the reel ess

If you had two identical reels except that one had a smaller diameter spool, that reel would have an effectively slower retrieve. Therefore, that reel would have more torque. It's like the difference between bigger rims and smaller rims on a vehicle. Big wheels are harder for the motor to turn, adversely affecting how much power you can put to the ground, and fuel consumption for that matter. I can attest to this because I put bigger rims and tires on my Jeep. It's getting around 14 MPG around town.

Now Spring, summer and fall. If I lived in FL, then winter as well.

I've got a fly rod that's suitable for bass, but I never use it. I've only caught a couple bream on it. It feels like trying to fish with one arm behind my back. It would be my luck I'd hook and lose the fish of a lifetime because I was using the fly rod. That said, if I was at a place full of dinks, it would probably be fun. They're not always going to bite on topwater. You don't have to spend a lot. One line, one leader and some bugs. Go to someone who knows what they're talking about to buy the line or you'll be fighting it more than fish.

Well, I carry 6 or 7 combos every time I go fishing. I usually catch most or all my fish on one or two of them. I'm going to do what I want to do at some point during the trip. Then, if fish aren't really into that, I'll try other lures. I won't try every topwater or every lipless crank in my box before I conclude they aren't going to bite one. It's more like, OK, they don't want a couple of different hardbait topwaters, I'll switch to a lipless crank or regular crank for a while. They don't want that, I'll put that rod down and go in a different direction. On another rod, I might start with a buzzbait and switch over to a spinnerbait after a while with no action. Sure, I have more baits than I actually catch fish on, but try not to let colors and options paralyze me.

NM edit: Since I have posted this, I've searched and read some threads. So if mods want to delete this thread, that's OK. If you want to comment please do. Any advice on the technique is appreciated. Thanks.

BD caught his PB on a spinnerbait. So did I a couple years ago. It's a big bass bait. But it seems to me that I just don't get a lot of bites on one. I read they're better when there's a little wind so that might be your guideline. But I caught that PB on a day with no wind. Keep trying it through the fall. It should produce when fish are a little less lethargic.

I'm throwing a Spook or similar bait from spring until the water is too cold. The Spook was good to me last year, but the Pop R and Chug Bug have been better this year. I just use a snap to attach because that's my lipless crank rod too.

I don't know if this is new because I couldn't find a date in it. http://www.abugarcia.com/AbuGarcia-news-berkley-abugarcia-named-premier-sponsors-of-bassmaster-events.html

This thread leads me to share this tidbit. Cabela's Tournament ZX rods are on sale for $75. That's what my frog rod is. edit: a few models are left

Are you telling me $100 is a cheap rod? Then no, you're not the only one. I have 2 $100 or more rods and I actually bought one of them used from a guy I worked with for $50. Aside from that I have 3 Lightning Rods and an old BPS Viper spinning rod that came on a combo for $70...For the whole combo. As for the higher end rods, one is my jig rod and one is my frog rod. Two areas I didn't want to skimp on. If I broke a cheap rod I'd replace it with a better one. And I just wish they were a little lighter. But until then I just keep catching fish on them. How many pros do you see using the Duckett rods?

They eat live baitfish. They're more of a "gamefish" than the blue cat.

I want to catch some smallies and this is the closest river to do so. Does anyone know public access points for the Broad River north of Columbia? I don't want to fis the lower end around Cola.

And some believe it attracts fish. ? I'd experiment with it rusty (except the hook point). Fish probably won't care. Or change out the blades. I've kept every spinnerbait I've ever had so I have some extra blades and swivels around.

Panfish are vicious. They'll rip a plastic to shreds. I've had a jig tied on all season and one thing that I've noticed consistently is that the bite doesn't usually feel like anything. I usually notice the line moving before I feel any weight. I reel up any slack until I feel the weight and quickly set the hook hard.

This will be a popularity contest of what people like to fish most. Last fall I caught a PB on a cheap old BPS store brand spinnerbait, so I had to pick that. I also love those other baits.

IMO, this is the type of bait that color matters the least. I think one reason is that I almost never catch a fish in direct sunlight with a popper. Even when they bite it during the day, it's in the shade. I think the action is way more important than the color.

