Michigander

If you're wanting a spinning setup, a medium for wacky worms, tubes, and finesse jigs would be useful. I don't know your water, but if you're fishing tournaments you'll probably want to have at least a Heavy for pitching soft plastics into thick cover. I got owned quite a few times trying to do that with a MH. Losing a big fish during a tournament because you don't have the appropriate gear really stings. You can get a Heavy bait caster which is the norm (and my preferred) but my heavy spinning served faithfully for years before I switched over due to the weight of the combo becoming too much for me to enjoy using it all day.

I don't bother with trebles anymore. Between getting hung up in vegetation/sticks and the fact that they seem to get stuck on my clothes, other rods, boat carpet, etc it's not worth the hassle to me. I replaced mine with inline singles and won't look back.

I use regular Invisex as a leader most of the time and it works fine. Actual leader material is better but not necessary.

Yeah, it was 47 today, felt like shorts weather. Went and sat in the boat for a couple hours and made a list of parts and maintenance tasks. Was quite enjoyable.

Its got those bulging trophy eyes.

That sounds way smarter than me just forcing the bail open!

That's the kind of places I love getting to in the kayak. Last year I was fishing in a forest that was flooded with 3 feet of water, it was an awesome experience. My range in the kayak is usually 3-5 miles but I've done ten or so a couple times. I try to launch as close to the place I want to fish as possible. Not sure if I'll ever get a motor on mine, as I like the exercise. ?

My tourney partner and I often have events like this. We'll both be throwing the exact same thing but only one of us is filling the livewell. On such days, we just accept that our contribution to the team will be being an enthusiastic net-boy/chauffeur. LoL

Drop shot for me. I know it's a technique I need in my arsenal, but I have not really committed to learning it in the past. I'm hoping that this year will be a good opportunity.

I'm not 100% either but I will find out when it gets here. Many of the rear grips advertise that they fit standard 16 and 17 size reel seats so I should be ok. The size 17 may explain the need for an insert.

I think Light is a third option, it's a reddish color if I remember correctly.

I fish in the cold for part of the year and have found Cal's Light to have excellent performance for me in all temperatures.

Freak swim jig with a 4" Exoswim is one of my best producers.

I was really digging the green pumpkin baits that had the blue or purple shimmer to them last year. Will definitely be rebuying some of those!

Yes.

The only thing I get from BPS is the bulk bags of the Stik-Os. I don't toss Senko-baits much anymore so even this is not enough to draw me in anymore.

Yep, just hook the garden hose up and let the fresh water do its thing. Never had need for anything else.

Agree on the weak hookset, but I don't have the ability to analyze your hook. If you're looking for full critique, the way you manauvered your rod was poor, if you watch the video, you can see where you pumped the rod and gave a lack of pressure to the fish.

There are much cheaper alternatives if DIY isn't your thing. https://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Fishing-Company-Spinners-Hitchhikers/dp/B072XY5XWD/ref=asc_df_B072XY5XWD/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312125955110&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1796574829457482362&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017263&hvtargid=pla-569472814734&psc=1

Better to think about it as people are paying $5-$8 apiece, lol.

I use winter as a rest season and to redirect my energies to other things that get neglected by fishing.

I think that a traditional winter spring cycle is better for their ecosystem. I've been told that the melted snow running into the lake as the weather warms is important.

I have no actual data but I look forward to harsh winters as the fishing in spring and summer tends to be better than a year with a mild winter.

Depending on the size of gaps, a gel super glue might work, but I assume the OP has significant gaps. Super glue and baking soda is a solution to this though.

I said "try". LoL