Darren.

1. Yes, an Ugly Stik Lite, M action is plenty strong for bass, though not particularly sensitive. It would do fine until you can afford something better. 2. A Shimano Solstace is also fine. I'd get a 2500 size and spool it up with braided line around 10 or 15 lb test. Next, I'd learn to tie a leader on the end of the braid using an Albright knot. 3. Definitely try out some soft plastics. I'd look at bass pro for some Gary Yamamoto Senkos, or Yum Dingers, or Bass Pro Stik-o worms in "natural" colors like watermelon, green pumpkin, black, and so on. Next buy some Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse hooks in size 2, and 1 (in hooks, 2 is smaller than 1 until you move up into the 1/0, 2/0 and so on. Then hooks get bigger as you go up. Tie that hook on your leader or braid with a Palomar knot. Then hook your worm perpendicular to the hook, in the center of the worm. That's the "wacky" rig and it is deadly. Awesome for beginners and seasoned pros alike.

Welcome, Don! Fellow Virginian here!

That's making it all over Facebook! My brother got me...

At least FedEx is stepping up with solid customer service!

Nice. Should serve the cause well!

Go Ike! One of my picks to win.

Some great advice from the guys. I, too, fish straight worms like the Zoom Finesse, but have also found GYCB shad shape worms to be deadly. And I normally fish split on spinning gear, too, but I think your setup with the ML rod will work fine.

Native Ultimate 12 My baby! This pic doesn't have my full setup, I'll have to snap another soon.

I use a duo lock snap, or a Norman speed clip and usually remove the o-ring....

I think you'll really like the choice.

I think the Okuma Helios baitcasting combo and spinning combo are pretty darn sharp looking.

Best was last year, believe the water temp was mid-upper 40s, 5lb bass caught just before I folded for the day. One fish, but it was a good day!

Welcome to the forums, Bruce DOH! Mike! Sorry, man!

First, welcome to the forums! I'd throw soft plastics the whole time, among occasional shallow cranks and jigs. That's me. Wacky rigged stick baits, finesse worms, even lizards have produced during spawn/post-spawn for me big-time.

Indeed.

Awful scenario, but kudos to the fishermen for acting on their gut instincts. Associated Press story: http://news.yahoo.com/fishermen-acting-gut-crash-2-girls-220529931.html

So long as it works, it's good enough.

I like perusing japantackle.com from time to time to see some cool Daiwa and Shimano gear.

Not me, but I snorkeled a pond (formerly gravel pits) when I lived in NY and saw a number of goldfish monsters. Read those articles yesterday, interesting stuff.

Great looking jigs! Did you catch your PB on one of them?

Beast of a bass! Nice catch.

Touché!

I can sympathize. I just bought some needed stuff for the house, but the CFO was reticent to let me do it. If she was reticent on that stuff, how can I justify going to the Spring Classic! She caught me! I'm officially between a rock and a hard place.

But a man's wife can determine if said man will sleep in dog house (or shed) with all his rods! LOL

Have often wondered that myself about UltraSoft given the lack of mention by the makers.