Marty

Comparing your spinning and baitcasting might not be apples to apples because of different lures and techniques used on one but not the other. I never had the need for anything stronger than 10# mono or 15# braid, but I've been reading for 40+ years about the heavy line used by pros and other tournament fishermen, so heavy line doesn't seem to deter strikes. Maybe all other things being equal a lighter line might catch more than a heavier line using the same lure, but that's just speculation and would be very hard to prove.

I can also say good things about the Pflueger President.

I don't know anything about the waters in CNY, but I can say from lots of personal experience that the fishing in the canal is not consistent. It wouldn't be my first choice, but you can't safely rule out one section of it based on another section 150 miles away.

I used that stuff once or twice but since then they've switched to Gatorade mixed with Miralax powder. GoLytely is Putrid stuff and the most inapt product name I've ever heard of.

Harmless stuff, other than this: Does smokeless tobacco cause cancer? Yes. Smokeless tobacco causes oral cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer (1). Does smokeless tobacco cause other diseases? Yes. Using smokeless tobacco may also cause heart disease, gum disease, and oral lesions other than cancer, such as leukoplakia (precancerous white patches in the mouth) (1). http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/smokeless

Many boatless anglers do well with bass, although most fish from the banks of ponds or lakes as opposed to docks. My personal best is from the shore of a small pond. I would start by using faster-moving search baits to see if there are active fish near the dock. I'm talking lures like topwaters, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. After that, switch to slower baits like jigs and soft plastics and work each area more thoroughly. You should learn after a while if those docks are worth your while. I'd also try and find other waters that can be fished from shore. Good luck.

As others have said, expecting a fish within three casts is not realistic. Maybe I'm wrong, but it sounds like like you're not fully committed to those other lures. But if you are, then follow previous advice and leave the minnows at home. If you use the lures in spots you know to be productive, you will catch fish and gain confidence. And your retrieves and techniques don't have to be perfect; fish don't demand perfection. Good luck. You can do it if you commit yourself to it.

No offense taken, no apology needed.

I've been through that three times with three different preparation methods, but whichever it was, the stuff is the most putrid junk I've ever drank. On a more serious note, everyone should get tested in accordance with the guidelines. In two out of the three procedures I've had, a pre-cancerous polyp was removed, so without the test I'd have contracted colon cancer.

I do. It might affect some lures, but not all. For example, buzzbaits and Jitterbugs, my favorite topwaters. Just reel steadily and the Jitterbug's lip gurgles from side to side and the buzzbait's blade churns through the water. There is not a noticeable difference in the action of those lures.

I never heard of the cranks, but I've known the Baker name for years for some of their accessories such as Hookout and Mouth Spreader.

Is that an exaggeration, 10 feet? Your lure and sinker weigh ~1/2 oz. and a cast that short seems almost impossible. As others have said, get that spool filled to within 1/8" and see what happens. Switching from 10# to 8# line will make no difference if everything else stays the same.

I'm also careless about maintenance and generally oil and lube when it starts to squeak and get annoying. I also buy fairly inexpensive equipment so maintenance seems less critical.

They'll catch fish. Other cheap spinnerbaits work and there's no reason why these won't too. However, you may find they don't hold up as well as other brands. I love this range of prices: Online $0.90- $0.91

I generally don't fish Honeoye except in the spring. It has the most bass per acre of the 11 Finger Lakes. It is known for large numbers of smaller bass, but there are some big ones in there too. I've heard in the summer that they can be anywhere around the perimeter of the lake at the outside weed edges. Whatever you do this year, try and get there in the spring next year for some potentially fast fishing and the chance to get a big one. Changing the subject, I see you're from Palmyra. If you fish Widewaters, would you let me know what's happening there, either via post or PM? Thanks.

Since lipless crankbaits are sinking lures, different sizes will get to the same depth, they'll just take different amounts of time to get there. They're very versatile and you're limited only by your imagination. You can burn them, use a lift and drop, tick the weeds and do other things. Just do some experimenting and discover the ways that you enjoy fishing them and which ways work for you.

To the best of my knowledge, there are no industry standards for hook sizes.

Another vote for cold turkey. It took me a few tries, but I finally made it. I had to get by numerous obstacles. Like no smoking the first time in league bowling, or fishing, or at a party, or after sex, and other events associated with smoking. I didn't try to avoid smokers because I knew I couldn't always avoid them I don't know about others, but I had to keep away from cigarettes 100%. If I took as much as one puff I'd be back to full-time smoking within days. Good luck. It is said the #1 thing you can do for your health is to quit smoking.

It's not just fishing. I encounter loose dogs in all the parks I visit, despite leash laws. Fortunately, just about all the loose dogs are not dangerous, but it bothers me that people are so dismissive of these regulations.

It's not just the size of the picture. That individual fish's colors are somewhat muted.

I used to park on the road, but it was illegal then. I don't know about now.

An average pike in New York of 26" would weigh about 3-3/4#.

I've always been a fan of Rapala products. I've had success with Rallting Raps, but am not familiar with the Rippin'. But from just looking at it, I can't see a reason why they shouldn't catch fish. Have you alternated lipless crankbaits in the same place to compare one against the other?

You can't go wrong using replacement hooks of the same size as the original. I've used numerous brands that are very good. Such as Owner, Gamakatsu, VMC, Mustad, Lazer Sharp, etc.

As I just posted in another thread, I wouldn't trust any filament with pike, whether it's mono, fluoro or braid. Another poster said in that thread that if you can cut it with a knife, a pike can cut it with its teeth. I've always used steel leaders. Whether they have any effect or not, I don't know, but the important thing for me is that I have confidence when using them.