Bluebasser86

My oldest was about 6 months the first time he went in the boat, edit courtesy of @buzzed bait His first time meeting a fish. This past year was the first time he'd really fished, he was 2 at that point. I started him with a Zebco Dock Demon rod and 20 size President spinning reel. Now he's 3 and gotten pretty good at reeling, even has several solo catches under his belt and looks like a seasoned vet while posing with his fish. Our trips are always short, when he's done, we're done. I try to make sure they're his idea as much as possible and that wherever we go has a very healthy population of readily catchable fish. I feel like I'm doing something right because barely a day goes by that he doesn't ask if we can go fishing. Going to be time for him to graduate to a little better rod than the one he has.

Found some 50* water in NE KS last week, but we had a cold snap that knocked it down a bit this last week. Fished in water from 43 to 48 Thursday and Friday. We haven't had any ice since early January.

Yeah, I saw that. I have 4 of the new President baitcasters, and they've been awesome. I'd be all over the new Trions for $24.

I use a 70XG for some of my pitching and have been really happy with it. Not a Lews fan so I don't know anything about the other reel to compare though.

If you're using braid, I'd go with the 30. It will hold plenty of line and will be a little lighter and easier to fish with all day.

If you found the new version for $24, I'd go buy any more the had. I have 4 of the new Presidents and they've been awesome.

I mainly use a 4/0 EWG hook by Eagle Claw, but a 3/0 would be better with a 7" worm.

Spinnerbait, jig, suspending jerkabit, maybe a Red Eye Shad.

I haven't tried that one but the gold sexy shad is pretty similar and a very productive bait. There's a couple different versions of bluegill patterns they offer. Not sure which one they've changed.

Pad Crasher Jr for me as well. Wish they'd make a popping version of the Jr as well.

I own quite a few 1/4oz RES and Excalibers. When the fish are really shallow and eating traps they make it a little easier to fish without catching tons of junk. Also a good option when they want the bait ripped and dropped, but wanting a slower fall than I can get with a 1/2oz bait.

Also need to consider the bodies of water you're going to be fishing. Jon boats do not do well in the wind, especially light ones. I've owned several different ones from 10 footers to 16.5. Obviously the bigger ones are better for fishability, but not something you're going to want to carry far and a trailer is pretty much a must. For 2 people, I'd want a 14' boat, but again, not using a trailer is going to be difficult and you're getting pretty heavy to carry very far. I'd seriously consider a 2 man style boat for what you're after. I fished out of one for years and 2 people can easily stand and fish at the same time. They're still pretty heavy, but you can make a cart if you're going to moving it very far.

Always stinks to miss them when you finally get bit on a big swimmer. The picture of you and your daughter is one I'd hang on the wall if I was you.

Welcome!

You'll be fine with most average sized baitcasters for those baits. I'd suggest something with a 6 gear ratio. Line will depend where you fish them. The hard baits are more open water baits but the Big EZ is a popular bait to fish through grass, where you'll want braid. If you're not fishing around grass, something like 15lb Big Game would be fine.

At La Cygne you say

I haven't tried Smackdown but I've had good luck with Kanzen on my spinning rods. It cast great and is very thin. @roadwarrior how does smackdown compare to flipping braid? I really like the flipping braid, I've pulled whole wads of water willows out of the bottom of the lake with 50lb flipping braid.

I'm a big fan of Gliss for trout, I just use a leader of mono for a shock leader. It cast a mile with small lures normally used for trout. I will be trying some Seaguar Finesse Flouro for them this week though, straight flouro. It's worked well for casting grubs for bass, I have high hopes for how it will perform for trout.

Sure you can fish them on spinning gear, but they fish nicely on casting gear as well. I fish mine on a 7' M/F with a 7.1 baitcaster and 20lb braid with no leader.

I've considered it many times but never pulled the trigger. I did pick up some of their braid on sale last fall and it has served me well so far.

I have one, it's a very slow retrieve with that reel. It's currently on my son's Dock Demon until he graduates to something better.

Never fished a Falcon but I really like the Hammer rod that I have.

I wish we were, but there's too many people who would rather work 5 days a week instead of 4.

I got to meet KVD by chance once at Table Rock while my wife and I were there on vacation. Nice enough to talk to me for a few minutes and take a picture with my wife and I as well as sign a hat. Very cool experience.

Casey Ashley's song is my favorite, but this one is pretty good too.