tritondriver

sam is correct, i have found some 4.25 inch craws where the 3/0 is longer than the body so even though I dont like it, it does call for smaller hooks to fit the body..

I watched a video yesterday of bobby barrack one of the most acknowledged frog fisherman in the country on fishin frogs....he said...when the frog disappears...swing the dang rod...I will be taking his advise..

prior to any casting practice, learn the proper setup of the reel and each different bait they will be different, if u don't do that u will end up getting a rats nest on almost each cast...that is the first thing to do then practice short casts and get longer with time... as for left vs right I don't know why most reels in the store are right handed, fits me great as I am left handed but I do know most offer a left hand model just have to search online or ask the store.

great job..

the TS is the way to go, solid support for the the SI ducer and rock solid when mounted..

the arbor knot will work as I use that on reels without the holes, make sure that the tag end has a big enough knot to catch when you tighten the line. if your reels have the holes moisten it a lil when putting into the holes then turn the handle slowly the line will catch and the line will tighten up then you can spool the rest. I use this on a Berkley line winder so if you are spooling while on the pole may be a lil tougher.

on youtube there is a video of shaw grigsby and a few others tieing a knot they use for floro. not sure they named it but I have two cranks tied on using the knot but have not thrown them yet. as for jigs I use 20lb McCoy and 15lb McCoy on all other rods...have never had a broken line in 15 years..

next time check out tackle warehouse or outdoor pro shop..

there are national orgs that should be in MO do a search on anglers choice or American bass, for more local tounies go to a poplar lake and take to the local bait stores they will know..

the screw will chew it up also, just picked up a pack of gamkatsu skip gap gonna try those with all plasticks..and many knockoff of the senko, but don't know one that is made like the senko..just look like it..

im 5' 9 and use a 7.6 st.croix premier heavy, u wont have a problem check them out great rod medium priced..

u can do a search on rod makers...st.croix, dobyns, loomis, etc. they all list their rods for types of lures and the tips and backbones they recommend...then make a decision.

there are times to use a straight cast, so I would use a lil more thumb and if ya can in the wind crank ur brakes down a lil you will find that helps..

I have gone through solar bats, wiley x, and Oakley they all have had pros and cons, so I tried the SK S11 to compare...the S11 are not built as well as all plastic, but they fit great don't slide down the nose and the lens is comparable to the expensive ones I listed...u can find them cheaper on amazon then what the tackle stores are selling them for....I am goin with the SK11 in the future..

take a look at the SC webpage it lists all the specs of the rods and they are generally used for. personally I would go with the MH as that is what all my casting and one spinning rod are with either a fast or moderate tip action. also there are many places online to order the rod of your choice so don't settle on what a local store has in stock, I have about 20 SC rods and only about 5 were bought in local stores...

youtube has a video from almost every major pro out there where they discuss what line they use and when and what types of baits also several other web sites have videos discussing the same. me I personally do not use braid on anything, if I need more or less test I just buy heavier or lighter McCoy and have yet to break off anywhere. I do use floro for cranks because most of the video recommended it but again I only use McCoy. You will get a thousand answers for your question I would suggest watching the video and read the articles then make your own choice...

st. Croix premier 7'.6 H...decent price and made in the USA....

if the motor is as old as the boat i would have the motor checked by a qualified mechanic. i would no matter what the age of the motor..

seems we do the same thing in the summer and last year not quite a bust at clearlake but the alage was enough to drive ya nuts..shasta is a nice trip,nice fishin and eagle watching but do not go on a holiday weekend the lake is full of boats and lice..if you camp and go to shasta do not stay on the west side as that is were the railroad tracks are located and the horns blow at all hours of the night as the trains cross the bridge.

check the st.croix webpage you will find what u need....

if you do a search on the brand webpage most of them have the rods listed for most any combination of lure you want to throw based on backbone and tip action...i would not discount st.croix premiers great rods at medium price range and under your 300...

i watched a video a few years ago of a pro that was from CO, dont remember his name, but in that video he basically said there was only one lake for bass fishing and i believe it may be south of the springs..

check the reports on westernbass...

just remember to match the hook with the size, a 3/0 will give the 5 inch a slower fall then the 5/0 but i do use both, but only the 5/0 on the 6in...and i use only wide gap so pick the pick hook of ur choice..

if you cant find the forage, match whats in the water you are fishing...greend or darker for weeds, browns for dirt and rocks...