Darren.

Gold flakes do add contrast. When I target baitfish like sunnies (and their ilk), I look at the colors in the fish and can see where bait makers get the idea of adding gold. The gold, as I've watched worms sink, reflect golden light as they drop. It seems to me that this would mimic some of the flashiness of baitfish in the area (as would silver, pearl, etc). I have had a lot of success with Yamamoto Senkos #323 in 4" or 5". Also fish Zoom Finesse worms in same color. Seem to out-produce others. This is what Gary Yamamoto uses as well (can't link to web site per site rules): "Color 323 (Watermelon w/Black & Gold Flake) - Gary says this is a color he first made some years ago for Lake Mead, Nevada and he's held onto this 323 color as his own secret for a while now. Having several years of success under his belt with the 323, it is a confidence color for Gary."

Always something to learn here, eh?! When I fish "natural", I normally don't include silver that much, other than as a sparkle inside a worm... That's why I like watermelon magic, green pumpkin magic, and watermelon gold flake soft plastics. (I know you were talking hard plastics)... But the answers got me thinking that I need to break out my pearl BPS Stik-Os for another try...

Awesome! But how much did she weigh?

Nice to have you aboard, Dave. Is a great place to learn to be a better bass fisherman.

Congrats! Welcome to fatherhood :-) You'll love it! Oh, and your dog will treat the child like its own, someone to protect, hopefully! We have had Labs and they've been phenomenal with all our kids.

Lots of awesome trolling motor mounts for kayaks out there. I made mine similar to a BassYaks mount as I had all the material already. Do you have any pix you can share?

Welcome aboard Fulton!

That's pretty sweet, Wayne. So DI, to your question Unknownwaters, DI is worth a $100 diff (the 570 to DI 570), and if I could see what Wayne posted for that $100, I'd spend it in a nanosecond ... If my wife would let me...

Fantastic! Nice catch.

I've mixed some JJs with some other attractant I've got, but didn't put it in a plastic bottle. JJs would eat right through it. And hey, if you can catch bass while kids are throwing rocks, you're a master!

There are plenty to choose from. I like the weather-related apps, each of which allow you to take pix and chronicle your catches. Fish Cal (iTunes link) Fishing Deluxe (iTunes link) ScoutLook Fish Log (iTunes link) Of those, I use the first two more often. And by "more often" I mean only to check the best fishing times. I fell out of the logging my catches thing a while back. If you can keep it up, it is a great tool.

There ya go! See! Dick's has some pretty great deals on clearance when you can find 'em!! Congrats!

I was dripping with sarcasm. My wife is pretty much the same way. All my gear should last forever. And I should never NEED new worms of that color when those other colors I already have should work just fine. But she does complete me. And is my much better half without whom I'd be lost. And I'd spend us out of house and home if she didn't keep the bait monkey in check.

Sounds like the "need" is there. Broken tip = must replace. I'm sure your wife will understand like mine does....

Google Earth + Remote Pond + Lunker = good times.

Hard to go wrong with the Croix, but I know folks who have the Berkley Lightning (had one once, too) and love them big time. Personally, Mojos are tip-heavy to me. Have a buddy who picked up a St. Croix Premiere 6'6" ML at Dick's for around $60 on clearance. If you can compare side-by-side once and for all, eyes closed and feel them in your hand. Then pick the best one.

Hi, and welcome John!

Agreed with saving up. Those easy-mount finders will do the job, though. If money is not a major object, consider a low-end side or down scan finder. That's what I'd do. I have a "cheap" Garmin that finds structure, but I'd much prefer a higher quality finder... Yes, they'll be harder to install depending on the type of kayak you have. I made a mount for my Native that slides in to the track, has an aluminum arm that folds over into the water with my transducer mounted to it. See pix...

Here's a post I made a while back on the snell:

Do you mean the snell knot? If so, I snell all my worm hooks except weed-guarded hooks which use the shank for wire wrapping.... Use with fluoro, braid, mono, copoly, doesn't matter. Phenomenal for worm hooks.

No. And when it gets the nick name "Squatch" ... please. Those shows are a joke, always looking, never EVER finding ANYTHING. Keep us watching, keep the advertising dollars flowing. Economics 101. But I did know someone who claimed to have seen Ogopogo. Seriously.

Welcome to the site, Bob!

Welcome aboard.

Yup, just trust your reflexes. If you're using spinning gear, when you feel that bite, reel down while lowering the rod tip and sweep it (up, to the side, whatever is automatic) and it'll set the hook.

In that case, yeah, most any baitcaster would do. You could look at any of the Daiwa, Shimano models in your price range and do pretty darn well.