RandySBreth

I also use 7' foot rods for the longer reach but do use a longer 7' or 8' fluoro leader, mostly because I like not cutting into the superline every new knot, and just plain confidence when I let a suspender sit there for looong pause. Hooksets? You'll get great hooksets with a leader or not, unless you choose a really super soft rod with braid or fused. My favorite the past few years is the old BPS Bionic Blade 7' Medium/Fast. I don't jerk downward much in colder weather, more of a pull, or twitch. I'm also tall, so 7' might be a bit much for most folks.

You might check out the "Salty B-Bugs" at lurepartsonline, too - same lure maybe in different colors and maybe texture. I like them.

I have an Orra S in the next size up - the 30 and I have 15-pound braid on it. I think you'll be fine with anything less than 20.

I use a lot of "pure" leader material in the Orvis "Mirage" fluoro tippet in 0X (16.5 pound-test) to 3X (9.2 pound test) - super stiff and strong - just amazing abrasion resistance. For fishing suspending jerkbaits in clear water I'll use nothing less than the 1X - it's the same diameter as most 10-pound test fluoro but it's 14.5 - I think it's stronger, actually. Regular filler spool fluoro is NOT the same thing by any stretch.

Nope but it looks like another similar to the slim senko - I'd buy a pack or two.

I've used it for almost two years on my pet finesse jig - I don't know if it really makes any difference but it does look different and really pretty cool. I need to post some pictures I suppose but times pretty tight today.

Bass Pro used to make a "Stick O Thin" that was an exact knockoff - they don't anymore but I bought several hundred at the outlet store when they had them on clearance. That one and the Chompers drop shot worm flat catch Spots and Smallies on Beaver, Table Rock and Bull Shoals when wacky rigged.

This may not be the best way to do backing but it's easy and inexpensive. Go get some of the super cheap mono line they have ay Wally World in 8-pound test and fill your reel spool up where you normally would, then go outside somewhere where you can tie the line to a fence or tree or your side mirror of your car - whatever. Now with the bail open walk back to where you are farther than the farthest cast you would ever make, then go another 15 or 20 feet more. Cut the mono off right there (and please dispose of it properly) and tie your braid on. I like back to back uni for the backing/mainline knot.

Guide repair - like was said it's just a couple of dollars, maybe 20 at the most.

Don't forget a real soft 4" or 5" grub swam very slowly on a light jighead - 1/16 or 1/8 at the heaviest. I like pearl or smoke if fish are up and suspended, and any craw-type color (green pumpkin or brown) if they're on the bottom. I think the two best are still Yamamoto or Kalins.

Yep - if you do use a swivel you gotta watch for reeling into your tip top - I forgot to mention that. "Bubba Shot" is just upsized dropshot - think big bait and strong hooks but the same hook above a weight rig.

I think your knots must be at fault - I've never broke off a goof cast before. Or you cast like you're swinging for the parking lot.

I will tell you in warm weather I catch more Bass (Spots, Smallies and the big green ones) on a Bomber 4A than anything else, in cold water it's an XRap Shad. Start there.

They way lots of guys on Table Rock here do it is the thinnest braid (or fused like NanoFil) you feel comfortable with, then a small swivel, then your fluoro leader. Tie the hook about 3 or 4 feet below the swivel so you can reel it up to the tip-top guide and still land fish.

I know a guy that does some wicked handpours - but for factory stuff I like Bass Pro's Walleye Angler 3" and 5" leech, a 4" or 5" beaver bait cut in half, and almost any smaller worm or grub or whatever. I do like to to upsize (Bubba Shot) with a big tube or creature bait.

That's funny - down here I like that color in the 10 size for the brown fish, too. I also am a big fan of the Tennessee Shad in the 12 size, but maybe just because I throw it more. Like someone else said, funny how that works out.

I still really like the Rapala Husky Jerk - I know - no weight transfer for long casts, and the paint isn't as detailed as some more "boutique" lures out now - but I still catch a lot of fish one them. That said - I'm liking the KVD models and the store brand from Bass Pro - the deep diving smaller model sized like the 10 size XRap - 6.99 isn't too bad for a lure that you'll probably stick in a tree top 12' down.

On a casting reel it would the spool lighter and maybe that would work - haven't tried it though. For long casts I go spinning.

Same hook he's unhappy with, senor. Maybe later I'll get a picture posted of my homemade weedless hooks Rippin Lips, but I wrap lead or solder around the hook shank, too - then either epoxy or just superglue it. Works fine. I make a weedguard like you find on those baitholder or worm hooks from old guitar strings - like this one http://www.basspro.com/Mustad-Weedless-Worm-Hook-Model-W3369A/product/30057/

http://lurepartsonline.com/Shop-By-Category/Stamina-Weedless-Jigs/Mad-Shad-Jigs.html

I have used them and they're o.k. - but I got so fed up with trying to find a decent hook for heavier cover I make my own out of Gamakatsu B10 flytying hooks and stainless wire. I used to find a heavy wire sickle Matzuo at Wally Word but they haven't carried them in years and I don't see them on their website, either.

I also really like the floating fluke lures - they used to have one that floated and had a small rattle pocket in it - I use them like a suspending hardbait in winter with enough weight to have them barely suspend or sink. Deadly drifted past logs for smallmouths in our Ozark rivers. I like the chunk jig trailers but really like the new LeechZ (which isn't Strike King) as a hair jig trailer - already catching Bass and Walleye this year on upper Bull Shoals with it.

I like Winter/early Spring, either finesse or hair jigs when the fish are near the bottom, and swimming grubs or suspending jerks when they're suspended. From the "Cows" to the dam is great Winter fishing for all three Black Bass species.

Both of the "Cows" are some good winter fishing - congrats on the 'Rock. I love it - one of the reasons I moved over here.