ClackerBuzz

I prefer fast action for treble hooks b/c it allows you to snap the hooks free of weeds which can generate some great bites (especially with lipless cranks). a moderate action loads up and gets kinda soggy and drags the lure off the weeds. moderate action is def better if ur deep cranking in open water. just be aware not to horse a fish to much with the fast tip. let the drag and rod do the work, not ur biceps. that is pretty much a great all around utility rod and you won't be disappointed. will work for so many things: topwater, lighter jigs, worms, spinnerbaits etc etc. after using it enough you'll settle in on a technique you like best

looks like a dragon slayer to me!

7.5" in black slays bass just about anywhere. i prefer it over a 5" senko in pressured water or w/ spooky fish b/c it has a lighter splash down, larger profile and slower rate of fall.

it really comes down to goals. it seems like u were a slow fisherman. you had a goal to become a fast fisherman (possibly to compete in the Collegiate?). now ur goal is to become an all around versatile angler, fast and slow. knowing when to speed up and when slow down is a valuable trait whether ur in tournaments or fun fishing. i only fish for fun, and for hawgs, but i'm quick to go from a 10" worm to a 3" grub. it's serving me well

there are two important factors in my weightless soft plastics. 1-plop/splash entry 2-rate of fall. if i def wanted to catch fish, dinks included, i'd use a zoom finesse worm. any color as long as its black. it doesn't matter how hard you cast, it will still splash down gently like a tasty worm snack that just fell out of a tree. and the rate of fall is very slow. good factors for pressured fish. you will catch TONS of dinks with it. after you get bored taking the dinks off ur hook take the next step up to a super fluke. it's rate of fall is great and erratic. 5" senkos and 7" ribbon tails are in this league too. ironically the rate of fall is slower and splash is softer with the 7" ribbon. and it's bulky profile attracts bigger fish. a 2/0 hook works for any of these; color: start with black and experiment from there. the 10" ole monster separates the dinks from hawgs. not so good on pressured water (except at night; or spring/fall). it actually isn't that big--thin 5" worm with 5" of ribbon. long dead sticks with slow drags can be deadly.

Prozac?

no need to kill fish, lose lures or buy special tools. just ur index finger: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12981-how-do-i-remove-a-hook-a-bass-has-swallowed/page-2

wow i fish a ton of pond/lakes in ur area. snj is an amazing watershed area. its much easier for me to cross the bridge and fish nj than to battle traffic west bound to pa water. alcyon lake, franklinville, blackwood, grenlock, and tons of no-name ponds. they are all very small and have a bowl like effect so the 'deep' water is very easy to find. usually not much cover but they always have weed beds. shoot me a pm and i'll cover some tactics via phone. (it's really too much to type lol). or i'd be happy to meet up with you sometime and show you how I read/approach a small lake.

holy snot rocket! nice fish. what lure, location, water depth?

some great advice. at the end of the day you need to become a better student of fluoro AND knots. this means picking a knot and any reputable fluoro and sitting down in front of the tv and tying, retying, trying that knot 100+ times. test every knot to break strength. take note if ur line is breaking at the knot or 8 inches above it (anywhere above the knot is good news b/c ur line is breaking BEFORE ur knot). hold it up to the light to see if you see any line burn on ur main line. this builds practice and experience. both will build confidence. don't be that guy that waits till he's on the water to practice knots.

no need for pliers in the gills or to even cut the line. just slide ur index finger thru the gill opposite the hook eye and pull toward yourself. i only use a pliers to go in the mouth and grab the bottom J bend of the hook if the barb is in his gut good. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12981-how-do-i-remove-a-hook-a-bass-has-swallowed/page-2

the palomar knot is more 'unforgiving with fluoro. make sure you pull ur tag end thru so it get's 'burned' as opposed to ur main line. i go one step further and don't intiatally cinch the knot against the hook eye. instead i stick my index finger in the hoop and cinch down on my finger first...pull it all snug and then finish by pulling the wet tag end thru. the san diego jam knot is much easier for beginner fluoro line users

i'll never forget the first time i used the gill method. it's amazing how many anglers don't know it. i try to pass it on as well

like goose I have 2 Radisson, 12' and 14'. i absolutely love them. they have oar locks so you can use it as a row boat. I don't have stabilizers and I have no problem standing up all day. although i wouldn't try it with ur son in the canoe. i do stand up with an experienced canoe buddy. we take turns. like he said they are for still/open water only. no white water rafting down shallow streams. got mine off CL for under $250 each. also they weight less than 60lbs so they are light as a feather to car top.

