Angry John

I use a lot of flouro leaders so i tie them from knot right out of tip-top to hook on hook hanger. This way the line never gets bent around the tip-top when storing or traveling. This i feel creates a weak point where your more likely to break off. On most of my rods that ends up being right about 4.5-5 feet. If your drop shot fishing in super clear water then you may need longer and then its not really a leader but a top shot. I feel anything over 10 feet should be considered a topshot.

Bought my first high speed reel a while ago but just starting to put it to use. I am finding that I don't care for it as an all around option. Might get put on a rod for pitching and punching only. Seems to fast for my style and moving baits. Do people use these ratios on cranks and other moving baits with good results. Maybe I just don't like cranking that slow.

The only part I worry about is if they require an insert. The strike king weights have never cut my line so I am happy with them. Paint has no issues either

I used the smallest owner welded snap on lures for crappie and trout. They worked well for me.

I have only fished wholford of those listed and it was a nice lake. They rent boats on location so that may be something to look at as i did not have one available to me. We landed some nice bass but my buddy caught a 12lb rainbow on a dropshot winch was totally unexpected. He thought he had the "big one". We gave him plenty of grief about it....

Ugly sticks cannot be beat for treble hook baits on the cheap. There moderate action works well and keeps them pinned nice. I hate them for the same reason for fishing plastics. They are sold as an all around rod and that frustrates a lot of people trying to fish single hook texas rigged plastics.

I use a sealed box as one of my four in my bag to keep plastics. The main reason is to keep it from making a huge pile and stay organized but keeping things from being bent up like my fluke tails is a second reason...

What??? you mean bass can be caught on line that is not the latest and greatest pitched by KVD and 40 dollars for 200 yards. I appreciate some people here keeping it real sometimes. Heck maybe even spend that line money on a good rod or reel.

Education is all in approach. Willing to give up a few worms and hooks most young anglers will listen as they catch fish and learn your ways. Money and time are both valuable but its an investment in the care of our sport and will get there attention without causing all the problems. Catch them with honey not a stick

I would look at inshore rods. The guides are stainless and the rod will last a lot longer. I fish a lot of st croix and i know they have an inshore series but i have yet to fish them. My second big fear would be reel being saltwater safe. I have had a president in the past but dont know how well it would take the salt. There are versions of the zillion and the advantage that i have used that are salt safe. You may be able to find a 3000 series advantage spinning reel that would be great.

cavitron let there be only one...

I buy used or new old stock so i dont follow the new releases. Real deals are there to be found if you put in the time. I picked up a NIB 2000 certate for 203 shipped to the house. I dont think i will ever find a deal like that again but i will always be on the look out. I would like to try one of the specials like a 2006 or 2008 due to the shallow spool size. The PE specials should have a faster gear to x wrap the braid to prevent dig in. Never tried one yet but not against the idea.

You can drag a horse to water but!!!!

On line is free shipping no tax that's like 8 percent off in most places. If it's a dream rod get at an authorized deeper so he can register it. The waranty changes between diffrent levels. Avids used to be lifetime but the avid-x is like 15 now. Same blank.

2500 are popular and the standard bass size. I normally go smaller on my reels but I only go up to medium. The cusTom r versions are nice. Depending if you plan to use flouro with no leader over 8lb you may consider a 3000 due to the larger arbor size.

Megabass lin 10. Final answer

I use 10 lb yhb. It's a strong line it sinks almost as fast as full flouro but the knot strength is waaaaay better. Don't have time for overly complicated knots or line that burns like a Christmas tree in a bonfire.

I love brush hogs but I use the super hog for punching because it has less appendages and goes threw easier. I also like the mustad grip pin hooks in 4/0 for this bait. If your trying to use a bait with more things hanging off then the skirt will help, but I just use the weight and hog and get through most stuff. I also use the strike king rage craw in black blue for the same areas.

Never seen a farmer who could not use a hand for a bit. It may be worth your time something for nothing is not the best approach.

My success has been greatly improved by bringing a kid along. My little girl melts hearts and i seem to do well when she goes with. In CT i never had any luck at all people in the north east haven been very friendly as down south or out west.

If your going to try traditional flipping a rod in the 7'6"-8'0" range would be best. Most people flip with a heavy power or a 5 power rod but 6 power is also common. If you have a preferred brand or price range that helps but if i were to buy a rod i would give serious consideration to the dobyns dx795c. There are also some megabass rods that would be good to check out the the Orochi XX Casting Rod 7'9" XXH Aaron Martens Flipping. Those two would peak my intrest depending on your budget.

It seems all the rules change in a yak. I fish heavier rods than most due to wanting a solid rod for just the reason you mentioned. When i am tossing a swim jig or a 4.8 i am running 15lb p-line 100% or 15lb YHB. I dont like braid for swim baits as its supposed to be a natural approach. As said earlier i hit them like i want to cross there eyes and any fish under a pound normally flies over the boat and i have to reel him in after his airborne trip. The hookset is everything in a yak because you start to move right after and keeping tension is much more difficult. I do this same thing when frog fishing from my yak.

I use pline 100% in the blue and black box in 15 a lot and don't bother with line conditioner. It and sniper are very close in how they handle but I get 250 yards so I get two full fills of line. I would recommend 12 for you as I have that rod and its nice with ten or twelve.

The hook point is different and if I remember correctly the 41 has a cutting point. I have no issue getting them pinned and keeping them that way with this hook.

well i own the casting and spinning version of the rod. It is not a jig rod for sure. Unless your fishing a river with 1/8 and 1/16 this rod is way more moderate than every other rod i own. I wish now that i had got the 4 power rod and i still use it but not for the intended purpose. I use 4" paddle tails and 4" wacky rigs. The power is much less that what i am used to on a medium power rod. On the plus side its a great squarebill rod and works tube baits very well. I run mine with an alphas and i think the larger reel will feel to big. 20lb braid with 10 lb or 15lb leader will work well or 10 lb YHB. If your a die hard shimmano guy i would look at a core.