Darren.

Your first issue is the FG knot. It is not easy to tie anywhere but on a stable surface. Not in a boat, no matter what the dude in the video says. Look, people have been using uni-to-uni and Albertos for years without major issues. They are simple, and they work, and I can tie either while sitting in my yak in 20 mph winds being rocked about. I know. I did it the other week. I know there's a religious following for the FG knot. And I get that it is super thin and super strong. But it is not the answer for all of us. *Most* of the time I tie the uni-to-uni these days. I'm also a big fan of the Mod'd Albright/Alberto knot. Practice tying them well and they'll hold for you. Set your drag properly and get your whole system in gear for the fight (i.e., learn to play the bass on the end of your line, drag, rod position, and so on). You can land big bass on light line. As for no leader, that's totally cool. I've caught plenty of fish that way, but once I discovered using a leader saves the number of times I cut into my braided mainline (ok, so I'm married and have four voracious-appetite boys, so $$ doesn't grow on trees for me and I wanna save my braid!!) I never looked back. Again, I can and have caught bass on straight braid as have we all who use braid. I just prefer a leader tied on, and I never worry about the knot breaking... Good luck, mate!

You wouldn't be the first artist to make something more stout in order to keep it from breaking!

Welcome aboard!

I knew it was a tail, Hootie. A thick tail. Prehensile, most likely. Arboreal lion. Good stuff as always.

I read your first question about finding a setup for "big bass", and thought, you can catch big bass on a Barbie rod, The Stradic FK is fantastic, you'll love the 3000. And in terms of line and "enough to hold em"... I use 10 and 15# test braid which is *plenty* strong enough for big bass. I have caught big bass (pb of 7.5# in thick salad with 10lb braid + 10lb leader). My avatar bass is 6.6# and 24.25" long citation bass caught her in a dense bush/stump field with 10# braid + 10# leader on a Stradic 1000. So I think it is a misnomer to think "bigger is better" in terms of gear being able to haul in a fish. It's more in how you play the bass, having your drag set correctly, etc. Just my .02. Again, I think you'll love your setup.

Welcome aboard!

For a second I thought you were asking about the Carbonlite rod series. So I looked, and you mean the casting reel.... No experience with the reels. Rods are excellent.

Interesting! Dick's Sporting Goods carries or used to carry a lot of their lures. Wonder if they will carry these along side their own Field and Stream branded items.

Red label makes a good leader. Just ask @ww2farmer, he likes it. I would say it isn't too light, just tie a solid knot like the uni-to-uni or the Modified Albright/Alberto. Well tied, they won't fail. I use 4-15# leaders on 10# and 15# braid. Wouldn't have a problem with 30# + 10.

Welcome aboard! 0% Pflueger (but respect!) 100% Shimano for me 2 Daiwa used by some of my boys.

A key reason for leader use among those of us who want to save our braided line I have stated such in many threads on the topic of "to leader or not". Straight braid clearly works for many, but for me, I fish a lot of snaggy areas and do not have to lose much braid when I'm snagged thanks to a leader. It just saves braid!®

These are what I use. Love them. My hook up ratio went up after using both EWG and round bend. Not sure why, but O'shaughnessy is my choice. I'd say buy a pack, try them out and see if they work for you. If not, then you can eliminate them from your list of "gotta have" hooks .

Well done! Congrats!

I, too, normally use backing, but I haven't been of late since I bought (last year) a great deal on a 1500 yard spool of 15# Power Pro Super Slick 8. Given the 165 yard spool, definitely use backing on it. Are you hoping to use the spool on more than one reel? And I'm also using smaller spooled-reels, 1000 size Shimanos....

I found the drop shot at a pond just like you describe was moderately successful. The scum on the bottom will inevitably make its way to the worm, LOL. Using a baitcaster you'd want a heavier weight, and like @Crestliner2008 said, the pencil/cylinder weights are great for this. But if your Gremlin works, there ya go. Leader length. I don't change length for bank fishing. And btw, are you talking inches? You use the full quote symbol (") which signifies inches of your leader so a 4-6" leader leaves me scratching my head. Just clarifying... So for me, I would say 4-6' is fine. But there's no reason not to try a longer leader. 15# leader is definitely heavy for DS, but use what ya gots. Been where you are with determining what you can/can't do with a baitcaster. I was able to replicate almost all of my spinning use, but ended up back with spinning (mainly) because it was simply less fuss than a BC.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard @jonny m! As @NCbassraider said, they work in all temps. Slower in colder, and patience is key. When you think you are slow enough, slow down more.

Perfect for throwing wacky rigs... But you already knew that

Welcome aboard, Jake!

Welcome aboard!

Very cool!

Welcome to the forums!

Welcome aboard, Jeff!

We know it is here in SE VA because the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, our cars are about to turn yellow with pollen. And I actually beat out a bald eagle for a 1.21# bass this past week. No, wasn't a real competition, but he flew over me at about 40 feet, give or take, and landed in a tree to watch this here amateur try and catch bass. I sure showed him.

I have only held Sustains, I own 4 Stradics, one FK, one FJ, and two FI -- all 1000 size. Take that back, I gave a 2500 FJ to one of my sons, so we have 5 Stradics in the house. I have read reviews and evaluations that the Stradic, among the Shimano upper echelon, is the "best bang for the buck". Sustains are smooth, but some have said they are not worth the extra $$ for what you get with the Stradic. So take that for what it's worth....