Scott F

That looks like a transducer for an old depth finder.

The hard part isn't picking the right bait. The hardest part is figuring out where to throw it.

It's all pretty much trial and error. Pick one. If the bass don't want it, try a different one.

I voted based on the title. I didn’t see that it was for a kayak until after I voted for the front. But having said that, if I were to ever buy a kayak (highly unlikely) I would buy one of the newer models where the trolling motor installs where the foot pedals normally sit. So that might be called the middle of the boat.

If you use Elaztech plastics, they won’t stay on the jig over the molded in collar. You need the wire keeper to hold Elaztech.

As far as I'm concerned, balance wasn't a problem back in the day, and it's not a problem for me with modern equipment today.

^^^^^ This ^^^^

I can't speak about Cook county. Several years ago, As a representative of the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance, I had a meeting with then president of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, Brent Manning about this very subject. At the time, wading in the DuPage county waters was not legal. The result of the meeting was that wading would be allowed in the DuPage River, (that has a good population of smallmouth) but not in the lakes. Wading in ponds and lakes is dangerous due to sudden drop offs into deep water and as far as I know is still prohibited in DuPage County.

Minn Kota Terrova has a low profile foot pedal, spot lock, and a remote. A lot more pricey than the PD model.

These are four tiny baits that have accounted for many, many bass. On top is a Rapala Mini Fatrap, clockwise, Is a Mini Tad Polley, a Bill Norman Tiny N, and a Yo-Zuri Snap Bean. They measure between 1.25 and 1.75 inches.

Bass generally DO hit lures that small. Ask anybody who fishes Ned rigs. I spent a whole summer fishing mostly very small baits, most smaller than those you pictured. I caught some pretty big smallies along with pike and walleyes on tiny baits. The biggest problem you'll have is casting distance. I used 6-8 pound braid on a long spinning rod. Braid, being so much thinner than mono, will let you cast the lures much better.

I open them and throw away the packaging as soon as I get them home. I then store them in Plano utility boxes.

After watching the pros fish on MLF, I noticed that almost none of them use left handed baitcasters. I'm sure some must, but I haven't seen one yet. All of them cast with the right hand, move the rod to the left, and reel with the right. Considering that many anglers emulate what the pros do, it's a bit surprising to see how many here reel with the left hand. BTW, I use both, left and right hand baitcast reels.

It’s ok, to use heavier line. That number on the reel just shows how much line will fit. But, don’t believe that fluorocarbon line doesn’t stretch. That, is a myth.

My Promariner 2 bank charger quit working about a year and a half after I bought it.

Batteries or charger are shot.

I’ve been taking fish pictures for over 50 years, until I saw fish pictures online, it never occurred to me to hold a fish at arms length to make it look bigger in the photo.

If you are a spin or baitcast guy, try picking up a fly rod for the first time. That takes some time to learn not to mention master.

If you want to test the accuracy of a scale, use a package of meat you bought at the grocery store. It was weighed on a certified scale including the packaging. A dumbbell isn’t necessarily exactly the weight that is stamped on it. Same thing with a bag of sugar or coffee. They may be close enough to the weight on the bag for you, but there is no guarantee it is exactly 5 pounds.

That spool is over filled. You will have problems. You should take some line off before you use it.

Who warranties their products for user mistakes?

If you don’t want to pull cranks out of a fishes mouth, don’t horse the fish in. Loosen your drag some. You can keep tension without tearing the hooks out even with no stretch lines

If you want to showcase the fish, stand closer to the camera. You don’t have to stand back and push the fish closer.

Throughout the summer, I fish nothing but rocky rivers, but never from shore. 2 things, first, if you use lighter braid, you can break off the lure without losing almost any line at all. Second, if you are getting hung up that often, you need to change what you are doing. How many casts do you lose while you are trying to get unsnagged and then retieing? How much is it costing you in lures? There are plenty of ways to catch bass that don’t require you dragging the bottom where you are getting hung up. Plenty of baits that don’t get hung up too.

I agree except for the natural colors. One of my best smallmouth lures in clear water is a clown colored X-rap.