Marty

I've always used the short shanks, but I'm not sure why. I see nothing wrong with the long shanks if they don't hang up more and they don't get tangled with each other.

Nothing scientific here, but they will take all colors. However, I always thought I detected a special affinity for chartreuse.

To tune a crankbait, bend (not twist) the line tie slightly to the opposite direction that the bait is running. Continue to make slight adjustments until it's running straight. For replacement hooks, I've always used the round bend style, but other anglers like other styles. I currently use Gamakatsu, but have also used VMC, Eagle Claw and Owner. I replace hooks with the same size, others like to go up a size.

Read the instructions, they should include information on how to fill the spool. Some reels should have the supply spool on a flat surface such that the line comes off counterclockwise, while others recommend the spool be held in an up-and-down position like a baitcaster.

Pike readily take any lure that exists. If I had to choose one, it would probably be a spinnerbait, but by a small margin.

If you're not already doing so, I'd use at least a 4/0 extra wide gap. Also make sure your rod has enough backbone for this type of fishing.

I'm not familiar with the counter strikes. But in addition the specific tips you've received, my best advice is to keep 'em wet!! Same here.

There are two Speed Worms, the paddle tail and Ultra-Vibe.

The bass around here regularly hit topwaters, including buzzbaits, under blue skies as well as low light conditions. Have you been using other topwaters that are catching fish? If that's the case, I'd find it strange that they'd ignore buzzbaits. Whatever the problem might be, I doubt that it's a matter of brand name. Are you catching fish on subsurface lures in the same places at the same times that you can't catch anything on buzzbaits? I think you should look at all these variables and try to narrow down some possible explanations.

I wouldn't draw conclusions based on one outing. It's much more likely that you weren't using it in the vicinity of willing fish. I've used the Mann's Baby 1- and the Heddon Swim'n Image (this one goes down to 18") and they're both extremely effective lures.

Whether I've used mono or braid I've always used enough backing such that 50-60 yards of actual line to fish with is used.

Smallie Beavers were just there when I looked.

There are countless brands of good crankbaits. Get yourself a couple of lures from a well-known company. Make sure the running depth is the depth you want to fish and two colors should serve you well, one muted, such as shad or bluegill and a bright, such as firetiger.

I would use 4/0 ewg for the 5" and 3/0 for the 4".

For me, a lot would depend on my degree of confidence that there are bass in that particular location. If confidence was high, I'd try another horizontal bait and a soft plastic or two. If confidence was low, I'd tend to move, but that's just me, I'm impatient.

You didn't mention the lure size. I've been using #6 on the 3/8 oz. and #4 on the 5/8.

I use all lures with braid, and don't bother with leaders.

Follow the advice already given about adding split rings and replacing the stock hooks--they're absolute junk. This couldn't be further from the truth in my personal fishing although I can't make a generalization. I use a Jitterbug a disproportionate amount of the time and my retrieves are almost always steady, at what I'd describe as medium speed. Jitterbugs have accounted for my biggest fish this year and many high-quality fish. For what it's worth, I use 5/8 oz. and can't see a productivity difference between the regular and jointed. I don't fish at night, but my Jitterbugs produce from bluebird afternoons through dusk.

Good luck with the new boat. I don't know a lot about kayaks, but I haven't seen one that was as open as yours. I thought all 'yaks were more enclosed. But regardless, I know about the advantages because my canoe has similar advantages and I've had some great outings in it.

I don't think it much matters what line you tie to the spool. If you ever hook into some monster that takes out all the line, that sucker's gonna pop regardless of the knot.

I can't really give you any tips on patterns. I was at Honeoye three times, but that was all in May and have been to Canandaigua three times in the last week, fishing exclusively in the shallow slop. But it's hard for anyone to generalize, since "Finger Lakes" covers 11 different lakes with different characteristics. Honeoye, for example is a small and shallow lake with a maximum depth of about 30', while Seneca is large and has a maximum depth of about 600'.

I've always thought that pickerel fight better and stronger than largemouth.

Fireline is a fused line, not a braid. I used 14# on spinning for about three years and had no complaints other than lack of casting distance; the line just didn't seem to flow off the spool smoothly. I tried 15# Power Pro and that casts much better than the Fireline did. I never used a leader with either line, but that's not a recommendation, just one of my personal habits.

I'm sure they'll catch bass, but I'd use the CD7 orCD9. The 7 would probably be my choice for bass up north, maybe the 9 for southern locations where bigger bass abound. But neither would be a bad choice here in NY.

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