Marty

I keep the original hooks as long as they can be sharpened to a good point. Some lures that always get hooks replaced are Jitterbugs and the original Rat-L Traps. I've used various brands of replacement hooks which have been satisfactory. At the present time I'm using Gamakatsu round bends because they're the best of the selection that my local store offers.

If you're the type who likes to experiment with lures, then by all means try it as a topwater. There's no reason why this shouldn't catch fish when the fish are willing to hit topwater.

I always used my garden variety ultralight setup which was a 5'6" UL rod with 4# mono. If I were to buy another UL rod it would probably be longer, but as Von said, every fish feels like a monster. I don't encounter white bass much anymore and I miss them.

I use spinning gear and use cheap or unwanted line as backing. I use enough backing such that there's room for 50-60 yards of the actual line I'm fishing with.

I always use a trailer hook (single, not treble) on my buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. While the majority of the fish are on the main hook, there are enough on the trailer hook only that I won't use these baits without one.

I've never had a problem with inexpensive rods. I have no particular brand loyalty or preference. If I found a rod that had the characteristics that I was looking for, I just bought it without regard to brand.

I've also had line stored for years that was just fine. Of course, like yours, it was not exposed to the elements.

Since I don't place extremely high importance on color, I'm more likely to switch lures and/or location. I just don't stick with the same lure in another color, although that's strictly personal preference based on my opinions.

This type of lure lends itself to a variety of retrieves and there's probably not a wrong way to fish them. Burn them, slow them down, jig them, lift and drop and anything else your imagination comes up with.

Great pics Chris!!

Colors don't need to look like anything and it's been shown that lures don't have to be imitative in order to succeed. It's been pounded into our heads that a precise color is needed to match various conditions. That's how they get anglers to buy 15 of a lure that they need only one or two of.

What makes you think that there is a right color? I think you'd be better served by thinking less about the color and more about location and presentation. Good luck.

Can't really help, but I'd bet that any of the biologists at your local DNR office would be more than happy to answer your questions.

I tried some 15#XP on a spinning reel and it was terrible. It kept digging into itself and it seemed every other cast stopped in midair because it was caught on itself. Maybe it'd do fine on another type of reel.

Terrific pictures!!

I know next to nothing about kayaks, but if I were you I'd get some general questions answered before getting into specifics. For example, decide what length of boat you want and what style, sit-in or sit-on-top, before getting into specific brands and models.

This is what the Cabela's Buyers Guide says: "Vermilion is an excellent tint for increased depth perception in low light. Vermilion increases contrasts of objects against blue and green backgrounds." To see what they say about other colors, go to any sunglasses item on their site and click "Buyer's Guide."

This site claims to provide a link to every known shop in NC that has a website. I don't know how many, if any, offer online shopping. http://www.fishingworks.com/tackle-shops/north%20carolina/

I use corn exclusively and based on my experience I would think it's more likely that you haven't been fishing where the carp are as opposed to a refusal to take the corn. But another bait I've often seen used successfully is cereal, such as Wheaties or Bran Flakes. Take a handful, immerse and squeeze out the extra water until it's the consistency you want. There are also lots of doughball recipes. Just Google those two words or carp bait recipes and you'll get plenty of hits.

I agree with size 1. They're generally rated at 20# strength and that's always been more than enough for me.

I use duolock snaps in whatever brand I can find. I just make sure that the end of the wire is bent enough to ensure that it actually locks.

Try it!! Countless fish have been caught as a result of anglers getting creative.

Certainly Pradco with their many brands of hard baits plus the Yum soft plastics. Plus Rapala, Mann's and probably others.

I'm really not qualified to give boat buying advice. However, the one thing in your post that stood out was that you'd buy a used fiberglass if you don't get the new Tracker. How badly do you want fiberglass? If you bought the new Tracker would you be always second-guessing yourself for not getting a fiberglass? If the answer is yes, then you've answered your own question. Good luck whatever you do.

Never heard of them. Is this the one? http://www.abelreels.com/