WRB-2.0

Using larger diameter mono line is the easiest method to change running depth of a crankbait. Buying crank baits that are designed to run shallower is what most anglers do, Tom

You have been looking at buying a bass boat and should know it’s still sellers market. Don’t under evaluate your good condition boat! Tom

Dropping air temps that radically indicates a cold front is passing and that usually is coupled with wind. Cold wind stirs up the water column and that changes the water temps impacting the bass. Cold air alone has a minor affect on the water column temps, only a few inches of surface water. I would fish the 8’ breakline depth to start with if not windy, windy deeper. Tom

There are a lot of definitions to being tencaous. Doggedly stubborn and determined to achieve a goal both come under tenacity. In fishing we tend to say the angler is grinder staying out fishing focused regardless of the conditions. Tom

Smooth Drags. I always back off the drag tension and reset before fishing. Tom

April fools day was my prediction👍 Tom

Stripe bass are continuously being replenished by the aqueduct system and adjusting spawning when seasonal rivers are flowing from rain run off. Castiac is a classic example of Striper survival at the demise of Black Bass both LMB and the lesser Smallmouth populations. Without restocking fresh FLMB the strain will continue its downfall. Tom

I don’t think tenacity is a positive trait as being stubbornly determined to stay the course usually prevents adjusting to the current conditions. I am guilty to trying to force feed bass hair jigs with port trailers with tenacity however I adjusted my locations and didn’t stubbornly stick to what I was doing. Knowing when to hold them or fold them imo is the key to success. Tom

You found 1 male bass guarding his nest doesn’t mean a female will choose this bed site. The pond more then like has several bed sites. Females are individual bass different egg laying schedules. Tom

The saying reels hold line and rods cast lures is still true, The OP’s wish list is too board to solve with one reel. My question is what has the OP selected? DC reels are not backlash proof, only compensate for low skill caster imo. With bait casting reels you need to decide left or right hand casting before buying. Nearly all modern bait caster can perform well with lure weights between 3/16 oz to over 1 oz. 1/8 bait casting required a higher skill to get any distance over 25 yards. Back to it’s the rod that cast lures and the rod needs to be able to cast the lure weights the OP is using and we don’t know that. As far as casting a bobber the Thill weighted Slop bobber can easily cast whatever the OP is using if it weighs 3/16 to 3/8 oz. I agree the Shimano SLX 70 MGL performs very well with the lures the OP wants to use and within his budget, Tom

My hook setting technique using jigs after making a cast between 100’ to 120’ on average is taking line using my reel then a firm rod sweep after the line snug. The reel needs to take up slack and any bow in the line quickly therefore IPT is important. Today’s 100 &70 size casting reels are smaller, lighter with smaller dia and narrower spools that directly impact IPT. The increased gear ratio is important to move line when needed. Tom

I beg to differ. 100 size bait casters with standard spools have increased the gear ratio’s to compensate for the loss of IPT vs legacy larger diameter and wider spool reels. I changed from 6.3:1 ratio reels to 8:1 to off set the 40% loss of IPT after a long cast using .012D line. The BFS shallow spools with small diameter .006D line loose less circumference during the same length cast reducing the IPT change significantly. Something over looked by most anglers. Tom

Same formula works for spinning reels. The difference being spool is fixed and line is wrapped onto the spool via bail. Spinning spool are larger in diameter and narrower compared to casting reels. Since there isn’t a standard to control spool size every mfr is different. Apples vs oranges understanding IPT. Because it’s difficult to know the spooled line diameter before or after a cast the only method is measure how many inches of line is recovered with 1 full 360 degree handle turn. Tom

The Langley Target #340 was my 1st bait caster #330 Lure Cast followed, could cast light weight lures with ease, The Target weighed 4 oz, Lure Cast with level wind was 4 .25 oz. To disengage the 340 handle from the spool you pull out the handle about 3/16” for free spool, push in the engage the handle. No anti reverse they were knuckle busters. The Langley reels date back into the mid 1940’s. Casting rods were heavy and short. Jason Lucas recommended the reels and Connolin Feather Lite rods to me in the 50’s. Pflueger Supreme was high casting reel back in the day, a heavy knuckle buster. Very few bass anglers used spinning reels a few used French made spinning reels with half bails (don’t recall the brand) and Mitchell 300 full bail. The Abu 500 casting red reel was a game changer as it had free spool and anti reverse with the spool engaged. The Ambassador Abu reels would dominate bass reels for 30 years until the low profile Lee’s reel design. Spinning reels out west became popular around 1970 with Abu-Zebco Cardinal reels with rear drag. Tom