i have to admit these are my favorite posts b/c its all greek+no profile info. you know i googled 'squam'! welcome to the site dropshot'. there are guys from NH here and maybe some can help (if that's the squam ur talking about). good luck on ur trip!

sounds like you have a solid plan. i'd only add a small non-vibrating/bladed reaction lure ie 1/8oz white grub. shallow water can mean spooky fish. a weightless 4" zoom finesse worm pretty much will catch anything shallow too (only problem is getting too many dinks but you have a nice assortment of lures if the bite is good)

ncie job. no joke, i was born on Friday the 13th so it's a lucky number for me. just goes to show its all about ur perception

i'm gonna go with a pinch for a pinch. it will end 95% of bully situations and its an easy concept for children to understand. not a fan of turn the other cheek b/c the bully just ends up bigger, strong and taunting ur kid plus 5 more. not a fan of upgrading a pinch to a punch b/c kids don't have the judgement skills as to when to match, raise the ante, hold or fold etc. if ur kids pinches back then the bully lays off. and moving forward ur son know's how to stand up for other kids the bully might be picking on as well. or maybe teach him a Hacksaw Jim Duggan clothesline?

bass fishing in private ponds is a blast. no need to drop a bunch of money on hard lures w/ treble hooks. they snag very easily and there is no way to retrieve them from shore (unless you like to snorkel:). you can cast a shiny bottle cap w/ a hook at those fish will likely take it. $2 spinnerbaits will get the job done just as well and they don't snag near as easily. jigs are great too (both have a single stout hook facing upward). cheap 5" worms will be a crowd pleaser. when i'm pond fishing i fit everything in an old school fanny pack. check the hunting section for $12 camo ones. spinnerbaits are a fast/reaction/vibration lure and you'll do well this fall. jigs can be dead sticked, or add slow 12" drags keeping bottom contact, or light 6" hops. sometimes they just like you to steadily swim it back. very versatile lure. 5" worms just have a beautiful slow rate of fall that the fish just love. rigged wacky or texas. texas is better from shore b/c they don't snag. good luck!

i like hi viz yellow PP w/ a fluoro leader b/c I can easily see the yellow braid run sideways during a side run bite. never had any issues.

we should have a 'best of' section...and i give this thread a vote

all lures work everywhere its just a matter of using them at the right time AND location. try ur wakes at dusk/dawn or while night fishing (all summer). the window for opportunity is much larger in spring and fall so go crazy. you're much more likely to benefit from a 1pm wake bite in fall. i'm quick to set something down a lure that isn't producing. i used to start fast with noise/blades/vibration. if they weren't biting i'd switch to slow/silent and finally dead stick/senko's/jigs etc. now i start with slow and soft b/c it lands bigger fish consistently. let me know if ya wanna hit the water sometime!

you have no idea what ur missing out on. i know a guy who is die hard "mono is just fine". i quietly laugh at his constant lost fish. they always mysteriously spit the hook before he can boat them. i tried to tell him he never had them hooked in the first place but you know how that goes. i agree mono is fine if you like trying hook set a jig 60 ft away with a rubber band. on a more serious note mono is better for cranking

I bought these but do not like them b/c they are basically a wetsuit w/o the water inside to insulate. they make ur hands sweat and provide zero insulation. http://www.basspro.com/Glacier-Glove-Alaska-River-Windproof-Flip-Mitt/product/84937/ i do however love the fold over mitten concept for tying line and holding the line to detect soft winter bites. so i bought a pair of 100% wool ones from Kmart for $5. infact i bought several pairs. and i just swap out when they get too wet. they are bulkier to carry multiple pairs. they are not so good on the waterproof side but by FAR the warmest and most function option i've found. by the time i've swapped out 3 pair i'm ready for some hot chocolate and a warm fire. http://www.mproline.com/ragg-wool-fingerless-glovemitt-fold-over-hood.html one time when it was only semi cold i grabbed a pair of the kids stretch gloves. http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Stretch-Gloves-Children-Years/dp/B00025X1LS every store on the plant sells them in winter for very cheap (4 pair @$5). i LOVED them b/c even though they got wet quickly they still held in my body heat and also kept the wind off my hands. (wind is far more of a discomfort to my winter fishing than wetness). they roll up into tiny balls and I can easily carry 5+ pairs on me and exchange when needed. i also use them under my heavy duty ski mittens now b/c they absorb sweat and add an extra layer.

agreed. fishing should be ur escape from all things un-fun. the doctor orders you to immediately report to a fun day of fishing with a BR member.