Darren.

Welcome aboard!

welcome, officially.

2/0 is ok, I have some Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap in that size, though it isn't my favorite. My experience has found that 1 and 1/0 are the sweet spots - in my waters, and for my preferred 4" stick worm. Each size hook will affect the fall rate of the worm, at least a little. Oh, and FWIW (and another "in my experience") octopus hooks tend to gut hook more frequently. Though they also stick a little more (i.e., they work!) because the hook is offset from the shank/eye.

No, you can use 1/8 if you want to. Ned prefers using lighter jigs, and many will say the rig works best going lighter...but they make 1/8 and it's usable. I have used it, but prefer to go a little lighter unless really windy. @Team9nine can offer a lot of insight on Ned rigging.

Congrats, man! That's what it's all about. A new PB in the books.

Cool story

Wow! Congrats on the finish! And some really nice smallies!

Found this "alleged" new bait Mike Long was planning on introducing at ICAST this summer at another bass forum on the interwebs...

I no longer use straight mono except when I tie weed guards. Prefer using a copolymer like Yo-Zuri Hybrid as leader for braid mainline. Just how I roll. Go Yanks! Don't follow baseball much anymore, but when I lived in NJ in late 70s and the early 80s, was able to go to several games to see Jackson, Guidry, Randolph, Dent, Gossage, Murcer, Munson (RIP), Tommy John, and the greats. Fun times.

Sadly so. Last I looked him up he was doing car stereo stuff.

Be nice if @Fish Chris were still around to give us his perspective, as well.

Welcome aboard, @FooJet! As to the Historic James, @Sam, that's some fine advice (esp #19 ). I've got relatives in Lynchburg and was there in the Spring walking over the bridge downtown. Couldn't get a good enough look as I wanted with all the fencing they've installed, but what I could see was delicious to the eyes as far as smallie territory. Hope to fish it some time when we're out visiting again.

Welcome aboard! Personally, I'd stick to spinning and enjoy bass fishing first and then branch out into casting, if you want to. As well, I have no experience with either reel you mention, so not much help there. For casting, I prefer Shimano and Daiwa brands. Have Quantum, too, but prefer the others for their salt/fresh capabilities, etc.

?It's the most wonderful tiiiiime of the year?....NOT

I second @A-Jay's suggestion of the articles on the site. Found many very helpful over the years either as a refresh or for a new technique I hadn't tried yet. Avail yourself and enjoy .

Welcome aboard, @Clark1409!

Wow. Just...wow. Watched the entire vid, now reading the article. I've run into at least one guy in the tech world who is like Mike Long. Lies, cheats, swindles way into deals with vaporous hardware/software but made money hand-over-fist in the process, even coming across as genuine...until caught and exposed. Many moons ago... Kudos to the exposé all around. As the Muggles say, "truth will out"!

Welcome aboard!

Congrats!

Ditto. Don't know why I have some in my tackle box still.

Medium fast should be OK. I prefer ML, but also use MF sometimes. Everything else seems fine, too. I use all Z-man products for Nedding. I have experienced what you're experiencing. Some days that's just what happens. I've gotten fish to the side of the yak and can see the TRD is being held on to, but not the hook. Short strikes, etc. I've also had days when bluegill inhale the ned rig and get hooked nicely. Are you using the larger size Ned jigs (bigger hooks?). The smaller ones tend to hook better in my experience. And are you using weedless models?

Welcome aboard! Oftentimes when the going is slow ya gotta slow down some more. Assuming you're on a boat, or are you shore-bound? Would definitely friendly up to some of the locals and get some advice on what works and what doesn't. Wish I could help more. Good luck!

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, Robert! With what you're currently trying (Ned, etc.) have you tried varying your retrieves? Such as with Ned, slowing down, varying how you bring it back like reel, lift rod, stop reeling, let rod tip down, then repeat...and so forth? Other good advice above. Keep on keepin on. You'll get 'em.

Congrats!