WIGuide

Yes, you can use a jig rod for frogging. I used to use a medium heavy rod before I got one specifically for a frog and it worked well. In the really thick stuff you'd sometimes have to go in and get them, but it'd allow you to keep them pinned until you got there.

Try them both, one might work better one day the other might work better on another. Depending on water temps, this time of year might be really good lizard weather if the bass are moving up to spawn or starting to. I believe salamanders can be egg snatchers so they hate them with a passion.

Personally I'd probably go with the ram mount.

Looks like these guys have got you covered for most of your questions. I will chime in on the Lowrance vs Humminbird debate. They are both great units. I don't feel that there is a clear winner for either. Each has some qualities or features that are better than the others. It just boils down to which is more suited for you. One thing I will warn you about if you're going the Lowrance route, find out exactly what you want it to do and find out from a dealer or even on here exactly everything you need for it to work the way you want. They have a way of nickel and diming you for everything so factor that into your price and budget.

There's two Bass Pro stores less than 50 miles away, a Dicks within 20 miles, and a Cabelas within 36.

Try fishing the creek arms and then onto the flat in between there and the bank. Start at the main lake end and work you way towards the back doing this. You should run across them sooner or later. Also, be sure you are fishing S..L..O..W unless the fish tell you otherwise.

Bass weight = Length^2 x Girth^2 / 1200

Check the thermostat. It should be held in by two screws so it's not a big undertaking to get it out. Make sure there's no gunk in it or anything that would obstruct the water from flowing through. I don't have experience with that particular motor, but most have a cap that comes off and the thermostat is separate from the cap. You can replace the cap itself without the thermostat and run it to see if it does the same thing. The other thing you'll want to take into consideration as well is the water temp. If it's super cold it could possibly be cycling just fine, but that's usually in almost frozen or salt water if at all.

When you put line on the reel originally you will want to make sure the level wind is all the way to one side. If not, it'll go to the edge of the spool and then double back on itself leaving that portion of the spool with two wraps of line on it and none next to it. that uneven surface will continue to build all the way through the spool. To be completely honest though, it really doesn't matter at all.

You can use them on either, but XL was made for spinning reels and XT was made for baitcasters.

First off, you must be one heck of a girl to be buying your bf fishing gear! Major props on that and that is a very good gift. You're going to want to get him a low profile baitcaster for that rod. There are tons of good options out there especially in that price range. I'd recommend either an Abu Garcia Revo SX or their SXT.

They've got great customer service. I order from them a few times a year and never had an issue. Bought a rod once and it came with a guide that didn't have an insert. Emailed them and the next day I had a prepaid shipping label to send the rod back. They shipped a new one out asap.

Honestly the size of your hands, the reel seat , and the reel itself might dictate how you palm it. Easiest way to do it is hold your palm out, set reel with palming plate down into your palm and then close your fingers lol. The benefits of it are better rod control both while working a bait and fighting a fish; better leverage because there is more distance between the butt of the rod and your hand; the rod won't want to twist as much; your holding the rod closer to the natural balance point so it feels lighter and more balanced. Keep in mind as well that low profile baitcasting reels were originally designed to be palmed. They were smaller, lighter, and more compact than the big round reels and it also made them fit right into your palm. Give it a shot and I'm sure it will be. (Worth noting, I palm all my reels and have yet to be cut by braid, not saying it can't happen, but it's not the norm.)

I prefer a baitcaster to spinning because I feel I have better control over my bait during the cast. Yes you can feather a spinning reel but it's easier with a baitcaster. I also feel I have more control over a fish for that matter too. That doesn't mean you can't bring in a big fish on spinning gear because you can and I have too, but I prefer the baitcaster. If you like spinning reels better then by all means use them. It really doesn't matter and doesn't make you any less of a bass fisherman if you do.

You're going to want a 3 bank charger. You electronics run off your starting batter and cranking the motor will slowly drain it down too so you're going to want to keep it charged as well.

4 1/2" is the size I go with the most.

I'd say that's pretty good distance from the sounds of the setup you have. What is the recommend lure weight on your rod? I'd be guessing the whole range will be over 1/4 oz. I'd look into getting a medium power fast action rod for dropping down to the quarters. If another rod isn't an option or in the budget, you can try backing off on the breaking systems on your reel and train you thumb a little better.

Good trick for everyone who fishes to know. I've heard some pretty gruesome hook removal stories and thought to myself, "Had they only known the right way to do it...". Maybe this will help to enlighten them.

x2 It just means that your lines must be running parallel to one another. When people double the line a lot of times they'll twist or cross the two lines over one another. or somewhere in the knot they will. (not sure if I helped to explain that right or not, if not just let me know and I'll either make a video of it tonight or get a picture of some kind.)

The Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier is a well built reel that will be great to learn on. It's under $100 now.

2 Blade will give you more open water speed/power but won't do well in the grass. You shouldn't have to worry about any vibration. Get a 3 for the grass as it'll do better than the two. Also, they used to make a 4-blade ninja that would go through ANYTHING, however you did it slowly. They had very little power in open water which is why Motorguide started making the 3 blade prop. It was a happy medium between the two.

I only got to use them a little bit towards the end of last year. I caught a few on it and it looks like it's going to be a good bait. It's got a really nice gliding action and is different than most frog style baits.

x2

I thought it was ok. Sons of Guns is much better, but Paige is what made it worth watching! haha Even without her though I'd be better than retarded Amish Mafia!

You sir have fine taste! If only they'd bring back American Guns!