budgetbassin

I'd try a weightless Zoom Super Fluke around the grass.

I had 50lb powerpro do the same thing one time. It snapped inside of the reel and sounded as you described. I just thought that there was a small backlash someone that I missed. I hated to see my favorite buzz bait sink to the middle of the pond though.

For a $100 spinning setup, I would get a Pflueger President Size 30 spinning reel ($60) and a 6'6'' medium Berkley Lightning Shock Rod ($40). Spool it with 20lb PowerPro braid and never look back.

I throw the 1/4 oz size on a medium 6'6'' spinning rod with no problem. I'm sure that even the small 3/16 oz size could be thrown on a medium power rod without too much effort.

I fished a lipless crankbait most of last winter in southeastern middle Georgia and caught pretty good numbers of fish. Last winter, the water was high and muddy, and the sound and flash of a lipless crank was the ticket. I mostly used Cotton Cordell Super Spots and Rat-L-Traps. I never got around to the Red Eye Shad, but I'll try it this winter. I also had good luck on 3''-4'' soft plastic swimbaits with a straight retrieve before the water got too muddy. As the water cleared going into spring, a weightless Zoom Super Fluke was the ticket. P.S. Most of my fishing last winter was done in a 3-5 acre pond because of time constraints.

Bluegill decided to smash the Ole hula popper.

If there isn't too much grass, try a lipless crank in chrome blue or chrome black. I had excellent luck with that when one of my spots was that color. Otherwise, try a weightless zoom super fluke.

If you're just getting started, I'd suggest an Abu Garcia Black Max 3 combo with a 6'6'' medium heavy rod. The whole combo should cost about $70. For spinning, I would suggest a Pflueger President combo in 6'6'' medium rod. There is plenty of tackle under $4. Gamagatsu EWG hooks are less than $3 a pack at Walmart. Yum dingers are about $3 a pack. If you want a lipless crank, Cotton Cordell Super Spots are about $3. Strike King Mini King spinnerbaits are under $3,and there's always the $1 ones.

1. Inline Spinner 2. Beetle Spin 3. KVD 1.0 Squarebill 4. 2'' or 3'' grub on 1/8 oz head

3-4 pounds

This past year, I really liked the Cotton Cordell Super Spots for $3 and Big Bite Baits Trick Sticks for about $3.

I have been fishing out of a kayak on and off since about April. I have just been using a traditional PFD like you'd use while water skiing. It works okay in the kayak, but I am looking for one with a high back so that I can sit more comfortably in the kayak. I would like to find one that is both comfortable and functional. I'm looking for recommended PFDs in the $100 range.

Get a few crappie-sized crankbaits. They are generally inexpensive and extremely effective. They'll catch almost anything especially in smaller bodies of water. For a slightly larger crankbait, try the smaller KVD squarebills like the 1.0 or the Bomber Square As.