Hammer 4

Just checked mine. They do have a Slight amount of wiggle, maybe 1 mm. All of mine cast just fine, despite the wiggle, which doesn't bother me. If yours has way more wiggle than that, maybe exchange it.

Agree with hook sets being free. One thing I've done for years to try and up my hookup ratio is to keep a finger in contact with my line at all times, i.e. from the time the lure hits the water, just have to be very light with the touch on the drop. This may take some practice, but imho, well worth it.

I only use a Palomar for dropshot's, every thing else get tied with a uni knot.

They do. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yamamoto_Double_Tail_Grubs_20pk/descpage-YA4DTG.html

I've been using a real old Qiucksliver backpack made for surfers, big enough that I fit 3 full size boxes, and tons of plastic's and terminal tackle in there plus 2 water bottles. Been hauling that thing around for about 12 years now, with no issues.

Have always used Mattlures Bluegill swimbaits, both weedless and exposed hook types. And as Tom said, they do catch fish.

Very sorry to hear this Andy. Been through the same thing twice. It's like losing a child. RIP Tucker..?

I would upsize the lead blade, imho it's to small.

True, lake is 44 Acers. Use to be they has electric boat rentals, that allowed you to fish the whole lake, nowadays the good spots, if ya wanna call them that are very limited imho. My Son and Grand son fish there often, only cuz they live 5 mins from the lake. They seldom catch anything of size. That's not to say big bass aren't in there, biggest bass I've caught there was a tick under 7 lbs.

Completely agree about Butch being first in line, ect. The guy is an awesome fisherman, about every facet of bass fishing. I use to rib him about being a drywall contractor, as I was a general contractor, he didn't like that too much, so I stopped. One day on the lagoon I was with a friend who use to guide on Isabella, Butch of course was out there, doing his thing, we crossed paths, Butch said he had not even got a nibble, which really surprised us, he then said he resorted to using (cough) live bait that he caught. Even with the live bait, Nada. Was a tough day, as no one caught anything. Still was a nice late spring day, and learned a couple of things that Butch mentioned.

Laguna is a crap shoot imho. But I would try and get your baits as close to any cover if possible, i.e. toolies if they are still there. Can't recall what rbc is..

Which pond in O.C. are you referring to ?

Cool read on yahoo about Butch. https://www.yahoo.com/news/column-one-meet-goat-bass-120030353.html

7'1" spinning, with 8 lb mono or fluro, I prefer mono. No hardware, no weight.

T-rigged or split shot 4 and 6" roboworm.

I had my pin since around 2008, I live 10 blocks from the ocean, so salt air. Anyway it getting so rusty, it looked like dog poo poo, so a few days ago I removed it without issue. What I did was, when I first installed the pin was to give a super light coat of marine grease, makes removal much easier.

I don't huge hands, but I loved my old Shimano Curado 301 E7. I never had a issue with the size of a reel. As was said, either one of those reels will be good.

When I was doing a TON of floattubing , both salt and fresh water, I used rods from 6'8" up to my swimbait rod at 8'. I never wore my pfd, so nothing to hamper the rod length. I would say 6'8" to 6'10" would likely be a good size. BTW, I used both spinning and baitcasting rods. Most of the time my go to rods were 6'10" to 7'.

That is one purdy pup.

Also, there is The Long Fin tackle shop in the area, huge selection of fishing gear.

Got a Fuego and tatula's ranging from 100 to a 300 size, all totalled 5 of them, none have any play in the thumb bars.

Well, we shall see...

I agree. But, Irvine a fast growing place. I can recall all those hills, ect off either side of the 405 frwy, were all full of cattle. Look at it now. Industrial, Commercial, and residential buildings going up all over. So maybe it's not such a poor choice to add a store there.?

There was the pond I use to fish some years ago, well, one day there's a Mama duck swimming along, with 4 little ducklings in tow, they get to almost the middle of this pond, which by the way is in a city park, next thing I see is a big ole swirl, and then there was 3 little ducklings. As has been said, bass will eat just about anything that looks good to them.

As long as the braid was on the reel, and wasn't stored where direct sunlight could hit it, should be fine. Braid last's a loooong time. IMHO, your good to go.