JayKumar

Without a boat you can see the launch, if you want to get up that early, and the weigh-in. Some pros will stick around for autographs and to talk, others will bolt right out of there, especially if they've had a bad day. There are sponsor booths where you can check out and sometimes buy products. If you go on Saturday, some of the pros who didn't make the cut might be in the booths so you can chat with them. If your son wants to meet a particular pro, ask one of the B.A.S.S. folks, they might be able to help make it happen. Good luck, have fun, and props to you for encouraging your son in fishing!

Call them, they should take care of you.

Welcome! The fishing media biz is a tough one, but it can be cracked!

Second (third?) the recommendation to get a frog-specific rod IF you will be doing a lot of frogging. Action depends on what you will be frogging around (mats/slop, pads, etc). Needs to be rod that can handle braid, fast tip. Just note that heavy action varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Just try to put the rod in your hands before buying....

Any rod of your preferred action (feel them) and the best reel you can afford.

Either one would be great

Yep try wool with the fingers that you can peel back. I'm gonna test out the Simms neoprene gloves this winter. You can also look up ice fishing gloves....

Know what type of water your lake is (lowland rez, highland rez, etc), then learn and apply seasonal patterns, and get the best electronics you can afford and really learn how to use them. You will find the fish. From there it's all execution. You can do it!

Stick worms, aka Senko or YUM Dinger. No doubt!

Big black Power Worm or shakey head or Senko. Go-tos for me.

My own feeling about inflatables is I don't trust them. Would rather go old school. Just my issues though....

Ocho is different from Senkos because it's not round -- has 8 flat sides, so I guess it could flash. Interesting post, tx!

Molay is 100% right on the hookset. Line looks okay, rod also real important -- not too stiff. Recommend the Mustad KVD trebles: http://www.***.com/Mustad_KVD_1x_Strong_2x_Short_Triple_Grip_Treble_Hook/descpage-MKVDEST.html?from=bblst

My PB is a NH 9.5 -- and several fish at least that big were swimming in that pond, one the locals said had no fish. The DDs are there!

All good advice. Also make sure you're rigging the Fluke straight. If it's even a little off, it will twist your line.

Very cool! Might cover it in the BassBlaster....

Recommend getting baitcasting gear and learning how to use it. Way better than spinning gear. Either way get a Shimano reel if you can afford it, and Loomis or Kistler rods. Lots of good rods out there, recommend you handle several in person and make your decision from there. Some rods are good but feel way bulkier than others when compared in person. Good luck, and props for selling the gaming stuff!

Ish Monroe, one of the best frog fishermen period, only walks his frogs and fishes them wherever he would fish any topwater, pads/weeds or no pads/weeds. If you're having trouble walking it, cut one side of the legs shorter.

Read this, it may help:

Congrats on the record! Shimano all the way. But...would recommend switching to baitcasting gear, especially if you're going after larger fish.

Many good ones out there, the DTs and Strike King 6XD are great.

I've had the good fortune to fish all over the U.S. for bass. Still my biggest is a 9.5 in a NH pond that the locals swore had no fish in it (+1 on the little fishing pressure). There were at least 6 fish that big or bigger in there. For sure there's a DD in NH!

Congrats man, that's huge. Advice that I'm sure you understand is to NOT incur debt to fish professionally. That kills a lot of guys. Good luck brother, hope to see you in the bigs!

Both Pradco and Pure Fishing manufacture and market their own stuff. As with all major tackle companies, some is in the U.S., some isn't. Some China, Japan and European facilities manufacture multiple brands, but to the companies' individual specs, no different than any other kind of manufacturing.

Keep it off the bottom!