Darren.

Wife and I got our eldest son a DNA kit for Xmas, but he's not done it yet. We both want to get one done as well. I know from my Mom's sleuthing (rest her soul) that I have Irish, English, German, Bohemian/Czech. Percentages, no idea.

I wouldn't be one to try that out, sorry I prefer my hook perpendicular to the bait, and for weedless, I either make my own, or buy wacky-specific in weighted jigs. As well, the bullet would work, but is large and I'd think would be counter productive to the action a smaller, rounder weight would allow. This is just me. I'm all for people trying new stuff, new ideas and experimentation!

Welcome aboard! You're on the BEST bass fishing forum anywhere!!

I use 1000 size Stradics and braid + leader for everything. Braid, in my case, Power Pro Regular and Super Slick 8, completely eliminates line management issues. I get zero coiling and very long, smooth casting (esp with SS8). Personally, I wouldn't use straight fluoro, but I love it as a leader. When I did use non-braid lines, line management was an issue, even down to 4# and 6# test. On a 2500 you want to use a limp fluoro.

Welcome aboard! You'll get some help here. Some great reel mechs and experts.

Can't help you with that, but welcome to the forums!

LOL, I almost said that very thing - clear baits.

The latest headline: Bass Pro Shop's $5.5 Billion Deal for Cabela's Inc Is Falling Apart A regulatory morass could sink the tie-up between the sporting goods giants. https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/02/08/bass-pro-shops-55-billion-deal-for-cabelas-inc-is.aspx?source=isesitlnk0000001&mrr=0.25

Bought reels off eBay as well. No problems with any. I always look for sellers with ratings of 99.7% or higher and have never had issues. And then, as mentioned, PayPal has some assurances with purchase protection.

The Pro Q is NOT with trade-in. And it is limited to quantities on hand... And unless specified, you can get any reel at a discount after trade-in.

That's it, I'm throwing black from now on. It's the combination of ALL colors, so should work all the time!! Just kidding. Good writeup, @Catt. Something to think about (and @WRB)...

Happy Day!

You'll get plenty of help here. Welcome aboard!

Very nice, Hootie!

I didn't mind any of the commercials...political or otherwise.... But definitely one of the lamest group of ads in recent SB memory as far as I'm concerned. I wanted Dorito commercials!!! Darth Vader kid and the auto-starting Volkswagen!! Man, nothing!

Niiiice worms...

That's a negative. Got a link/pic? They sound great.

Congrats! Healthy bass!

It's just a phrase for a long-distance cast, just like "in a New York minute" means super fast... But yeah, I know what you mean. So many people use it on the web in fishing forums...

I learned that sometimes it matters, other times it doesn't. How's that for a non-committal answer? I've been out on days the barometric pressure readings said you won't catch a single bass -- but I slayed them. And other days when it said I should absolutely haul them in, I didn't. Color? I've settled on "natural" colors like blacks, watermelons, green pumpkins and variants. They've all been great colors at most times. As far as "match the hatch" ... well, I guess I don't always do that extremely well.

Welcome aboard, Bucky, and thanks for your service!

For TX rigging roboworms (which I've not had a lot of success on, to be truthful), I've used Gamakatsu #1 EWG, #1/0, #2 O'Shaughnessy bend.

Welcome aboard! Carp do indeed make noise. I was fishing a pond where a couple carp were locked wrestling in a mating ritual. Lots of splashes (not saying that's what you were seeing, just saying they're noisy). Usually when a bass breaks the surface it is after baitfish, at least in my experience...

You're opening a can 'o worms here, ya know! You can use spinning for everything if you want. Period. May or may not be the best tool for the job, but you can. That should really end the debate, but it won't. There's an FLW Pro who uses nothing but spinning.... https://www.flwfishing.com/tips/2014-04-22-going-big-with-a-spinning-rod

Welcome aboard, Doug!