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I have always used bait casting rigs; now, I bought a Pfleuger President 6940 reel and put it on a 7' Berkley Medium Lightning Rod. I have not used spinning gear much. We attempt precision casts to a target where I fish, there is lots of grass, bushes or trees. With a bait casting reel, I can control the distance of the cast (if it's going to be too long by thumbing the spool. How do I shorten the lure's travel if it's too long with a spinning rig? I went out today and was able to fix some too-long casts by finding the line with my index finger but I wasn't always able to grab the line with my finger.

I bought a Pfleuger President spinning reel, I think it is 6940 model. It's the largest one they had. All my other gear is bait casting reels. I want to try a spinning reel. The President has fantastic reviews all over the internet. So, what rod? I want this for bass fishing and useful for fishing flukes and other soft plastic baits. I fish heavy cover lakes (trees). How stiff, what length, preferred action? I don't want to spend a fortune; I'd prefer to keep this under $100 unless you feel strongly that a certain rod is a must-have that costs more. Also, what line do you recommend? I like to be able to see the line.

What make and model do you have, sounds like a nice boat!

I forgot onboard charger! What are boat buckles, rod buckles? A hot foot, is that a foot throttle? Why do you want that? A good cover... for sure, forgot that! A cooler... what do you mean by that, a cooler that holds ice for food/drinks?

I am getting back into bass fishing after being 'out' for several years. My pet peeve in a bass boat is no covered lockable rod storage. I sold my 17' bass boat last year, which I used about twice. Work got it my way. As for the boat, it didn't have storage and I didn't trust the motor. I have been looking for another, even used. A large motor can be nice but I don't have to have it. It's nice to go fast and nice to have a long boat but I don't fish open water that much. I have been thinking that fishing my tree-filled lakes, a long boat is a hindrance. But I'm open. Let's say you are going to buy the bass boat you will have the rest of your life and you are willing to spend what it takes. For me... - new or used but favor used due to bang for buck if I can find what I want - material: I am favoring aluminum, don't know why other than I guess it costs less and there are a lot of used aluminums to choose from - length: 17-18 is plenty long - motor: 50-115 hp, and I suppose 4-strokes are favored these days? - shape: probably semi-v instead of flat bottom jon boat - large aerated live well - covered rod storage that will accept up to 7.5' to 8' rods - adequately powered troll motor (24 volt better?) - two fish finders (I don't know enough about them to choose yet but am intrigued with at least one higher end one) - vinyl / carpet -- I don't know enough about this either but I wonder if vinyl is better. Although, a friend said it can get hot in summer on feet. - trailer -- Must be easy to unload and load by myself! - spare tire - back up camera or dang good mirrors. I can back up real well but I must be able to see! - lots of storage everywhere, including under the middle seats (wasted space if they don't use it!) - decks -- front and back decks - console steering. Stick steering is nice because you have it right there, but I need a deck. - LED lights. I have seen some decked out with LED lights and I suppose that is cool for night fishing. - color: I don't care that much but do not want camoflauge. If it looks nice, that's a bonus.\ - easy to clean I might have found a used Tracker, but in case he doesn't come through... I have found some I like... Bass Tracker War Eagle Lowes G3 Custom Whatever I really like the looks of the G3. I fish in AR/LA/TX and there is a lot of timber and other hazards. A boat that you could 'design' -- that might be cool. But, you might find just what you want all ready to go. What would be your ideal bass boat? Any must-haves, any tips? Lately, I have been fishing some out of my 14' jon boat with 5HP Nissan and a hand-controlled troll motor. I fished that way a zillion times when I was young but I tell ya, it's certainly not ideal! Not stable enough and I have to run the troll motor off the stern and the wind makes me saw around a lot. The boat is too small to install a deck on it.

I fish mostly soft plastics, Texas rig. We all hate to lose a fish. When you are setting up your fluke or worm or whatever and you stick the hook through in that final step to make it weedless, it seems that it might take quite a hook set to get that hook to first, come out of the plastic and then into the fish's mouth. So, I set the hook pretty hard. I wonder about that. So far, I have been using braided line, even up to 65 lb, and that should have very little stretch. So, is a hard hook set necessary? When I lose a fish and get the bait back and the hook is not totally out of the plastic, it's kind of bunched up, I think "Aargh, not a good enough hook set." I try to remember to set the hook twice. The ideal lure would be one with an exposed hook, but that's impossible around here, what with the heavy cover. I have also thought of trying a weedless hook, the kind with the thin wire loop around the hook barb. You wouldn't have to come through the soft plastic. Anyone tried that or what is your secret, if you have one? One thing that does seem a good thing is to make sure you set the hook by kind of having the butt of the rod anchored into your body, elbows touching your body, and then the butt of the rod is used kinda like a fulcrum, and the rod tip is jerked upwards/backwards with your lower arms and wrists. A powerful snap. When you watch any pro, it seems that's how they do it. I see them feel the fish and usually reel down a bit to take out slack and wham. Setting the hook is important when fishing Texas rig, just wish there was a definitive answer.

I just got in some Sunline FX2 braid that is black/blue color and wow, I cannot see this. For fishing soft plastics, not good! I can't see the line! Sometimes I know I got a fish because I see the line moving. I have never tried fluorocarbon, curious to use it. Is it any good for soft plastics (fluke, worm, creature baits)? BTW, the water around here is pretty stained. I fish mostly heavy cover lakes. No rocks but lots of snags. (Louisiana) Do you favor high vis line?

I fish a fluke a lot and don't use a weight (but I'm open to considering!), so, it's only the weight of the Zoom fluke (or copy) and a 4/0 or 5/0 hook. So, it's pretty light. Fish a lot in Cypress tree lakes, a bazillion targets to cast at. I bought a Lew's 7.3:1 speed spool reel, just got it in. And just got in a 7 1/2' Cashin med/hvy rod to put it on. I bought this for frogs and because it seemed to be good for pitchin? I am determined to learn pitchin / flippin to hit the target better what with all the Cypress tree limbs. But for casting, what do you think are good reels / rods for using a weightless fluke? Seems I saw a shallow spool mentioned as a benefit. EDIT: I can also consider a spinning rod/reel. Would you want a whippy setup or stiff? I have seen Pfleuger Presidents recommended online all over the place. I have no idea about a rod. Also, what kind of line is recommended?