HoosierHawgs

Try this: http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/2014/08/bait-guide-how-to-catch-bass-in-any-pond

Indiana (duh), Florida, Tennessee, I've fishes in Michigan, but only off piers, so I didn't catch anything.

Indiana is somewhere in the middle IMO. There are good sized fish here, and some decent fisheries for sure (Raccoon, Eagle Creek Reservoir, Monroe, Patoka, and a small, but well kept shoreline of Lake Michigan). But some fisheries like the White River are trash. Not well kept IMO. But in terms of top states to fish, CA, NY, MI, The Carolina's, AL, TN, and FL all have world class fishing IMzo

Shimano what? Only one I can find for $99 is a Citica.... Which is just a Cauis w/an aluminum frame.... It doesn't have near the features of an LFS model Speed Spool, which is $99 at a base price and can be found for less I'm sure... While the Citca is a $129 base price... What's funny is I like my $100 Speed Spool better than more expensive reels from other brands!!!

I know the Ranger's have plenty of space to store up to 8' rods, and they also have a very large casting deck from what I've seen/been shown. I don't know a whole lot about the Skeeter's, but someone I know is looking to get into a new boat as well and he is looking at the Skeeter's.

I had that fact that confidence is a huge part of fishing driven home for me this year. There were many times where a sheer lack of confidence (and focus) let a bad day get even worse. Another theme that goes along with this is my hardheaded stubborn nature is going to have to change for this coming season. There were times where Dad was just wacking em, and I wasn't getting a bite, and yet I refused to change what I was doing due to fishing history, what I'd been told by others, ect. I just need to learn to focus on what I'm doing and be versatile. It will help my be a much more productive angler in the future.

I don't know what reel you are fishing currently, but in another thread DVT commented that once you jump into the 100+ dollar price point the quality takes a rather large jump as well. I imagine you will enjoy the reel, and that this will become a very expensive hobby

Never fished one, but may have to experiment w/it this upcoming season. As for making it weedless, get a head w/a weedgaurd, there out there somewhere.

Johnson Beetle Spin... Still in my box.

And the swimbait experiment begins! I'll be looking to order some Hollow Bellies, S-Wavers, Savage Gear Line Thru and 4Play baits, and some Hard and Soft Magic Swimmers. I'll keep everyone updated when I do!

Toothpaste and a toothbrush. Gently scrub.

My thoughts exactly!

This is exactly what I would have said! Nice!

Definitely go for a 6'6" rod for your setup. This will help. Advice given above is good as well. If you are hell bent on a new caster at that price range, get a Lew's LFS Speed Spool, they are $99. Good workhorse reel IMO Lew's casting distance is unmatched. Also, use the lightest line you can get away with. It will help greatly.

Ditto. Even when bass are suspended in cooler waters they can be called up by a walking spool or a popper that sits there for a long time.

This is what fishing is all about you are trying to recreat your last bite. That one bite can clue you in to where the fish are, hoe active they are, what they are eating, ECT.

I like the idea of covering all of the water from top to bottom. There is a great article about how to do that here: http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/2014/08/bait-guide-how-to-catch-bass-in-any-pond

Both would be fine but pay the extra money for an aluminum frame. I own both a tourney and laser, both good, but that tourney is simply more solid in construction. My 2 Cents

I love my Lew's! They are by far my favorite out of everything I own.

Are you using those as Crankin combos?

Blue bird skies. Just not my strong suit. My strength would have to be overcast+heavy wind.

Anything that imitates a crayfish is a good start. This includes craws, beavers, jigs,and flippin' tubes, just to name a few. I really like the look of Craw Tubes, and think they are a good shape the bass don't see very often. A creature bait like a Brush Hog is a good bait to elicit a reaction from the fish as well. You can also skip docks with weightless stick worms or finesse worms rigged wacky style or jigs paired with flat chunks, to get it back to areas where other anglers can't reach. Hope this helps, Jake

Wow! Thanks for the info! Will have to shop quickly!

It's winter here and the reels are going up so I figured I'd upload some pics! http://imgur.com/7gvi1yL Not quite as impressive as some, but not quite finished yet! There are some Lew's, Quantum, Daiwa, Shimano, and Abu all in the mix, but the Lew's are by far my favorite.

This is a good ratio for lots if things. I like to use them for Burning Lipless Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits, Texas Rig plastics and jigs, and frogs as well. I would go with a high quality 6'6" or 7' Medium Heavy Casting Rod that you think feels good w/your reel. What is the specific reel you got?