WRB-2.0

Sunline Defier Armilo is a premium superior mono. 22# Armilo is the same diameter as 15# Big Game, .015D. Tom

Basically 3 types of PVC cement; standard clear, fast setting and standard plus a primer to make up a fast setting. The standard clear would be what the OP used. The problem is shelf life, exposed to air kicks off the catalyst to set the cement. A small tube is more practical for anglers. Tom PS, a good option is CoBra Marine Pro worm Welder that Iovino developed.

Edit your title! Live Scope is a trade name. Forward Scanning Sonar is a type of scanning sonar vs 360 degree or side scanning sonar. The big difference is “live” vs displayed images that tradition sonar displays scrolling across the screen are a history not real time. Live doesn’t scan it’s stationary and user can point it directional to look at a specific area. Combined with scanning sonar the operate knows where to point the “live” imaging. Tom

There is also a micro switch needed on the neutral shift lever to allow the electric start motor to engage the flywheel. You don’t want to start the engine in gear, but can with the pull start. Tom

When the Drop shot rig 1st introduced in SoCal it was called Down Shot when using a single hook and stacking using 2 or 3 hooks. The hook was tied directly on the line, not on short dropper leaders. My belief is the OP wants to use short leader to reduce toothy fish biting off line. Tom

Where in the current breaks are the bass located? It depends on how deep and fast the current is and what the primary prey source is. Prey being floating or moving near the surface like terrestrial insects the bass are looking up. Prey that bottom oriented like crawdads and big insect larvae like hellgrammites the bass are hunting near the bottom. Again LMB are located differently than Smallmouth and must factor that into you presentations. In- Fisherman did a excellent study report on fishing Rivers! Tom

1st things 1st. Learn to tie loop knots for fishing. The 3 basics are the “Perfection Loop”, the Surgeon knot and Lefty Kreh knot or non-Slip knot. Surgeon is the easiest. What I believe you are trying to do is create a dropper loop rig, commonly used for deep rock cod fishing. If you make up 4” long leader with a loop on one and the drop shot hook on the other end to attached simple put the loop to loop ends together. Put one loop over the other, the hook through the first loop and pull. To take apart push the apart and reverse the hook end. The issue is most states have fresh water regulations limiting the number of hooks you can use. Leader knots are another choice; Double Uni knot, Blood knot, Lefty Kreh leader knot and Alberto knot. Blood knot is the easiest. Go online and look at videos on tying the above suggested knots. Tom

Welcome to BR. Where are you located, this information helps us a lot. How do you know that noisy lures spook the bass? maybe you are seeing carp or catfish pressure waves from spooked fish, water clarity is too poor to see fish. Tom

True Ambassador of the bass fishing sport! Bill is older then I am?. Tom

Bargains are usually a waste of money. The exceptions are last years good fishing products being closed out for this years latest and greatest. Go back and read reviews on the products of interest. Shore a longer rod requires more casting space. A well balanced 7’ 3” crank bait rod with a good casting reel is a good choice. You are the caster not the rod and reel. Tom

Take a look at Albacore fishing back packs. Tom

Solid body “frogs” are toads!

If you can release the bass immediately and help the bass return back down then yes don’t needle them. Tom

1 oz Scrounger jig runs that deep with a 6” Sluugo for a trailer. your line is what creates lift so use the smallest diameter you can get away with, under .011D. Tom PS, you will need a bladder needle.

What size Mini jig? 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 or 1/4 oz? Tom

I remember walking into the tackle shop meeting the group for lunch back in the early 90’s and they were camped around a new reel from Daiwa HTIA103 & shallow spool 105. The guys were taking turns spinning the free spool and timing how long it could spin. Game changer, we all ordered the reels. I fished these reels for well over 15 years until the 8:1 Tatula came out. The Tatula didn’t cast any further and wider, heavier but the higher gear ratio pick up line (IPT) faster after making a long cast. I agree with the Core 50 being one of the top reels for Shimano and Daiwa Sol and original TD Fuego reels are also excellent compact casting reels. Lots to choose from. Tom

A misconception is LMB air bladder doesn’t allow the fish to change depth from deep (over 30’) quickly, it’s over 24 hrs to adjust the gas in the bladder. This is one reason the bass simple move out over comfortable water to rest by suspending like a astronaut floating in zero gravity. It’s easier for bass to go deeper as the air bladder compresses, all the fish needs to do is swim. Expanded air bladder pushes the stomach into the throat preventing the fish from eating. Tom

Anytime a post what is the “best” everything following is subjective so I usually avoid getting involved adding my own opinions. With ICAST 2023 in process it will be interesting to see the reviews on new bait casting reels coming out. Down sizing and weight reduction and drive train smoothness appears to be what is driving today’s reels, all good. Daiwa has limited how small their bait casting reels can be with a TW level wind taking up extra 1/2” width reducing the spool size. Best......sit back Tom

Berkley’s new Power Bait CullShad is 1 1/2 oz, 6” swimbait. Currently 1st gen being recalled the 2nd release should be worth risking your free money on. Tom

Decades ago I was on a charter boat fishing for tuna and the deck hand put the spool of line in the bait tank wells to hold the wet spool. The water kept the spool with a little tension and wet the line at the same time. Simple trick and I have used a Live well with water since. At home I use a plastic bucket with a dowel in the water and use my fingers to apply a little line tension. The dowel keeps the narrow filler spool from flipping over. Tom

You could look back over the years on this site when targeting outside structure bass was relatively untapped by shore pounding anglers. Look over your shoulder the bass are out there was a suggestion made several times. Good to read that you had a great day on the water? Tom

Hand pour finesse worms were created for SoCal lakes with finicky Florida strain LMB. If there wasn’t a need and demand for specialized soft plastics they wouldn’t exist. How many bass before you realize it’s a specific worm and color, me catching zero and partner catching a limit. Tournaments are won or lost out west when the bass are on a specific color/flake soft plastic. Lakes with Northern strain LMB nearly anything works, they are a very aggressive bass, Florida’s in our lakes are extremely color specific. Tom

You become a believer when the bass will only eat a specific worm and color. How do you know? Easy your partner is catching them and you can’t buy a bit until your partner hands you a few and instant bit. At this time you start repairing/welding the few you have. Can’t tell you how many times this has happened over the years. Yes, there are days it doesn’t matter but they far and where I bass fish. Tom

50 casts is the average life expectancy for most of my bass jigs. 50 fish is more like catching crappie then bass. If the hook eye is rusted it’s toast toss it! Tom

The problem is the bass change color preference and they will not tell us why! In the morning they eating green pumpkin red/ black flake and in the afternoon they only want cinnamon blue flake....why? Tom