OkobojiEagle

Smart money says take whatever reasonable precautions there are. oe

First... you need to decide if it is appearance or function you are trying to improve. Second... I don't believe you will improve this rod's function with these alterations. Someday when you're wrestling a 9lb bass from a heavy weed bed you will appreciate all of that cork to hang on to. oe

Don't be afraid to bite an inch off the head of that worm when fishing gets a little slow. oe

I'm going to let you in on a secret I've never shared, so don't spread it around... 4" single tail grub in "bluegill" color (translucent grey with blue,gold & black flake) with 1/2 of the tail dipped in yellow dye. Now fish it along the outside weed edge and don't tell anybody what's bringing in all of those bass. oe

Rooster gave you good advice. After you've aquired the spinning rod try to scratch up a bait casting rod/reel with similar characteristics. Your tool box needs both a hammer and a screw driver. oe

Does anyone remember what the mechanical difference was between the Abu UC 4601c3 reel and the regular 4601c3? Does it have a different spool shaft and support bearing??? My memory has abandoned me about this. Thanks. oe

4lb test lines offer too little margin for error in both manufacturing and fishing. oe

Not a kayac, not a canoe... but I offer you the most comfortable fishing platform you will ever experience... Creek Company's ODC 420 or similar model from Outcast! My favorite way to fish small water. oe

Jim... the solo canoe will be more comfortable to sit in once you're there (and you can raise the seat a little to make it more comfortable), but entering and exiting the craft would most likely be easier from a sit-on-top kayak. I wouldn't count on standing in a solo canoe either. My suggestions come from my experience... "your mileage may vary". oe

Charlie Brewer Spider jig heads. 3/0 hooks with 4" grubs, 2/0 hooks with 3" grubs. I slit the grub bellies 1/2 way through to make hook setting easier. oe

Look through the line of baits that the Charlie Brewer Co. has to offer you. oe

I'll counsel you to find a light weight, fast action spinning rod in a length you are most comfortable with and pair it with a smooth 2000 sized spinning reel that has a bearing supported line roller. Balance the rod/reel combo to rest on your index finger with the rod tip at 10:00, and spool with the most sensitive line you've used. In my case that's NanoFil. oe

I prefer braid in the 15lb - 20lb range on my bait casters. oe

I've been fishing totally barbless for quite a few years. I file the barbs off not to weaken the point. A barbless hook will penetrate easier so a firm pull is most often all that is needed to set the hooks. Knowing the bait is barbless keeps me more focused during the fight. Over the years I've found that I lose very few average to larger bass, but will lose some of the dinks. A little weight to set against appears to help keep the bass buttoned. Earlier this summer a dink came unhooked as I had him pretty near the boat. My popper set itself bend deep through the columella (dig out your Funk & Wagnell's) of my nose. A fair amount of blood and my eyes didn't stop watering for a good while, but I thanked my mother for not raising fools and easily backed the treble out. Caught quite a few good smallies that evening... all in all a good night. oe

NoPro... Tell me some more about the water and conditions you were fishing. I fish in windmill alley. The winds blow from North Dakota, south through the Missouri River basin and across the plains of southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa. At 15 mph sustained winds I start to anchor more than use my trolling motor. At 20 mph the lakes are pretty much covered with white caps breaking on 2' swells. Plastics become next to impossible to control and floating top water presentations spend most of their time sub surface in the white caps. At 30 mph winds it will be all I can do to stay in the boat. In those conditions I know of a couple die hard muskie hunters that will troll big plugs, but even in their 20' Rangers they're not having much fun. As I wrote above, when the water gets really choppy I find bass fishing more productive working a shallow running jerkbait or a 1/2 oz spinnerbait. oe

correct oe

First, be certain you address the increased hazards of boating in heavy winds... WEAR YOUR PFD. Nullify as many of the wind related boat control challenges... properly anchor or use drift socks. Now you can concentrate on presenting your bait. (as mentioned above, keeping your rod tip close to the water will alleviate much of your line bow) oe

The weight of the lure is not part of the rod/reel balancing equation. The lure weight is what you are using the balanced rod to feel for. oe

Have some patience... the difference in how you hold a bait casting rod vs. a spinning rod requires a few different hand muscles and will take you a short while to develop a "feel" with the new tackle. oe

My suggestion of the Flat Rap was my subtle way of saying that fishing a foot or two SUBSURFACE in a heavy chop condition is more productive than fishing a floating surface bait. A buzzbait may be an exception to this statement. oe

Propeller baits (baby torpedo), but I prefer the Rapala Flat Rap worked aggressively just under the surface. oe

$50 - $60 if in VERY good condition... maybe oe

Who's giving away secrets, Sam??? oe

Buy an "S" and be done with it! oe

3" & 4" single tail grubs weighted with Brewer spider jig heads. oe