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I buy one to try it and if it works I'll go back for more.

The spinshot hooks and the like are actually pretty legit. Next to no line twist is a great thing.

Still frozen over up here. People were still ice fishing this past weekend, but it won't be long before parts of the lake start to open up.

I believe our club pays entry plus $150 for expenses for Mr. Bass or something similar. It'd be a stretch to get a reimbursement for a less than stellar finish. When it all comes down to it fishing is still fishing and there are going to be times someone doesn't do well no matter how much effort they put into it.

It was ripped up after 10 bass?

I don't always use snaps but when I do, I use the BPS fastlock nap swivels.

One extra tip that what's already been stated, when you try making an overhand cast instead of aiming at the spot you want it to land adjust your aim point for about 10 feet above it. This will help you to get used to adjusting your trajectory so you aren't trying to throw too hard.

Your boat already has the pedestal base. That's what is screwed into the deck with the screws. From looking at the pedestal that you have on the deck, that is a threaded base so you would need a pedestal with a 3/4 pin "threaded". I would suggest getting a power pedestal as they allow you to adjust to you or anyone else who fishes in the front of your boat. I'd suggest something like this.

Wheel bearing failures can happen regardless of what system you use. Even if you properly maintain them. Most of the time when they have issues the bearings will seize an very possibly blow apart and your wheel is pretty much free to come off the axle. I'd rather have the oil bathed hubs. They run cooler, easy to maintain, and are trusted by over the road trucking companies on all their trailers. They put on WAY more miles than I'll ever put on my boat trailer so if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.

Centerline would be where most are. Since you fish off both sides, you can use it's the best spot for it.

Welcome to the forums!

I wouldn't worry too much about the brake system. I've got a Revo Inshore that has the same braking system and it's pretty much set it and forget it.

As long as it was taken care of it should last you a good while.

I don't usually don't buy baits that are more than $10 due to the large number of toothy critters around here. It doesn't matter what you use, their teeth are as sharp as razors. So many times you set the hook and just see line flying back at you. Unfortunately I managed to lose a 3700 tray with at least $100 worth of crankbaits in it. That one hurt a bit especially since it was back in my broke high schooler days haha

I can't attest to the high end poly lenses, but I just bought a pair of Costas with the 580G lenses about a month ago, and I can say that they are crystal clear and that the weight of the glass isn't a whole lot. You can tell they weight a bit more in your hand, but once you put them on you don't even notice it.

If you're going after largemouth up north in the late fall or early spring when the water is still very cold, an often overlooked retrieve is a slow pull instead of a twitch. Sometimes you can mix them in with your twitching cadence as well. I've had a good deal of success doing so.

You could use rod socks or just twist the line around the rod to keep it from getting tangled. You could probably clamp one of these to the side of the boat using the pockets or the hand straps. Clamp one side to the gunnel with some spring clamps and leave it partially unzipped. It should keep things a little more tidy.

Take a look at these. I haven't got to put mine to use yet, but it looks like it should work well.

I used to have a Bass Tender, which isn't exactly the same, but those would collect water inside the hull due to condensation. You usually had to drain it once a year or so. Not 100% sure this is what's happening with your's, but I'd look into it.

I've got the Gen3 Inshore. If you're looking at something that can go back and forth for both fresh and salt, it would definitely get my vote. I haven't used it in salt water due to the fact that there isn't any around me, but I've been very impressed with it. The inshore can make an absolute bomb of a cast all while taking very minimal user input (thumb) even in fairly windy conditions. I got a steal of a deal on mine, but even if I didn't I'd consider buying another one.

I used to have a Berkley Lightning rod and for $39 dollars was a good rod in your price range. I've never used the shock to say if it's worth the extra $10 or not. Depending on what you're looking to use it for, the Berkley Amp rod I thought was pretty legit for a $30 rod. I eventually had an issue with the guides grooving after a few years, but for that price I was pleased.

I hardly ever fish from the bank anymore, but I did a lot in college with the river only a few blocks away and a small lake a few blocks the other way. I'd only take an ultra light with me. I took two rods a few times but felt too cumbersome with multiple, not to mention I caught more on the UL than i did on the others.

Congrats on the new rig!

I believe they made it in a few different sizes. I used to have a brown and orange one as a kid. I was only a kid when I was using one, so a lot of that has to do with the fact that I never caught a fish with it to my memory. I know I had a northern take a swipe at it though because it's got a hole poked in it from the tooth. I tried to use it a few times after that but it'd slowly fill with water and would just sink like a rock. My grandpa had given it to me for either a birthday present or Christmas gift so I kept it anyway. I still have it hanging in my bedroom at our cabin.

I only have 2 heavy power rods. One is a frog rod and the other is my flippin stick. I feel in a lot of places they may be a little overkill and I could easily get away with a MH.