Grim_Reaver

I started fishing a spook with inline hooks (instead of trebles) through them like a frog last year. Cast up into the thickest patch and work it through or fish it along the edge, they'll hammer it. The inline hooks don't seem to get hung up very much, if they do at all.

Good info @ww2farmer. Will be testing different rod actions to see what works best for me.

It has the S A-RB bearings so it will be fine. For reference, the discontinued Casitas has S A-RB bearings and I've used mine inshore a lot down here in the Tampa Bay area. I even submerged it last year in pure saltwater after dropping it in the sand to clean it out and it still ran like a champ. Just mist it with freshwater for a minute or so and wipe it off with a damp rag. I never oiled it (which I probably should have now that I think about it) and will see if I can get it serviced by a local guy for the first time since I bought I a few years ago. It developed little bit of a squeak on the retrieve after beating up on some MS trout and reds in September. I'm not saying you should neglect your reels but just giving an example of what they can do. My new Shimano's will definitely be taken better care of though, lol.

I've dropped a bc reel in sand fishing a beach and submerged it in pure saltwater to wash the sand out. Only thing I did was rinse it after I got home as usual and it still works good as new. Your reel should be fine.

Minnows, especially fathead minnows, are a common forage species in a small/closed system like a pond. Bass are opportunistic predators and aren't picky.

Use a dip net or cast net in the shallows and identify/research what you catch.

x2

12lb line and Medium power rod (6'6) is what I started with and it worked really good all around. 5/8oz is MH power territory but it could work on the right M power rod. Check out the Falcon HD series. My Mach II/Falcon HD (6'6 MH) combination is very light and easy to fish. I'm planning on getting a kayak myself soon so I've been getting rods under 7' (due to recommendation) and honestly haven't noticed a difference from my longer rods. My next rod purchase will be the 6'8 M Falcon HD whenever they are back in stock (specs should be perfect for you too).

You could but I wouldn't. A three row suv would have been a better choice.

A pearl u-vibe speed worm, texas rigged, swimming right under the surface.

Good to know. Thx for the info guys

I've been eyeing those magnum flukes but haven't pulled the trigger. I just discovered the green albino color in flukes and they look like the perfect baitfish color (greenish back/pearl belly).

Pretty nice looking rig. Does the double split ring method catch more grass? My understanding from what I've seen from videos is that the single split ring doesn't allow as much movement in the bait?

Does anyone make their own jika rigs? If so, how do you make yours?

I thought about that after I posted. I was wondering why I didn't call it a "mudfish" myself.