I love the Pop R and the Chug Bug. They've both been killer for me this season. I don't like the magnum sized Pop R. Thus I bought the Chug Bug to fill that niche. Here's a tip. Use a snap or split ring on the line tie and you'll get a better walking action. It is true that most of the time you should wait for the rings to dissipate, but not always. Sometimes the action of the bait starting right up will turn them on. It's a great bait for when schools are busting bait on the surface. Then you'll need to make noise to attract their attention. You won't spook them in this case. The bigger size would probably be better for that situation. Just like the retrieve, you'll need to let the fish tell you if you should wait a few seconds before you start. Sometimes, they'll hit it on the stop. They just can't stand it sitting still. Bigger mono is usually better because mono floats. Therefore 15 lb is more buoyant. It also seems to me to be a better compromise between stretch and strength. I use 15 lb. Big Game. But the regular size Pop R can be a little tough to cast on a baitcaster with heavy line. I use a 6'6" M. But a longer rod can help.

You can use the Trick worm in almost any way you use regular worms. T-rig, shaky head, wacky, weightless. For this reason, I almost always have one tied on (weightless) or at least in the kayak with me. If I decide I want one of the other presentations, it's right there on the end of my line. It works great rigged the same way you'd rig a ribbon tail. I'm sure there are times either is the better bait. Ribbon tails are available in monster sizes. But there is a magnum size T Worm too. Due to the added action, I see the ribbon tail as a warm weather bait, but I've caught enough bass on the T Worm that it doesn't need to prove anything else to me. I don't drop shot and I haven't used a gator tail since I was in my 20's. I'm pushing 50 now.

I'd try a frog if there are weeds or pads present. I usually have a Trick Worm tied on my spinning rod as well. I like all the usual bass baits, but fish might be conditioned to the most common ones. When I approach a pond, I'll usually walk the dam and areas I can get to before I put my kayak in. Pay attention to baitfish and small fish around the edges and any movement you see. I often catch a couple from the bank before I get in the kayak. If I spook a fish I'll leave that area and try it again at least 15 minutes later. Their memories are short unless you stick 'em. Then I just throw the baits I think will work based on season and conditions. Parks get pressured. Fish will be more "educated". It's good to try to show them something they haven't seen yet. It never hurts to ask private pond owners. All they can say is yes or no.

To what depth are these useful?

I made a crate for the rear well using milk crate, pvc pipe and zip ties. It was free. Now, with the two flush mount rod holders, I can take 7 rods and hold a tackle box, scale, extra bags of plastics, etc. Very useful. I put a zig-zag cleat on the side opposite the bungee paddle holder. Sometimes I use a stringer and that's very handy so I don't always have to untie the stringer to put more fish on. I've always wanted a stadium seat for my kayak, but it's too tippy for that. I just use one of those cheap stadium cushions and it's pretty comfy for hours of fishing. Before I started using it, my feet would fall asleep after a couple hours and I'd have to squirm around to wake em up. A kayak will give you all kinds of cheap or free upgrade ideas.

Location. My last few PBs were frog, spinnerbait & jig (current PB). Those are big fish baits, but they really reflect the ways I like to fish. The last two PBs came from the same body of water. I'd have more confidence there with a Ned than I would most places with a monster bait. I've caught 5+ pounders on most of the usual bass baits at this same place.

Yep, no hookset. I had that problem when I was new to bass fishing too. I came from a background of crappie and bream fishing so I'd never set a hook. As you're reeling the bait in and you get a bite just wait to feel the weight of the bass on it and then give it a sharp yank. I also don't like braid for topwaters or any trebles. I know others will argue, but mono gives me time the stretch for bass to take a lure before I can yank it away. It also gives some stretch when you get the bass close and it inevitably jumps and tries to shake the bait. But those two things don't appear to be your issue.

I'm just north of the path of Florence when it comes by Columbia, SC. Not our first hurricane, but it might be the most rain I've ever seen in my nearly 50 years. And I'm really glad we recently got a new roof. The last one would not have withstood the sustained winds we're going to get.

I don't use any. If it's so windy I can't fish, I have a little pond I can go to anytime that's down in a hollow that rarely sees more than a ripple. I tried a system and actually have an anchor but it was too much hassle. But the Micro Power Pole looks cool. I just don't want more $$$ in my anchor than in my kayak. I plan to upgrade the kayak maybe by next season. I'd like one I can stand in.