Reel

I've got a Core 50 that I put on a Shimano Cumulus rod. It makes a great outfit. A 20 year old outfit that can as nice to use as the latest products

I also always use a foot pedal for my Ultrex. I like to be standing up front to get a better view of the water around. I do a lot of sightfishing in clear water so it's important for me to know what's ahead.

The 110 are really good but I also like the Shimano Zumverno, a bit smaller but with a really nice action.

The low pitch hum is a sign that the system is working correctly. I don't think that there is any other mecanical system that works quite the way Shimano DC reels work. They are unique and one of the easiest baitcasting reel to use once you understand the system.

Yes, to much line. It might be rubbing underneath. Also, always be very careful with the first cast with a DC reel. The dynamo has not built up the energy in the DC module and the system does not slow the spool down. Each cast produces the energy to control the next cast. There is no battery to power the module.

Zip Lock bags

I fish the Shad run we have in Canada. It goes from mid May to the third week of June. We have nice large fish from 3 to 6 pounds. They come up the St Lawrence river and go into the tributaries till they hit a dam. Every body uses shad darts. White with red head is the favorite color. It's a different kind of fishing because everybody does the same thing: similar equipment, same lure, same technique, but still some catch twice the fish the others catch.

Like it was said, practice standing up. As targets the best I have found are flat plates in a light color. Your brain identifies them better as targets. White is good and use plastic plates. At first, you will get a loud sound when you hit target and as you get better at breaking the lure the sound will almost disappear. You can begin with 12 inch plates and use smaller plates as you get better. Put them at a distance you feel confortable with.

Really nice video. Very similar to what I saw when I visited Bagkey's in Florida many, many years ago.

You would have to define HAMMER first ! But I like the question so I'll have a go at it. I think most of the ways mentionned will make you a better fisherman, but some don't hold up for me. The bass were my best teachers. Like you I live North and most of the water I fish is very clear. If I want, every day of the season ( yes, we have a closed season) I can go and find visible fish in 4 to 6 feet of water and even deeper. These are not bass on nest, these are free roaming fish. Seeing were they hang out, how they group, how they react to a bait will dramatically shorten the learning curve. From doing that I have learned that the saying 90% of the fish hold in 10% of the water doesn't apply where I fish. There are fish everywhere, more in certain places, less in others. And where there are less fish, more often than not they are bigger. I have also learned the need to concentrate. When you see the strikes, you know that you don't feel more than 50% of them using slow moving baits. Most days, the bass will strike a jig and spit it out and you won't even know it. You've got to be a line watcher. For the other 50% of the strikes , like it was said, fishing for other species will help with that. Crappies in shallow water, walleyes for deep water tactics will help you improve your sensitivity and strike detection. I learned that smallmouth and largemouth are really different species. I learned that precision casting is important. I learned that in rivers, current is important. And I'm still learning. Maybe there is only one way to know if you are really a hammer and that is fishing tournaments. If you do it for a couple of years and, among 100 participants, can stay in the top ten most of the time, that's a good sign.

20 lb

Same here Conquest 100.

I fish rivers mostly and wind does not have as much influence in moving water. I use Ventusky for my information.

You can buy this lead wire in little spools in the fly section of a fishing tackle store. I use the heavy gauge 0,30. I use it to weight my soft jerkbait hooks. It's easier to get an even lay and you can put more wire in certain places to get the right attitude.

Goby

For me bites are not the only indicator of the presence of fish. In the waters I fish regularly, from May to September, in a lot of areas, I can see smallmouth before I catch them. This is shallow water fishing ( 3 to 6 feet). It's like bonefishing on white marl flats. These fish are not on beds. They are free roaming. I've been doing that for 20 years so I was lucky enough to see fish react to a multitude of lures. With experience, when you throw something at the fish and see their reaction, you know immediately if it's going to work. Three or four casts are enough. The most important lesson I learned is that little things matter.

If you are going to do a lot of dropshotting buy a drop shot rod : 6'8'' or 6 10'' ML Extra Fast.

I would first pick 5 right. I've used that colour in real clear water with success where I fish. The perch that frequent the reed fields have a dark back and the bass seem to like that darker tone.

Not a really big difference in price, but I like the Jackall Rerange

I don't back reel and I don't mind not having it. It's much faster just pulling line with your hand to lower the lure than using the switch and backreeling. The anti-reverse port also lets water in when the reel is immersed. Some seem to think that there is no problem putting a reel in water and you even see that on TV. Makes for a lighter reel with one less accessorie. Shimano has some lower priced reels that still have the anti-reverse like the Spirex and Sedona.

Also, you can always slip your hook inside the body of the bait a little lower so the blade has more room to spin

I've got two suggestions. Still Shimano but lower priced. I have the two rods and use both of them for NED. Fishing Ned from shore I like the Curado 7' 6'' L spinning rod. Not too expensive but really sensitive and a gets you the distance you need. For NED on the boat, I use a Zodias 7,2'' ML +. Great tip action but with more beef down below.

Two good reels but if it's for pitching get the Met.

Tarpon- no explanation needed !

A 50$ bill does not work on fish.😀