thing I might ad is to stay focused when fishing, i.e. watch your line, and or be in contact with it, meaning keeping a finger under the line. All to often I see folks fishing say a dropshot, ect, and they are looking all around, maybe chatting it up with fellow anglers, this is when you are most likely to Miss that bit, or have a bass get gut hooked. Also having the right rod/reel for the technique helps some too.

KVD has been at this game a long time. I'd bet that he's looking way down the road as far as $$$ goes, which ya can't blame the guy, Secondly, he in my opinion is a great spokesman, and Lew's will benefit having him as such.

10 lb fluro sounds good. Do you have a craw/red color crank, either lip less or otherwise.? I've had good luck with those. Keep at it, you will succeed.

And yet, the Poverty rate, at least here in cali, is at an all time high...

Speed, size, color, ect...? Also, I always throw cranks on the lightest line possible. Once you find the correct combo it's game on.

IIRC, I've caught many different kinds of fish on cranks. From crappie, bass, even a 7lb rainbow trout, and some saltwater bay bass. Never caught a bluegill though. Cranks, both lip less and billed will catch fish, you just have to find the fish first..

Any color that has Flash..i.e chrome..

That 9' tree is very likely a great place to hold bass at some point in time..

Medical tech is amazing these days. Still wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

Geez, I haven't thrown a Mepps since 1967. Maybe I'll give em another try.

Agreed. Years ago, you could get away with some error's on the IM 7 and 8 rods, where today the rods are a bit more brittle due to the construction.

I use braid where it's applicable..i.e. frog's, flipping and punching. Most everything else is mono, cept for my finesse spinning which is fluro, and that may change..

I think the majority of rods are over rated for the amount of weight they can cast comfortably..Especially swimbait rods, and yep, this includes Dobyns. Example, I had a 806 champ rod, rated for 2 to 8 ozs, yet it struggled to throw a 6oz hud, ect. Not sure how they test these rods, but it would be nice if they were more accurate.

Could be possible that CA. regs don't apply to Private ponds/lakes. I.e. if you have a pond on your farm, you can pretty much fish as you want, being the size and type of fish in that pond. In that case then your POA has the authority to set the rules, even if they are somewhat ridiculous, or strict..You'd have to contact the DFG for an answer.

Then the next thing to do is..................

Hate to say it, but there are to many variables involved to give a iron clad answer. Spending time with each lure and varying your retrieves is the way most of us old timers learned, way before the interwebs could show you how. Watch some of the youtube stuff, there's a lot to be learned.

I'll ask the obvious questions..Did the buzzbait run true w/o the trailer, and did you have the trailer centered..?

I chose the 7' rod, mh, and a straight shank hook. Out of all the options this would be the best set up for me.

What is this Snow you speak of..?

Not always. I've had bass slam a dropshot, and run like crazy with it. More often than not though, it will be a light tic/thump. You really have to be in tune with your rig, i.e. line and rod..Also, keep in mind that a bass can grab a lure and spit out faster than you can react. When in doubt, set the hook, using a sweeping hook set.

So, hopefully you carry some sort of needle nose pliers in the future.

Kietech makes a bluegill flash. I bought several of these in varying sizes. Have not had a chance to test em out yet, but hey...they look good.

To add what LCG said, some folks feel more comfy skipping docks with a spinning rig. Also a Very long time ago before I bought my first baitcast reel I use to catch 10 lb Bonita on a spinning rig, the same spinning rig I used for bass fishing...

My Son bought one in 2003 or 4..anyway he still has it and use's every now and then. Still works just fine. And it hasn't had any maintenance cept for oiling the spool.

Take your pick, there are a few here.. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/?q=copolymer line