mjseverson24

If it is a picture fish and we used the net, it stays in the net in the water (its a deep basket net) I unhook it over the side in the water, and take the fish out only to get the picture and then it gets released, if I dont use a net i hold the fish in the water until it is picture time... I also never rock it back and forth as you very rarely see a fish swim backwards, I just cradle the stomach and or hold the mouth open and point her into the waves and or current, and away she goes when she is ready. if it is not a picture worthy fish I either unhook it over the side and release it very quickly ( less than 10 seconds out of water) or I will boat flip it (but i dont let them hit the deck i catch them) usually jigs/t-rigs and frogs and they get back in the water even faster... If a fish looks like it may be in trouble of dying I will fire up the livewell with the oxygenator and livewell additives and almost always they end up recovering...
 
Mitch

I fish jigs and t-rigs often in the situation that you are talking about, typically towards the end of the cast i just thumb the spool and sweep my rod from pointing where i want to cast to almost 140 degrees rotated abound my body. this arc length more than makes up the 10-15 ft distance when using a 7'+ rod. 
 
Mitch

if i just need to catch fish to get the confidence up I go to 2 baits
1) 1/2 oz chart/wht double willow spinnerbait (blade color depends on water clarity)
2) dropshot either finesse worm or wacky senko
If i dont catch fish with these two baits, its going to be a long day... 
 
Mitch

i guess that depends on what other rods you have. it has a great blank with the scIII graphite, good micro guides. if it is one of your most sensitive rods I would use it for bottom contact jigs/trigs, if its middle of the pack I would go spinnerbait/c-rig/football jig. if its one of your lowest end rods use it for frogs and buzzbaits in light to moderate cover.
 
Mitch