Hammer 4

^^^^ This.

Actually the Diawa Tatula 300 is priced at 269.99 not 279.99. Just a heads up, I know it's only 10 bucks, but that could buy you some nice bait's. ?

Always used mono for the buzzy baits. Not inclined to switch to fluro.

Not all brands of MH/F are the same. Some will have softer tips, action will vary too. Buying online is guess work, unless you happen to have a shop that carries that brand, ect I'd suggest reading as much on here as you re: rods within your price range.

Been using AT KO's for the past 25 years or so. Great mileage, for a aggro tire, they last longer than some other brands, and the new AT KO's have very good traction. Got my last set at the beginning of summer, and they look almost brand new, tread wise.

Love my Irod's. I think you will be very happy with yours. As far as reels, I'd look into the Diawa Tatula 300. I have the Tatula 200 and throw up to 3 oz baits, but for heavier baits, I'd go with the 300.

Pad Crasher for sure, and I have had good results with the Live Target frogs as well.

I'm going to assume that you fish, if so, maybe spend some time on your lake fishing other docks, or cover that might produce good fish other than your dock. If you happen to find a good spot, let your neighbor know about it, hopefully then he will fish there and give you some peace. Kind of a tough spot, as he isn't doing anything wrong, and your within your rights to expect some peace and quiet. Hopefully you can find a resolution soon.

I fish some really stained water, all I use is the willow blade types.

6" Roboworm T rigged.. Color, MM or Morning Dawn.

A drop of 3M oil works great.

I go the other way, I use a ML/F 7'2" spinning rod for Senko's, but very seldom do I fish it in any moderate to heavy cover. For cover I switch over to my 7' MH/F baitcaster.

Just a heads up, TW is out of the most popular test's. Looks like March 21 is the date they will get more.

Have several rods with micro guides, even my swimbait rod has them that I use 20 lb mono on. Casting isn't an issue. Some folks don't like the micro guides that use leaders, as some knots won't pass through the smaller guides real well.

Bass don't stop feeding just cuz the water is cold, they do eat less. Most lures used in warmer water will work in cold water too.

Some years ago, I use to throw cranks, squarebills, and the like in grassy ponds. I'd lose a few and it was never a big deal, back when those lure were cheaper, and yup, I hauled up my share of not grass, ect. And I've been stuck with treble hooks more than once. Nowadays, don't throw those any longer, what I do throw are slow sink glide baits, that have good sized treble hooks. Very seldom do I get snagged with these, and if I do, I can always rip em free. These work great for just fishing them over the tops of grass, ect. On con side, these baits weigh a bit more than cranks, so a heavy rod, and heavier line is needed. These days, I'm targeting the big girls 95% of the time. Do whatever feels comfy to You, the idea for fishing is to have Fun.

Unless those ponds have been shocked, there is no way to tell if there are larger bass in there. I fish a 14 acre pond and in May of last year, the dfg shocked it. I talked to one of the agents, and she said that they counted 8 bass that weighed over 14 lbs. Only 1 bass that I know of caught by a friend was a tad over 12 lbs, and caught at night. Biggest bass I ever caught there was 7 lbs+. So ya never now ..

Have those ponds/lakes been shocked to verify those weights.? Could be some bigger fish in there if they haven't been shocked.

^^^^^ This.

^^^ This. I also will use GP with red flake..

A couple of san V reports here. https://sdfish.com/forums/f/san-diego-freshwater-fishing-reports/

Up till about a year ago, I tied everything with a San Diego jam knot, except for a drop shot. The meds I have to take cause my hands to shake too much these days, so for the last year, I have been using a uni and have not had any issues. Always run the line through the lure or hook twice.

Irod makes some really nice swimbait rods. Check em out on TW. The Genesis III is right in your price range.

That's weird. Over the last 10 yrs. or so, I've left stuff in my wish list for over a month, and never had issues. May have had a glitch which caused yours to disappear.?

I tie direct on my S Waver 168, but on some glide baits, they do come with a snap, in that case, I retain the snap and tie to it.