corn-on-the-rob

I like to have a medium power rod, especially around larger smallies, but that rod will do great!

shhh...

I prefer the insert heads, but that is mainly because tubes don't hold very well on normal hook keepers on other head designs. I'd go with Inserts or texas rig, though a screw lock can do a decent job if your shakey head jig has one.

It is worth noting the the worms you are talking about have similar, if not the same diameter in each size, the biggest difference is the number of holes in the tail section may not have the intended effect if the longer ones were shortened.

Okay, so I spool up a reel with lets just say 125 yards of braid with no backing. By then end of the season, through break offs and re-tying, I only have 75 yards left on the reel. For the next season, I pull that 75 yards off, put mono backing on it, put it back on, then I get another season out of it until there is not enough braid left from break offs and re-tying. Whereas, If you put backing on initially, then only 75 yards of braid, once that braid gets too short, you have to re-spool, probably after one season. So in 2 seasons you use 150 yards, where I only used 125. Obviously, these numbers are just for the sake of the concept, but I believe it makes my point. I know I personally use less braid in the long run by spooling with no backing, then using backing once it gets too short.

I think a floating jerkbait (any brand) is one of the most effective baits ever made.

This is where I always disagree with people. I will spool the whole wheel with braid, either through the holes on the spool or a little electrical tape backing. THEN when I use enough of the braid, I can then add mono backing behind it and get a double the life simply by putting on that extra 25-50 yards of braid at the very start.

Spend the time, find a good plan, and if you have time, create a back up plan or know how to adjust when plan A isn't working. Be careful beating up your fish so close to tournament day too.

You strike me as a speedo type of guy.

I know you gave us a "budget," but what is your relative budget. If you are okay with spending money on higher quality baits and understand that you won't have much quantity, go with keitech and other above suggestions. If you just want a crapload of baits, go with the cheaper brands, many of them are still very effective. Or you can always buy a bunch of different brands to try a pack and see what you like.

lunch meat sandwiches, gatorades, and pop tarts are the only things ever on the boat.

Yes they do.

I agree, it just seems that I can't find very much information online about this specific question. Anyone have any links?

Yes, but what is the benefit or ideal application for each?

I am trying to research the functional difference between these two style of hooks, and cannot find much. I understand the general shap differences, but not the benfits/downsides to each style. Anyone have any insight?

On spinning rods, I keep it just shy of locked for the hookset, then loosen accordingly on the fly if the fish is large enough. BC's I tighten just shy of locked and am always ready to thumb a free spool if the pull is hard enough. It is important to note that I run relatively heavy line for my spinning set ups, I just always feel that I never want my drag to slip too much on a hookset unless I am using very light line.

My buddy lives near a private lake that sets up very similarly. The moving baits and frogs get a ton of action and some really solid fish, but the plus size girls almost always come off a jig or something similar. My advice would be to work a jig or T-rig on the edges and thinner areas, then use a punch rig to go get them in the nasty stuff! Should give you another dimension in your approach and hopefully provide some additional/bigger bites!

Just another case of a large group of people doing something that has no scientific basis. A simple case of correlation, does not imply causation, that is justified through poor anecdotal evidence. Because there is a large enough amount of people that do this, the number of people participating in the practice is also used as a basis for proof, and information is passed on and practiced due to poor evidence and a large following. Glenn and Team9 hit the nail on the head with this one. There really isn't a good reason to practice this.

My last fish of the season, went out on Erie in mid December, 42 degree water. We each kept our best two for fun. I'm in the middle. We each had a 3lb and a 4lb class fish. Each of our smaller ones were 3lb 8oz, 3lb 8oz, 3lb 9oz Our bigger ones went 4lb 3oz, 4lb, 4lb 9oz Brought in 24 smallies between the 3 of us in about 6.5 hours

I would use the same thing you would use for similar weight spinner baits.

They do have a light "scent" even though there may not be an official scent added. It might just be plain worm oil. Either way you have nothing to worry about. Unless it smells like straight gasoline, it's all in your head. If it is still gonna bother you, add a few drops of your favorite scent to mask it.

Remember, there is a difference between 2D sonar, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging. If you go to the HB website they have videos showcasing each feature.

Yea that's one great deal even if it isn't the 2.0. I just picked up two 6' 8'' M XFast spinning rods of the 2.0, I can't wait to try them! Abu really does make a good product and over the last year and a half most of my rod purchases are trending towards them. Of course, since they are a Pure Fishing company, their customer service is great. Like others mentioned, abu tends to run slightly stiffer than most brands for their rating, but, I actually like that.

Springtime I like jerkbaits if applicable, tube/craw/grub works all year round. Some craw colored shallow cranks can be great as well. Just keep it simple, work the column, and let them tell you what they want.

In my opinion, it seems to be too symmetrical to be attributed to a physical interaction with forage/surrounding environment. Obviously blood carries essential nutrients to every capillary/crevice it flows into, and maybe the colder thicker blood almost lingers in these small areas it is forced in to. Just a thought.