Reel

Line is OK Hook is OK No palomar knot - I prefer to snell the drop shot hook. Keeps it straight and does not break Tag - Like a lot said, much shorter: 12 inches. Gobies are eaten here and the don't stray much from the bottom. Also tie the tungsten sinker if you don't want to loose a fortune when smallmouths jump.

Same here. Gliss is a very delicate line. For me not the best overall but good for distance with no bottom contact.

The longest distance I've gotten with spinning tackle and light baits is using a long rod (7 1/2 feet) and ultra-thin lines like Gliss, Power Pro Slick V2 and Xplasma Asegai in 10 pound test.

Will you be using spnning tackle or baitcasting tackle ?

Ned Rig ... light and by light I mean 1/10 to 1/16 oz.

I go to the first weedline next to a spawning area.

Same here: I've caught a lot of other species while bass fishing. a few of them are walleye, stripers, pike and musky, some trout, even a few salmons, channel catfish, drum and the list goes on...

Learn to wait ! Throw a lure where you think the fish are or where you saw them and wait a few seconds. Something coming up from the bottom instead of down from the surface works well in clear water.

I use what is indicated on the spool. Like for a Vanford 2500, the spool says 150 yards/meters of 0,25 dia. line. That means that 50 yards of 8 pound mono backing (that has a diameter of 0,25) and 100 yards of 20 pound braid will about fill it. With deep reels like a 3000, I use more mono backing I don't want to use more than about 100 yards of braid on a reel.

I fish ultra-clear water ( 30 foot visibility ) and use yellow Power Pro V2 along with a fluoro leader. I don't think the fish mind the color but I like it. Power Pro floats and as you said the braid acts like a bobber with the slightest movement telling you that a fish took your bait. Most times I use 10 or 15 pound test with a leader ( 8 pound) the lenght of the rod.

I stay with Power Pro.

Another votre for the SLX. I've got three of them.

When a bail is difficult to close or seems to stick midway, it is usually because the wire is out of round. A couple of hits on the wire in the boat or in the trunk of a car can do that. If you put the index finger of each hand almost where the bail wire is fixed in place and pull gently on each side, you can return bail to it's original form and, in general, solve the problem.

Shimano SLX

If you don't like the DC take a look at the SLX ST. I have one and I really like it.

They are just beginning I think and no, size doesn't matter.

Why save a couple of bucks, go for the Vanquish !!!

The stone does a good job but I find that it's difficult to keep a good grip on it because it's small. I prefer a diamond file like Dr. Slick. The handle is bigger and the rubber/plastic coating makes it easy to hold. Just a couple of passes and you're good to go.

There are exceptions. A spybait is an horizontal presentation that works under tough conditions. I also consider a weightless senko an horizontal presentation.

Most of the time the smallmouth where I fish are a little deeper ) 3 to 5 feet of crystal clear water. Almost all of them are big .. 3 to 5 pounds (and bigger) and group in larger packs from 4 to 8 or 9 individuals. The will follow an eel as it ondulates on the bottom and feed.. mostly on gobies and craws. I have seen groups as big as 20 to 25 fish ambushing perch in a bay. The bottom is white marl so they are fairly easy to see for someone looking for them. They were easy to catch 20 years ago but they are getting really difficult to catch these days. There are techniques that will make them bite but you have to work at it.

I fish the St-Lawrence river and you can always find smallmouth in the shallows (less than 6 feet of water) and you can see them... big fish ! There are also some that are deeper but they like to hang out in groups in shallow 70 degree water.

In the Senko = Texas rig Out and reinserted in the back= Texposed

By tension knob, you mean the knob that is on the same side has the handle. This knob is difficults to put back on because it is so close to the handle. If you took it off completely for a lube, it might have been put on croocked. This is easy to do. The plastic tool is the answer. Make sure you do it slowly and use your fingers around the knob to keep it straight. Good luck.

Yes, i've caught some smallmouth on floating frogs ( Jackall Kiera mostly) but it's not a regular thing.

If the ring is not broken, you can push it back in a put a tiny drop of something like Crazy glue.