WRB-2.0

The bass in Castiac don’t know they should move up with the raising water level like bass do in most lakes. It’s been my experience at Castiac the bass stay suspended under shad schools in cleaner water. When the debris and silt starts to sink and decay the DO levels drop, not a good situation. Wind is your friend (#*&@*) clearing off the points and oxygenates the water column attracting shad and bass, target those areas in lieu of punching debris mats during early pre spawn. Summer mats are good but probably gone by that time. Tom

Is the pond as low water level as the sat photo shows? The Light color bottoms areas are hard, that is where you want to target with jigs. How do you determine where to start fishing! The causeway and narrow opening is spot #1, the light point looks close enough to cast to, the light color bank pocket looks like a water treatment plant next to it, that is #2 spot. Go light weight 1/4 to 3/8 oz FB jig with a creature bait trailer like Zoom Z Hog Jr, black Safire. Bank fishing fan cast the area. Tom

What rod do you plan to use and line type?? Tom

The OP shared his test method and since there isn’t a established test procedure or methods it’s goos enough for comparative data. The rate of pulling force can be controlled using test equipment but the OP used what was available. I suggest using at least 5 test samples of each line. The pull rate should try to duplicate fishing conditions; 2” per second. Braid isn’y Hygroscopic so wet vs dry isn’t a major factor. Fins Braid list both line and knot strength, good reference data. Tom PS, missed Team9 reply and agree.

No reason not to use 20# / .018D Big Game Mono If you prefer .018D mono line. I used 25#/.016D Sunline Diefer Armilo Nylon Mono For swimbaits, wake baits and glides 2 oz to 7 oz. for 5 years without losing any lures. Superior casting distance, stronger knot and abrasion strength then 20 FC or mono line. The 165 yd filler spool fills most 300 size swimbait reels. Tom

Down size your line .011D or less and use FC line. Tom

If you have a pedestal seat and stand while fishing a foot control works good. In a 1436 Jon boat your are better off sitting and using a tiller style TM and reversing the the handle to steer with by hand with on/off switch. Tom

Since I do little shallow water fishing during day time, more at night, a quote from the late Dee Thomas “shallow bass are biting bass” and proved this by introducing Flipping to to bass fishing on his way to the fresh water hall of fame. Tom

Define shallow water; surface to 5’....? Tom

I use Maxima 5# / .008D Ultra Green Copolymer line. Tom

There is standardized test procedure or method to use to evaluate line strength, both tensile break and impact. The rate force is applied needs to be established for example. Measuring Braid diameter needs to use a die gauge or cross section because it isn’t round. Most extruded monofilament line varies in both roundness and diameter every few feet. Quality control is higher and more reliable diameters with line made in Japan. Tom

Any questions you have about the vintage 25 hp Evinrude PM Way2Slow, Keith knows these engines. The basics is replace the Water pump, lower unit grease, check the prop shaft seals. You probably have a 5 gallon gas tank with bulb primer, check that. I believe the gas to oil mixture is 24 to 1 for that era engine? Change the plugs and look at them closely for collation. Tom

We all have different levels of disposable income. If the price is too high pass, if it fits your needs and comfortable with the price buy it. The mom who bought a “toy” for her son should sell it he obviously doesn't need or use it. Let him earn his next purchase. Tom

Very popular black w/blue flake or June bug for weightless wacky rigged at night out west and as a jig trailer in Mexico. Tom

I remember waiting for the BPS Master catalog to arrive for years. That was about 10 years ago before online like TW became a reliable source. What killed BPS for me was the way the Cabelas take over went down. Tom

Bass locate near a food source with dissolved oxygen level that is comfortable and provides sanctuary. Water temps tend to drive seasonal location for the majority of bass but always individual bass that do their on thing. Summer period FLMB can be located in 90 degree water if green plants are providing good DO levels. Tom

Give Don Iovino a call 818/384-9353 Tom

The tall TM manually operated is an advantage and doesn’t hang over the gunnel too far. Tom

The OP has a 16 1/2’ Tracker 165, Where is the 52” TM going to be stowed? Adjusting the shaft height isn’t the issue imo. Don’t need the TM motor any deeper then keeping it from cavitation in waves, shouldn’t be out with big waves windy white caps in the Tracker 165! Tom

Never had that happen with any hand pours ever. Did Josh replace them? Tom

You are right but look who is replacing the productive folks! I am glad I am old and own my property. Being a native Californian I’ve seen all the water projects and reservoirs being constructed and political fighting as a result. SoCal is a desert without water with 30 million people dependent on imported water. Arizona in the dry environment as is Nevada. The climate hasn’t changed the number of defendant people has! The major water projects that created SoCal and Arizona are the Boulder All American Canal in 1949, The Feather River project in 1969 and Mulholland Owens River project in 1909. Without those water supplies we would be undeveloped. Tom

Amazing we have 1 rainy season and the wheels fall off. Flood control is a major issue for the past 150 years, nothing been built the last 50 years and the+population has doubled during that time. Why?......environmental impact, the crazy’s are running the asylum. Tom

Make sure you know what you are doing, watch a few a videos. The average shaft length is 42”. Tom

Major Craft jerk bait / top water/ finesse jigs & T-rigs rod would be Iovino Splash-It 6’8” NAC-T681M/SI, Med 1/4-1/2oz, 6-15# line. Tom Ft

Smell the open mouth....after removing the hook? Tom