Boomstick

I would go with the 150, that's large enough for anything you ever need bass fishing really. I have one loaded with 65# braid with mono backing and have more than enough line.

I rarely have issues with non microguide rods even with a double uni, but I would try learning the Alberto or FG knot which is much slimmer. I set it to the point it just begins to click, that casts the best. If I have it much tighter than that not only do I lose casting distance, but it actually backlashes more. Use the brake between 6 and 10 depending on your preferences, and lure and rod etc (maybe 12 in heavy winds and lighter lures)

I would start with Berkley Big Game either in 12# or 15#. It's decent line and cheap so if you have to cut out a backlash and respool, it's no major money out of your pocket. Also a fatter line diameter is appropriate for cover, will be easier to cast without backlashing and easier to pull out a backlash.

I never have had any of these problems except when I fished some 12# line heavily around rocks. I never have used Assassin, but Sniper is a pretty decent fluorocarbon and I've never had any issues with that. I've had some spooled up a couple of seasons with out any issues.

Some stock hooks are poor quality and may bend out of the gate. But many brands ship lures with quality hooks out of the gate so you don't have to change them. Strike King is an example of a brand that ships with poor quality hooks. You can catch fish on them, but if you hook a big one, you might lose it but if you throw on a quality hook (Owner Stinger ST-36 is my hook of choice) then you're good.

It's pretty much to sell more senkos to people who want different colors. In all reality, I can pick a handful and that's all I'd ever really need, but someone else might think watermelon with black and red flakes is better than with just red flakes, so that exists too.

There's an endless number of options. I would probably try to use 20# or 30# braid on the spinning rod (being a medium heavy) because braid handles better on spinning gear. And I would use 12# mono on one of the casting reels and either 15# mono or 40# braid on the other. 40# braid is adequate for light duty frogging - which is all I would expect on a MH rod anyway. I would advise to sticking to mono over fluorocarbon for now because it floats and it's cheaper and you're just starting out. Berkley Big Game is fine if you are on a budget, and if you want something a little better handling Sufix Siege is great.

I would use 12-15# mono and that should be about perfect for a Whopper Plopper 90. My kid uses 12# mono on a Sierra 703C which has less backbone than that rod for the same thing and has yet to lose one as far as I know.

To me, the 90 is a sort of inbetween sized lure that an be thrown on a M/F or a MH/MH or MH/F. Braid users will prefer a slower taper. It is a treble hook, but a larger treble hook so you can use a slightly heavier rod than you normally would use it for. Both the 7'1" M/F or the 7' MH/MF Mojo Bass rods are perfectly fine option for the Whopper Plopper 90.

As a kayaker, I can struggle on larger bodies of water simply due to the time it takes to find the fish - especially on new water. It may take me a day or two just to find spots with bass. The other thing that I could really appreciate with a bass boat would be a large rod locker that would let me rig up multiple rods. Since I do not have room to transport multiple rods rigged in my truck when I am bringing one of the kids with me, this would mean we could get to the lake and hit the water, saving some time.

Sounds like a fun party!

A day and a hour late? We had a small turnout, but I did stay on just to see if you popped on.

Tonight's call info is below. See you all in a few! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87924455690?pwd=Sm82NTlzRmRsRERBTDJ1R2FxVVlwUT09 Meeting ID: 879 2445 5690 Passcode: 594378

I have not had any issues. $200 buys a real nice reel whether it's a Daiwa Tatula SV or a Shimano SLX MGL70.

A lot of people did not like this rod from a kayak. You have to keep the tip low when fighting a fish, but when you can't do that on a kayak it runs out of tip fast. I got my kid the 6'10" ML/XF. On the lighter side for a drop shot, but so far so good (with braid). And it's nice and light and balances perfectly with a lightweight Tatula LT 2500D reel. Much more balanced than my Avid X. Really like the Victory line a lot, Great rods for the price.

I put one of these diagonally across the bed of my truck. Definitely got my money's worth. Spinning rods and higher end rods ride in the cab from the passenger's floor to the rear seat roof.

I have the Daiwa Tatula 7'4" H/F frog rod, which is probably similar in power and action. My frog of choice is the LiveTarget 2 1/4" which says it weighs 5/8oz. Never have a problem with casting distance, and the larger one throws even further.

Invites sent!

Well I carry a box of jigs of various types and terminal tackle with me on my kayak on all times, since I almost always fish various combinations of soft plastics or jigs.

Yeah that's generally what I do. It's really a matter of finding where fish are for me too, I can cover a larger area with a T-Rig, so I tend to start there in grass unless I know the area is hot or typically produces.

The flat head on the Strike King skipping jigs with a beaver or bug style trailer works pretty good for skipping.

Jigs definitely can produce well in vegetation. I tend to lean T-Rig often simply because if I anchor my kayak in the middle of some grass, I can cast it a little further where it's hard to finesse a jig through grass on real long casts. However if I know the spot is hot, I may opt to go with a jig too and move around as needed.

I only have experience with the first two but either would work out fine. If you only spend 3/8oz and want something a little bit nicer that can be a workhose and a good T-Rig and lighter jig rod, I might consider the St Croix Victory 7'1" MH/F.

I have never had to back reel with my Tatula LT. If you want to because it's your preference but the drag works great on that reel.

You usually just have to try both and see what the fish want that day. T-Rigs typically get more bites, but when a bass takes a jig they typically swallow it right up. Also smaller bass often won't take the jig. It gets even ore confusing when you consider a finesse jig vs a T-Rig. As a rule of thumb where to start, if there is wood around or I'm dragging along the bottom I will start with a jig and if there's grass then I opt for a T-Rig as they will pick up a lot less grass.