Darren.

I've used nightcrawlers like @papajoe222, as well as wacky rigged (doesn't exactly work well), and on the drop shot as @Burros mentioned. Have to agree that vigilance is critical. I like to use bright yellow braid + leader at all times and it really helps line watching. @Fish Chris has caught unbelievable numbers of bass over 10 pounds on live crawlers. I can't find the thread where he discusses it...and I wish he were back on the forums!!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome to the forums, and welcome back to the sport!

Wow. Lots of love for SS8 I'll actually admit I like it over regular PP these days. Bought a 1500 yard spool of 15# a couple years ago and have been really enjoying it on almost all my spinning reels thus far. Wind knots have been about the same for me as compared to regular. I say don't sweat it. It's good line and I've got a lot to use up over the coming years!

Welcome aboard!

Absolutely agree concerning oars. You don't want a kayak paddle. I can't think of one that is long enough given the width of a jon boat. As well, are you looking for paddling because you cannot use an electric trolling motor where you fish? For around $100 you can get a MinnKota C2 30 trolling motor, and you can find a good deep cycle battery for less than that. Would make dealing with wind a little better. I've done the oar thing with Jon boats and *much* prefer using a trolling motor for the ease. My 2 cents....

3 to 3.5

On a whim the other evening, around 7pm, I decided a buzzbait was what I needed to throw. Have thrown it before and caught nothing, so it has sat in my box for well over a year, unused, at least I think it's been that long. So I threw it on a spinning setup Thursday at 7. Good time, evening. First hit was a hit and miss, but dang it felt good to see a topwater strike. Decided to troll it. Then stopped and as I was reeling it in BANG! 3 pounds exactly on my Boga Grip!! Exhilarating! The moral of the story for me is, buzzbaits are good and buzzbaits will be in my arsenal this year.

I'll go with: Shimano (original cork Compres, spinning) St. Croix (own Legend T, Premier, owned Avid) BPS rods (Carbonlite, MicroLite) I feel if I can stay within the range of $100, I'll be happy. Such good quality there now-a-days. Problem being, I like shorter rods in the 6' range and that automatically limits the brands I can buy.

LOL, indeed. My favorite BigFoot theory is that they are never found because they are inter-dimensional beings that appear and disappear at will. Oooookaaaaay.

Welcome aboard!

I've caught some pickerel near that size in our reservoirs. Oh, and congrats on your first wacky fish! Many more to come And dude. With a handle like @NHBull, you should be thumb lipping those things, not using wussy grips.

Quite a day! Congrats!

Nice! Congrats, mate!

No problemo! I use a Boga Grip (15 pound version) that is super accurate, but it is expensive. I saved up over the years to afford one. Also use a digital scale (which is currently misplaced), but isn't waterproof. I would suggest the EconoScale if you can't afford a better one: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/econoscale-fish-scales?searchTerm=EconoScale+Fish+Scales I have one of these and it is very accurate. I periodically weigh dumbbells with it and it has always been spot on. Reason I suggest this style is that you can use it as a grip much more easily than the plastic plier type. So when you have that bass you're gonna lip grip with thumbs, you would use this instead and have it secured.

Drop shot for bass is a fantastic technique to learn. ML and M rods, 1000-2500 spinning reels, 6-8# test line or leader with braid mainline. Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm!!! My most productive dropshot bait by far. 1-1/0 Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hooks. Hook thru the nose, belly side down. Enjoy. Dropshotting for pannies is fun. I use a ML or L rod, and same reels I use for bass, 1000 size Stradics. 6# leader (or lighter). Light line, braid for mainline, I use a #2 Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot hook with a 1/8-1/4 oz weight. For baits, a tasty little morsel will be panfish assasin style minnows, like image below, and here: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/bass-pro-shops-pro-baby-shad https://www.basspro.com/shop/SearchDisplay?categoryId=&storeId=715838534&catalogId=3074457345616676768&langId=-1&sType=SimpleSearch&resultCatEntryType=2&showResultsPage=true&searchSource=Q&pageView=&beginIndex=0&pageSize=24&searchTerm=panfish+shad#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&facetLimit:&orderBy:&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

Not slidin' personally. Used to use 4" sliders on a drop shot, years back... I'm a primarily light-tackle guy, so M and ML spinning rods, one ML casting rod. 1000 Stradics, 50e Chronarch. Techniques: drop shot, wacky, mojo/light TX, Ned, some finesse jigging, small spinners...off the top of my head.

^^ This! Probably best for the little guy.

It'll be tough to get the big un's. They're big for a good reason Throw a buzzbait early, and late. See if that'll get their attention.

Hey man, I realize there's rain falling on your party, but the bottom line is you caught a monster and you should be proud. You can call it your PB absolutely!! So congrats to that. Honestly. It is unfortunate you'll never know the actual weight but we've ALL been there. My weighed PB is 7.5. But I've caught bigger -- by my best estimation -- though I don't/can't call them my PBs because I never got to get their actual weights as I lost them before I could do so.

Welcome aboard!

I have to agree, unless you weighed it or got it's measurements, it's just a guess. May be a great guess! But still a guess.

Jumpin' Jehoshaphat! That's a chunky brownie!

Agreed. OP, please tell us more! Pix would be nice

I have liked you until now.... Just kidding!!! Congrats on the Final Exam de-stress-bass-haul! Well done!! My day could have been as good, but two very nice bass tail-walked on me and left me with a drop shot and wacky rig all alone. I did catch a 2# though. My other two would have been closer to yours if I could have landed them. Again, well done! You are a master among your peers! (the rest of us)