Jim_M

No.

They are clueless.

Bad game for my Pat-riots. Embarrassed really.

Different conditions, different presentations. Buy both, they catch fish.

ditto... I have "several" Presidents. Tremendous value for a 50-60$ reel.

Good. My primary fishing hole's water temp ranges from 75-80 this time of year. Fish are active.

Spooling up a whole reel with leader material is expensive overkill IMO Seriously a short fluoro leader with good braid has been the ticket for me. Not fixing what aint' broke.

The Humminbird Fishin Buddy 120 does the job for me. Self-contained... http://store.humminbird.com/products/271365/120_Fishin%27_Buddy

The BPS Johnny Morris CorbonLite is a great value too imo. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Johnny-Morris-CarbonLite-Series-Spinning-Rods/product/10205013/#description Check your local fishing forums for excellent buys. N. Carolina will have more than a few I'm sure. Guys are ALWAYS selling stuff that "never gets used".

Here is a thread with great book references... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/92844-best-bass-fishing-books/page__hl__%2Bbooks

Been throwing the same spool of 8# Nano for months WITH a short 6# fluoro leader (3 foot) on my DS and Shaky Head set up. Love it and ironically, catching my best bass yet with it. Ignorance is bliss I suppose.

I'm in the 2/3 reel, 1/3 rod camp. You can boat/land great fish with a simple rod for years. That is IF your technique is solid. Wont happen with a bozo reel.

EXACTLY what I thought.

wonder how this works with fluoro.... ...I am still going to try it.

I cast with braid and fish with mono or fluoro leaders. With short leaders (2' or less) I use the Seaguar Knot occasionally. http://www.netknots.com/fishing_knots/seaguar-knot/ More and more the Alberto is becoming a real favorite. Both have been 100%

I suggest switching to a 3/16-1/4 oz weight and all (6-8#) fluoro. Or a 30# braid with a (6-8#) fluoro leader. The stretch and memory of a light mono and heavy weight are IMO, your issue. Get the stretch out.

Is the rod light and sensitive? Use the "off-hand" fingers to hold the line. You will have more contact with the bottom.

Yes. Maintain any of these well and your grand kids will fish with them.

Wave Tiki-Moko Lizard http://www.wavefishing.com/5-Tiki-Moko-Lizard_c_28.html

...not as much as I am.

Just fish.

Minis, a 7' Med Spinning rod with a fast tip coupled with 30# braid and a fluoro leader. 1/2-3/4 oz, a 7'-6" Med/Hvy fast tip casting rod coupled with a 7.1:1 BC and usually 12# mono.

Pick one and fish.

No expert for sure. BUT I abandoned the "swing for the fences", "cross its eyes" hook set this year. I do not have the skill set needed to know when to do that. I am experiencing far more success just keeping slack out of my line. When I get a bite I sweep the rod in the opposing direction with increasing firmness. Not sure that makes sense, but a giant jerk of a hook set usually means I have a ballistic lure coming straight for my head.

Secrets? Just be on the fish and bash them against structure on your retrieve. You will get bit.