Darren.

Welcome aboard, Joel! (Good name, 4th son's named Joel )

Welcome aboard!

You need to do a video of tying 8# leader to braid via FG!

Another great analysis, Brian! What size leader are you using with the 14# braid and FG? While it may be a great knot, I prefer using two appendages to tie mine

Regarding first cast catch. Had one on Thursday. Very next cast, right into a tree, LOL. And to be honest, I did think of the "bad omen" thing. Fortunately I was able to catch several more fish that outing

This is what I typically do, even when I'm in my kayak I'll do similar casting as far as I can and running line through my fingers slowly so as not to get burned.

Not superstitious, just a little stitious. (Michael Scott) Just kidding. I'm not such a person who has to wear the same underwear during the entire football season after my team wins.

Welcome aboard @mtneer99!

Use what you feel comfortable with. I'm 5'7" give or take and I prefer short rods with 5'9"-6' the sweet spot for me. Just my preference. One of my sons has a 7' rod and it's fine, just not my cup of tea.

A great outing and a new bass fisherman! Well done!

2 piece rods are definitely a thing, especially for those who are limited on transportation (i.e., no truck or SUV) and have to shorten a 6'6" or plus rod to fit. I personally prefer 1 piece, so I get where your frustration is at....

Welcome aboard, Dave!

Appears problem solved! I was going to recommend a much cheaper alternative... Foam blocks and straps!. Thank God for Step-Fathers, tho

I'm a big fan of M power Carbonlites. My casting rigs are MH and ML, spinning are both medium. I love the action (though not my fav rods in general) and highly recommend them. Have only handled v2.0 in store. They feel just as good as prev. Assume they fish as well, too.

Another fine job, Brian. Great tutorial. Thank you!

Used to use it in the 90s when I was playing tennis. Pretty good stuff then. Assume it is the same formula, but haven't used it since then. Lasted for hours on end. Not sure that helps but FWIW.

Patent that for fishermen and you'll be a billionaire!

Welcome aboard!

Dinks = NOT A SKUNK day !!! So therefore, I welcome our Dink Overloards, as long as I have a day with a catch.

Very good stuff, @Glenn! Thanks for the tips! See you've got an elbow brace on...fisherman's elbow?

Exactly what I was gonna suggest. And welcome to the forums, Jackson!

Welcome aboard! As a kayak angler, make sure your life vest is #1, especially river fishing . The Susq can be choppy (used to drive by it coming down rte 15 from NY to VA back in the day). I used to dream about fishing it, too, LOL, never got the chance, but I did get to wade in it a tad. Good luck with your quest!

Can't help you with big swimbaits as I don't use them, but seeing this is your first post, welcome to the forums!

Ok, I thought I read they were the "same". Oh well.

Welcome aboard! Some great advice above, on trying different lures. I'd suggest a Ned rig to your arsenal, but you are getting fed up with finesse, so maybe a change up is in order. An old adage: during tough times "slow down" your approach. That is, when frustration sets in, we can tend to get the bait out of the water faster and try again and again and again. Hence "slow down". Can be difficult when frustrated, no doubt.