Darren.

Well then, we'll have to hit NNPK and you can teach how it will rain bass there!! LOL. Every time I have Lee Hall figured out, it just decides, "well dang it, we'll have to do better next time" and tells all the bass to shut their mouths. I haven't tried your Rapala yellow perch, tho. I'm one who has better luck on the softies, jig, and spinnerbait there. Tho I *rarely* have a skunk on Lee Hall, I don't always catch a bass to defeat the skunk, either. Usually a pickerel helps out there.

Welcome aboard! Wow, $60 each?! Great buy, IMO. Don't use the Crucials, but I've eyed them in-store, handled them a lot. Like the feel, balance, prefer the older cork models, though...

It's ridiculously strong for its line rating, so no worries. And I believe it's neutrally buoyant, fine for topwater. If left on the surface, it'll float. Break surface tension and it'll sloooowly drop.

I like the "stradivarius" FK reels a whole lot I'd say your 6'10" setup would work just fine with the 3000, though for DS, personally, that is an oversized reel. Again, just me as I'm a 1000 "Stradivarius" guy

I will indeed consider adding this to my finesse repertoire. Thanks for the tip. Now how to sneak the stuff past my wife....

I have a number of long poles (fiberglass and one graphite) that go from 10' to 20' in length. Some of the best (most fun) fishing I've ever had. As far as frugal, though, I spent some $$ on my graphite pole and it has paid off in spades.

Dadgum! One of these days I'll stumble on Wally World deals like that!

Thumbs up! And yeah, pix, mate!

I happened upon some TRDs at Dick's this weekend. But I checked for some proper jig heads to fish them on before I bought. Sadly, there were none, so I didn't drop the TRDs in my cart Another day.

You absolutely did the right thing. Had a similar experience when a buddy and I were fishing some docks when a kid and his (presumably) g'pa decided we weren't worthy to fish the spot. They threw at my kayak. I had some choice words like "Seriously?! Can you not see I was here first?" He mumbled in reply...short story. I think I even posted about it here. The elderly man did nothing to correct his idiot grandson of his utter stupidity. Fortunately I caught a (IIRC) 3 or 3.5# bass right in front of them! Then I made plenty of noise with my paddles as I got out of "their" spot. But I've encountered more good-natured folks on the water than trash like that, thankfully.

Now I have done this while out fishing. But I had earplugs in!!

Kid's got game on the mat and in the boat!

Can't help you with White Lake in Texas, but I've can help with White Lake in North Carolina! Welcome to the forums!

I've used 'em, still have one, but it's got a busted guide. They are great for ultra light, well, great is a relative term here. I like them for live bait presentations where sensitivity is not a concern. Here in VA, some guides keep them on boats for guests to use. Not a lot of $$ lost if they get trashed, but that's not easy to do.

Yep. I've used it, but the jury is still out for me. Have not used it a lot as it's still relatively new for me. There's also the drop shot knot where the only knot is the one to tie on the weight. Gary Senft is the inventor, I believe. In that one, you slip one bobber stopper up the line, then your hook (no knot), then one or two bobber stoppers under the hook. Set the hook as you normally would, and it will slide all the way to the weight... I *may* try it, but I'm confident in the palomar, and semi-confident in the drop shot knot as described in the video. EDIT: part of the allure is you can set the bobber stoppers at any depth w/o retying your hook. As well, the hook freely rotates around the line. But if you prefer a normal drop shot you can get swivel hooks.

Clearly they've been going fast. They had every size the other day...

Yup! http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-stradic-fk-spinning-reels.html

I use braid + leader (currently) in 6, 8, and 10# test. Gamma Edge fluoro, FWIW. Gamakatsu split shot/drop shot hooks are preferred. I make my own weedless (which is needed most of the time).

Not got one yet, but considering buying Keel Ezy in the near future to protect my yak....

Don't think it is so much generational as it is simply that some of us don't do music on the water. I know plenty from my generation that crank the tunes...thankfully they aren't where I fish!

Welcome aboard!

Huge cat! Fantastic accomplishment for the kiddo! Not to mention his other 100 pound Panamanian sailfish he caught. Little Larry Dahlberg in the making!

Ben, the link to the reels is here: http://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/shimano-stradic-fk-spinning-reels.html And a ML rod with an XF (extra fast) tip is perfect for smallie fishing, same with large mouth, IMO. Here's a chart at St. Croix. A ML (med light) St. Croix is closer to some rod makers M (medium) power.

When you say "heavy-ish", I'm assuming you are not referring to the rod power? I go with MLXF and M for most of my bass fishing. ML for smallies. As far as quality rods, BPS Carbonlite, St. Croix Premier, and many others. I'd look for ML or M power. The Shimano Stradic FK in a 1000 or 2500 size (1000 for me) can be had for $139. Hard to find a better reel for the price. Quality is top notch.

It'll be nice with the new parts!