Hammer 4

I don't get too excited about the trip, but when I hook into a nice bass/fish, that's when the excitement meter hits tilt..lol

Just to add to all the above, sometimes you get reels, no matter the make, that come with little oil on the spool bearings. I'd suggest adding a drop of good quality reel oil to them, should make casting a bit easier.

It would be a big help if you said where your at, what type of lake or pond your fishing, and how your fishing.

She is a good looking pup. Good on ya for fostering her.

One thing I do to All my reels, which are 95 % Diawa, is to add a drop of reel oil to the spool bearings. Some reels come from the factory kinda dry. None of my CT's or type R's have any issues.

Stop fishing Laguna lake, it's a waste of time. You have other decent city park lakes/ponds in the O.C., I know cuz I've fished them all. I suggest using 6 or 8 lb mono or fluro, tie on a size 1 Octopus hook, the about 2 feet up from the hook, clamp on a 1/16 oz split shot weight. Then for your bait grab some 4" Roboworms in Hologram shad. Cast it out, then retrieve it slow enough to keep it about 1' or so off the bottom. I've had good success doing this. Good Luck, and don't give up.

Over playing a bass can also cause a lot stress, in some cases can kill the fish.

No experience with either of the rods you mention. But my first thought is why buy another frog rod if those 2 rods work well for you.? Personally, I like a longer frog rod, mine is 7'4", there are others her that use a shorter, and longer rods. So my vote is to keep what you have and have fun.

One of my favorite baits..?

I fished for a good number of years using a spinning rig. As said, there are lures that are better suited to a baitcaster. Do you really need a bc, no, but I think if you keep at it long enough, your likely to buy a baitcaster at some point.

If possible, install a fake security camera, that may be enough to make a thief think twice..

My faves don't necessarily get the most bites, with the exception of my spinnerbaits, but I love throwing them, and those are my Big swimbaits, lunker punker, glide and wake baits, and big worms. Yeah, they are more work, but the big gals like em. And I get a good workout..lol

Welcome aboard Chef. As you will discover, there's a ton of info on here that could possibly make your outings more enjoyable, i.e. catching more and bigger bass. Enjoy your stay.

Years ago my Son and I were fishing a semi local lake with steep drop offs, we were fishing uphill, I tossed a craw type bait out. As I waited, my Son asked me a question, as I answered him, I wasn't paying attention to my bait. Well after about 3 or 4 mins. I gave a slight tug on my rod, only to feel some weight on it, so I set the hook and pulled up a nice 5 1/2 lb LMB. What happened was the bass inhaled the lure, then just sat there. Had I been paying attention to my rod, I might not of felt the strike, as it was so subtle, and lucky for me, the bass didn't decide to spit it out. Then I wondered just how many strikes I had missed in the past.? Tom makes a lot of sense describing the skill set it takes to detect a strike. Since that day, I not only always pay close attention to my rig, I also always keep a finger on my line.

I Never go to stealerships to have any type of work done on my Duramax. I have a great independent shop do all the work that I can't do.

I don't think a 7'3" is to long. I skip with a 7'2" and a 7'4" rods. Granted the shorter rods make it easier, but with some practice the longer rods will work, imho.

I realize that. Just pointing out what power, action and length I find works best. Of those listed, I'd go with the Shimano also.

I throw my 168 on my Irod gen III sb 783, does a great job of casting that weight.

Here in coastal so. Cali, temps have been cooler than normal, which is fine, but these dang high winds everyday are getting Old. Heck, I haven't even broke out the fan yet..lol

Here is a bunch of info. on glasses. https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/search/?q=best tint for fishing glasses&quick=1&type=forums_topic

Throw a jerk bait anytime. Along grass lines. Just not in heavy vegetation where it can get hung up.

Try a 1/2 or 3/4 oz Scrounger head with a fluke or similar type swimbait.

No one fishes Rats/Rodents..?

When I was using fluro, San Diego jam knot was what I always used, the exception being when drop shotting, then it was a Palomar.

I used Yozuri copoly for a few years, I now use sufix elite, which is very managable, although I still use KVD line conditioner on it. I have 8 lb on my spinning rig, and various poundage's on my baitcasters. So yup, I highly recommend it.