Most weekend bass anglers mimic what they see and read pro bass anglers do. When bass are on beds the pro’s target those 100% of the time so why all the hysteria an about sight fishing? Could it be the natural feeling that fishing in a nursery is repulsive? Maybe but the need for a pro to cash a check out weighs ethics and I agree. Back in the 60’s and early 70’s I was a bed fisherman and developed skills to catch big female bass. Caught so many it became as simple as taking advantage of there instinct protect the nest site stopped targeting those big females by sight fishing. Keep in mind our lake are clear water with average depth of light about 15’ and beds in 10’ to 12’ were common where the big girls spawned. I swore targeting bed bass off around 1975. However knowing where big bass like to spawn help tremendously catching them during pre spawn using jigs that replicated crawdads that are egg eating and high protein prey for the giant bass. To each his or her preferences but remember these big girls are very fragile fish so handle them with the care they deserve when procreating the species. Tom

You all got the cold cs warm water flotation backwards; colder water has higher density the warmer water. The floats easier in cold 40-45 degree water the 55-60 degree. Some Owner treble hooks use Zo wire that is lighter weight. I would suggest start with 1 size larger front treble hook and split ring as balance is more important then floatation or suspending. A.Jay has lots of jerk bait tuning hours, listen to him. Tom

Battery trays are removable and usually installed lengthwise. Measure the space and check if the battery trays can be installed sideways for 3. Group 24 & 27 are usually the same width. Cutting the tray ends off negated containing spilled fluids, not an issue with AGM’s. Going Lithium resolves the problem with 3 ea 50AH but pricey! Tom

Try the rigs and worms suggested, you rod/reel and line are well suited for drop and slip shot rigs plus the Ned rig. Tom PS, Slip Shot is a finesse C-rig; 1/8 & 3/16 oz Mojo cylinder weight, Carolina Keeper to adjust weight to hook length and Owner # 5133 or # 4107 hook. Start with the weight about 24” above the hook. Enjoy your bass fishing now before it gets too hot in AZ,

The above rely is spot on. The screen display is 90% history only the far right 1/2” is currently inside your TD signal return cone. At 20’ depth the bottom cone size is about the width of your boat. Concerns are the high gain (power) setting and scroll speed. Notice the current sonar returns are mis shaped, the upper 1/3 or 5’ are very strong (red) the balance are weak. To me this means the water column has bubbles or debris along with faster moving smaller fish. As noted you have interference in verticle lines. Is your unit manual settings or factory default? If manual adjust the gain a tick to remove the clutter and interface lines. If you are idling at walking speed slow down scroll speed a little until the right 1/2” of the screen has sharp images. Bottom line I believe your screen shot indicated debris ghosts from too high gain for the water condition and depth. Tom PS, Fish ID is a term used for fish Icon display.

You are measuring surface water temperature that has little affect on bass in deeper water. Are you a boat or bank angler? Tom

We have a regional forum for western members to ask about there specific location. The salt river chain of lakes are all good bass fishing but shore access is limited I target the marina areas. With your spinning tackle without knowing what you have my suggestion is for us using soft plastic worms rigged drop shot and slip shot. You may need to change the line to a premium mono like Sunline Super Natural 8 lb test. Hooks use sharp Gamakatsu or Owner size 1 drop shot or Mosquito, weedless hooked use size 1/0 worm hook. Suggest Roboworms oxblood lite red flake and MMIII in 4 1/2 & 6” straight and 5 1/2”* curl tails. Drop shot weight and mojo (cylinder in 3/16 0z from shore. This will catch bass everywhere in the west. Simple cast and slowly drag back on the bottom. Welcome to bass fishing and BR. Tom * for slip shot rig

Snagging something during the back cast is a disaster during a long cast that blows up a bait caster. Had a few that couldn’t be saved and cut out down to the spool arbor. Braid is worst for unbelievable birds nest. Tom

Prayers for the Yamamoto family , thank you for sharing🙏🏻 Tom

6# mono? About .009D. Your choice of Rapala Jerk baits requires a shorter rod stronger tip to move it the lure. Yo-Zuri Pims minnow would be a better choice imo. My suggestion for what it’s worth is Dobyns Ultra Finnese with Maxima 5# /.008D Ultra Green copoly line. If you choose braid consider Fins 10# / .004D, Tom

My limited experience using swimbaits for musky the fish grabs the lure like a dog bone sideways rarely getting the line in it’s toothy mouth, Pike however miss big lures as much as 3’ in front of the lure with a jerk or stop and go retrieve bitting off the lure. If the lure floats no problem, sinks it’s gone. If the Pike strikes the lure no problem bitting the lure off. Wire leader if you use a jerk or stop & go retrieve, not needed with steady retrieve. Tom