Choporoz

That is a great question. For me, if I ever stop to think about it, because my speed is not right.... I am retrieving too fast.....except on rare occassions that I'm retrieving too slow.

I might be that guy. Some reasons - -I mostly fish from a kayak and there's a LOT of backswing risk in casting with the lure a long ways from the tip; just touching the water on the backswing will, at best, decrease your distance and accuracy, and at worst begin the very quick process of birdnesting the crap out of a reel -Even if I don't hit the water, there's seven other rods and a flag behind me that would create whole different kinds of crises if hit -I also fish from small boats with my wife. We've both learned after many years fishing together to control the amount of line between the rod tip and the lure....for obvious reasons. People on ends of a 14 foot boat are no where near 14 feet apart -There's times when distance is desired, but its rarely more important than accuracy...to me

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/trick-worm-floating-worm.html

I know the tech refreshes pretty often, so my equipment could well operate very different from one sold just a couple years ago. But, you only need a few times out to get a 'feel' for the wires -- when you pull, you can feel the fins flip -- granted, in the early days, I didn't instinctively have my feet together and there were times when only one turned --- still more than enough to move in reverse, but it felt weird not getting resistance on one pedal. Mine, I can most certainly feel that it engages and not have any doubt that I can immediately pedal backward - I appreciate that it might be nice not to have to pull a cable...(especially down the road when I have a wire or hardware failure)...but I just don't have an issue with it when fighting fish -- I'm sure the some of the non-Hobie guys must put a hand on the rudder with a fish on at times....or grab a net....or fishgrips....or, like me, ash my cigar...without losing a fish

I paddled for a number of years and often said that I had little need for pedals. I was lying to myself. After 12 months with Mirage360, I can't imagine going out without it anywhere other than rocky rivers. The 'wire-pull shift to reverse' has never left me wishing I could just pedal backwards instead...it takes less than a second....but, what do I know? Could be lying to myself again. I take a full size paddle strapped alongside that never gets unstrapped -- just there in case the drive breaks. I also take a hand-paddle that I use maybe once every twenty trips -- usually when I get too tight into docks and marinas and mangly laydowns

Tidal Potomac ramp within three miles of my front door.

Good advice.....and while you're at it, take a few more minutes to test all your jerkbaits, too -- winter's the time to get them sporting the attitude you want....just don't forget that water temp is a factor

5'8" is a little short If you go up to 6 1/2 feet, you will find greater amount of choices. What is your maximum price? St Croix Mojo has a 'light lure' MF under seven feet that is priced well

Good luck! Don't worry about those being 'big worms'....in fact, they're only 2/3 the length of the truly big Mann's worms. Now, I probably wouldn't be throwing 10-12 in worms in January, but, doesn't mean they won't work, too.

I couldn't figure more than two good options for side scan on my Compass: -arm, or -hanging in ducer hole below hull I went with the latter, using BerleyPro ducer cover: Pic from BerleyPro site...not my yak I think @J Francho uses arm on his Compass

Looking back, I recall being a bit nervous at first.....two rods, leashed....paddle leashed -- milk crate from Dunkin....one 3600 box and a B.A.S.S. bag with some plastics. Last weekend I had eight rods, five 3700 boxes, a dozen and a half bags of plastics, 7 in Garmin and battery, flag, measuring board, hand paddle, water bottles, tools, etc. Haven't used leashes since first couple weeks with a kayak years ago....they serve a purpose and some people like 'em....I didn't Start out modest and you'll find out what you're increasingly comfortable with - I still pare down if hitting a river with rough stretches

Don't tell me....tell the OP...?

I'd move somewhere that I can fish year round

I run a MinnKota EnduraMax 55 using Interstate 27 battery. I can end up limping in after eight hours on a windy day....on a calm day, I've gone 12 hours

Four LMB over 20" (no weights) - one each on chatterbait, jig, Rage Bug and senko Not sure what to make of that....lol

Yes. And no. I don't even know what a trick worm is any more. Used to be that I could be relatively sure you were talking about a skinny Zoom worm with not a lot going on at the tail...maybe a little bulge... around six and a half inches long....didn't float...but the tail sank slowly and wiggled on the way down. I fished them on shakey heads and weightless mostly, though sometimes weighted wacky. Nowadays, you can find a worm any thickness from about 1/8" up to probably 3/4"....and any length from 2 1/2" to over 12". So, there's litterally dozens (hundreds?) of skinny worms between 5 1/2 and 8 inches....some float, some don't...some are neutrally buoyant...so, the answer is that you can get a worm that will do whatever you want in all likelihood.

If your current combo isn't giving you problems, and if you don't feel you have need for two baitcasters right now, I'd say save your money. You just aren't likely to notice huge performance upgrades moving one 'tier' at a time. You may gain in durability or longevity, but I think you should ignore the monkey for now.

My brother in law is color blind and I actually envy him when we fish together. I can overthink color and tend to carry way too many varieties

I used Hook4x and Hook5x for last several years. Good units and good prices.

When I switched from Gammy to Owner SSW hoks, my dropshot hookup ratio increased dramatically

I like the question. Like @OkobojiEagle, I don't have a good answer for making ballhead jigs weedless; I have alternatives.....I love Brewer's spider/sled/slider head weighted hooks and Owner's ultrahead finesse weighted hooks.

Deadly on a drop shot

Three times. All satisfactory. Send pics on first correspondence. Pics of break, pic of serial number, pic of receipt. Last time, I had new rod shipped sanme day I placed claim....even though I said up front that it was almost certainly my fault.

The lessons on this subject are difficult to apply in the wind, though, that's when its probably most important. On those really dead calm days or nights, spend some time really working on your focus. You will more quickly learn the differences between sand, rock, wood, bluegill, bass, etc. Keep a finger on the line and intently focus on that pinpoint spot where the line enters the water. That sort of focus may be more important in a breeze, but I don't learn as much about how much I miss.

With your line straight up and down, but not too taut, just clip the knocker to your line and let it slide down and knock your lure loose. If it doesn't come loose at first, drop your tip to give some slack and snap back up quick to pop the knocker up and slide down again....sometimes it takes a few attempts.