Marty

Not entirely. All other things being equal, larger spools make for better casting distance and line performance, regardless of what kind of line. Simple physics, for a given distance, a smaller spool will require more line revolutions, thus shortening the cast. Or the corollary, for a given number of revolutions, the smaller spool will yield a shorter cast and a less smooth flowing of the line off the reel.

It's absolutely true that you can use heavier line on a baitcaster and you can buy good reels without breaking the bank. I use spinning only, but I used to use some baitcasting, but just didn't like what I considered their lack of versatility compared to spinning. Using a baitcaster is not rocket science and, in my humble opinion, nobody has to put up with "constant" birdsnesting. Just a small bit of practice, using your thumb and learning to use just two controls on your reel should keep your backlashes to very few.

How many do you want to buy? Stamina (and perhaps others) sells some hooks in packages of 100. http://www.staminainc.com/

RW, I don't understand that one, since spinning reels often bring in more inches of line per handle turn. For example, a Curado 200 with 7.0 ratio brings in 30", while your Stella 2500 with a 5.2 ratio brings in 30" as well. Go to a Sustain of the same size with a 6.0 ratio and that does 35". I used those because Shimano's your brand, but it's typical of many brands. In fact, if fast retrieves were my goal, I'd choose spinning, although I suppose you could duplicate their speed with faster cranking on baitcasters.

I'm afraid that in the not-too-distant future we may be longing for the good old days of $4 gas. :'(

I doubt if lures are the problem. Either there are few bass or you haven't been there at the right times. If I were you, I'd try to fish there at some higher percentage times, like early mornings, late evenings or overcast days and see what happens. I hope it's not the reason, but this may just be lousy bass water, but give it a chance before you move on.

I'd want to use the heavier line because of the cover that bass are usually found in. As to hook for 5" Tiki Stick, I never used one, but I think it's like a Senko and others, so I'd recommend a 4/0 extra-wide-gap. I use small duolock snaps, not swivels, either chrome or black.

You tried quite a variety of lures and I don't think lure selection was the problem. Sounds to me like it was just one of those days. Keep at it and something ought to happen.

My favorite would be "Other" on your poll list, since you didn't include topwaters. But I don't hesitate to use any lure appropriate for the conditions when topwater isn't producing.

I'd definitely contact your DNR, and SOON.

They'll take a variety of artificials. If I was targeting them I'd use crankbaits and grubs on jigheads, obviously downsized from bass lures, even though they often hit large lures.

I feel fortunate that I'm not going to run into any poisonous snakes. But if that were a possibility, I'd wear my 18" rubber boots even more than I do now, which is mainly for wet conditions and very shallow wading.

I can say with confidence, without ever having fished Long Island, that soft plastics in a wide variety of styles, shapes and colors, will work just about everywhere. My personal opinion, backed by personal experience, is that virtually any lure can be a big-bass lure. The trick is getting a lure near a big bass at the right time. And a 4.5# bass ain't too shabby for New York, even in the downstate part. Good luck.

Since you asked about 12+, I'll talk about 10#. ;D But my comment is not size-specific. I've used some on a Daiwa 2500 size reel and it does fine. Now I'm not the most observant guy around, but I haven't noticed anything that warrants its premium price compared to something like, say, Original Stren.

Just start out on your baitcaster with the controls set tightly so you'll minimize casting distance but also minimize backlash chances. As you get used to it, loosen the controls and see how you do. Baitcasting isn't nearly as difficult as some people make it out to be. And for what it's worth, the backlashes I had were not nearly as bad as the spinning reel tangles that happen from time to time.

I can't help, but I wonder if in the past you've caught smallies in the spots you fished yesterday at the same temperature that the lake is at now.

For me it's about 12". Just yesterday I saw a picture of a guy with a 19", but can't remember which forum.

"Affordable" is like beauty, it's in the eye of the beholder. Below is a copy and paste of what I wrote in another thread: "You could go to Cabela's site, type sunglasses into the keyword box, then click on any pair and click on the link to their Buyer's Guide. That guide has a nice section on the various lens tints."

I bought a canoe a year ago. Even though it's a tandem model, it's being used by me only. I can't help myself, but I bring along too much stuff for a kayak. The wide canoe offers stability and offers easy access to all the stuff I bring. This style of canoe is the least paddling efficient, but that wasn't a factor because all the places I go, no fishing area is more than 1/2 mile from the launch. Although I haven't kept count, on a popular county park pond that I fish, I see more kayakers than canoeists.

I'd call the local office of your DNR.

I'd be doubtful of sunglasses helping to see better in murky water with visibility of one foot. You could go to Cabela's site, type sunglasses into the keyword box, then click on any pair and click on the link to their Buyer's Guide. That guide has a nice section on the various lens tints.

I can't help, I'm just curious how you arrived at a decision to get a kayak as opposed to a canoe, which is not to imply that I think there's anything wrong with a kayak.

That may be true, but the current Mrs. Martin is not Scott's mother, but his mother fished also.

I've been using cranks extensively since my first year of fishing and countless brands are effective. I'd start off with a few well-known brands and make sure what you get matches the depth you want to fish. I wouldn't worry much about color. Something light and not too loud, such as shad or bluegill pattern, and something louder, such as firetiger, will do you fine. I have a few brands that I use, but they're no better than many others, so I won't recommend anything specific.

I just pull the line and know from experience what drag I want. I also know that it's approximately 20-25% of the line's rating.