RB 77

4.5" straight tail worm on a drop shot rig with 5 lb flouro. Especially in clear water like your fishing.

I use a Shimano 7'11" Crucial XH, Shimano Teramar 8' XH and two Daiwa 8' DX's in XH & H. The Crucial is the most sensitive, the Teramar has the "it" factor and the DX's are the best value.

Any bass reel from a 50 size on up should be just fine. I use a 200 for jigs.

For the value, the Cardiff is the best at that price point.

I don't know why but I love this. "Mean Toad Weight" just sounds so epic to me. Could be right off an Herpetology message board or a "Battletoads" meme. Nope, good old bass resource. Haha. Now we need the data for the "mean, median and mode" of all the toad!

These...

All year.

You should be just fine. I've had no problem casting them with a MF/ F setup with the weightless screw lock hook that was specifically designed or them.

How much of a "difference" its makes? I don't know. What I do know is that for me a straight up bass jig with skirt and craw trailer I always fish painted. A swimbait head for a boot tail, almost always unpainted. When a bait is sitting or being presented very slowly I want the paint because the fish can get a good look at it and "I" think it helps. When the bait is moving quickly like a swimbait with a "shad head" and a "boot tail" I just go with the less expensive unpainted option sometimes, although I do have quite a few painted heads like this as well.

Yeah, it can and does happen. I have donated my fair share of gear over the years. Be prepared people and stay safe. One other thing worth mentioning is that along with the rod holders I run in my crate I created a separate holder that I can slide a homemade dune buggy whip that I fly Old Glory from. I get to show my pride in my country and keep myself a little safer while out on the water. With all kinds of vessels flying around on plane all over the lakes and bays I feel this one extra precaution can be a huge help in letting a vessel spot you from a distance.

Yeah, don't give up on it. I went through the same thing first trying out Buzzbaits. Top water blow ups almost every cast on poppers and walking baits, couldn't get bit on the Buzzer. Have since got bit on the buzzer (thank you Cavitron) and always carry them with me. Interestingly enough, the first time fishing the A-rig was the exact opposite for me from your experience. First trip out 13 casts, 13 fish. All DINKS though compared to the quality of the grade I was catching every 6-12 casts prior. I went back to the much bigger single swim bait I was previously using. Keep in mind it sounded like a day like yours where they were on the chew. I have also since found the overall grade of fish will be slightly smaller than if I'm using other baits with biting fish in that area. I'm thinking the smaller, faster guys just beat the bigger boys to the "bait ball" quicker, that's all. Is it the end-all fish tool, not so much. When they bite that thing though, look out! Its definitely a lure that "encourages" multiple hooks up on the same retrieve more so than any other lure I have tried...

Even though it has been mentioned several times, it bears repeating, a PFD. Also, a waterproof case for your phone. This is super crucial. Don't ask me I how I know... Presentations are primarily the same. A drift sock or anchor can come in handy for slower stuff like wormin' and jigin'... This is a huge difference and advantage over a boat or even a float tube for that matter. A kayak allows you to fish waters and position yourself in places where no other angler who is not in a kayak can go.

Less is more when I'm in the yak. I used to want to take everything, but now a days I'm much more minimalist in my approach. 2-3 setups, 2-3 trays of my most effective baits, and I'm set.

^

Yes! It has become one of my absolute go-to rigs for both fresh water and salt. I never leave home with out at least one set up for it and now have dedicated setups just for the "rig". Its not an "automatic" fish catcher, but when they're on it, look out now!

I'll admit it, as far as reels go, I'm a posse member. Haha. Rods are a little more all over the place. G Loomis, Shimano, and Falcon make up the bulk. I has some other stuff in the arsenal as well. Saltwater sticks are all Calstar and Batson.

My go-to knot for braid to flouro or mono is a modified albright knot. Uni to uni for mono to flouro. If the line is breaking before the knot, its most likely the quality of the line, not so much the knot itself...

Brazil nuts? You might be only person in existence that likes those godawful things! Haha! Just kiddin' ya man. I love me some cashews, pistachios, almonds, peanuts, macadamia, etc and some people don't like some of those. All good my man.

You know, quite a few people have different ideas of what different things mean to them in life. For some, all fishing is is bait n' wait with a cooler full of beers. A neighbor who I used to surf with asked me if I brought a book with me when I went fishing. I tried explaining all the nuances and intricacies of different types of sport-fishing and it fell upon deaf ears. The bait n' wait game is not for me, but to each their own...

Thank you everyone.

Oh geez, beers all day is one thing, I couldn't imagine whiskey all day! Yikes! Haha

Well, my greatest strength can also be my greatest weakness depending if I'm clicking or not, but I feel its my ability to pattern fish. When the fish are on the chew, it seems like anyone can catch fish. Where I feel my greatest strength lies is during those super finicky bites breaking down feeding patterns, identifying fish holding structure, figuring out what they actually bite on, etc. As far a just a plain old technique is concerned, with out a doubt, draggin' a worm. Preferably a scenario that calls for the good ol' T-Rig!

You know, I was going to go there, but I didn't want it to seem like I was monkeying around with such a serious subject... Ba dum tss. I'll be here all week folks... Yeah I know, I know, I'm bored here work. I'll show myself out now... haha Yes sir! check my post. It is my go-to post fishing beverage of choice. I know some guys who put em' back all day long. No thanks. I'm there to fish. The beer can wait for the patio back home...

Yeah, I have seen some people go bonkers over this. Haha

Eats - To start the day I always try and have a hot breakfast. Breakfast Burrito, scrambled eggs and bacon, Oatmeal, etc. Lunch is usually a sandwich, Turkey, Ham, Torpedo, PB & J. Snacks - are usually some type of Nutrition Bar (I prefer Cliff bars), trail mix and/ or nuts and beef jerky. Drinks - are usually (and in this order) Coffee (early morning) , Water (all day on and off), Gatorade/ Powerade (mid day) and Beer (post trip).