dmainor

Done, thanks for the heads up! Dug

For me, I only use Power pro and 832, and 832 is my first choice. I have tried others like the fire line and spider wire, but they seem more brittle and prone to break offs. the 832 is 8 strand with a hydrophobic Gore fiber core and a break in the line doesn't translate to failure somewhere else on the line like a 4 strand braid does. Other aspects to consider are: 4 strand is better at cutting through vegetation but isn't as quiet casting or as smooth as 8 strand. Hope this helps Dug

I agree that the slip Bobber is the way to go, and the best I have ever found are the everlasting Slip Bobber http://www.hloutdoors.com/ I am not affiliated with them, I am just a loyal customer that wants to share a good thing. Dug

Couldn't you build a lockable tube that you could mount in your jon boat? You could pad the inside of the tube with a Pool noodle and that should suffice to keep the rod safe. dug

I would never use bubble gum plastics..... However I have slayed them on Cotton Candy..... my favorite color in water that's not gin clear. Dug

Lobina Rico maybe? Dug

A Zara Swayback spook if you can find them is the best Lure I have found to learn to walk the dog. I never understood why they stopped making them, but I can always find them on Ebay if I need to get another. Here is Heddon's description: When it comes to surface lures Heddon is on top. Designed with a slightly higher pull point than the original Zara Spook, the SwayBack “walks the dog” easier than any bait on the market. The arched back creates a more lifelike silhouette on the water to fool even the most highly pressured fish. With the nose and tail feather above the water’s surface the SwayBack creates tremendous water displacement and sound, causing ferocious blowups. Available in natural baitfish patterns designed to be effective on bass, stripers, and saltwater species. Dug

Looked at BPS for the Ugly Stik Tiger Spinning rods and depending on the model Lure weight is rated between 1/2 up to 6 OZ. "With actions designed for jetty and plug fishing, these rods make a great live bait choice for large catfish, stripers, and bigwater game fish." Dug

another vote for the beetle spin, color almost doesn't matter it's such a good lure especially for kids. Just cast and retrieve and it's enough to set the kid on a lifelong passion for catchin. Dug

Great catch, and tell your wife she did great with the net. She scooped it up just fine! Dug

I cannot recommend them enough, hands down the best bobber I have ever used and the only one I will ever use. The Everlasting Slip Bobber (ESB) http://www.hloutdoors.com/

that's awesome and the rod looks great..... From a 21 year vet Salute!! Dug

They look great, love the color schemes. IMHO though, I like the football head jigs much better for this application as you get the blade knocking the head and causing all that delicious sounding ruckus that the bass come lookin for. Dug

I am kind of surprised that the Yozuri Snap Bean didn't make anyone's list. Dug

another option is the Accu Cull Grip Saver. basically a heat shrink for your handles. Dug

Cotton Candy has been very good to me, in most plastics I have tried it on a as well as on a Vibrashock Blade Jig. dug

I grew up fishing the sloughs of the Mississippi river in Prairie Du Chien WI and I remember very distinctly so many moments. My favorite. Heading back to the marina on my friends boat (his dad owned the marina) and i had a small black jig tied on to my pole. I saw a water snake slither through some vegetation right next to the boat, and popped my jig at it, thinking I might snag it (kids!?!) But, I caught my first 2 plus pound Smallmouth when it leapt up and took that black jig out of the air. Startled the heck out of both of us, but what a blast. Spent many summers catching every type of fish those sloughs had to offer and I would love to go back and fish them like I did, with the same energy I had 40 years ago. Dug

X2 on the 8 footer, Try and find a place where you are well above your target water so that your net will have time to fan out, even on a poor throw. I used to throw a walmart 8 foot cast net off a bridge (about 8-10 feet above the water) and would get enough shad to catfish with for the day. Dug

Not only are they near indestructible and very easy to do maintenance on, there are super tuning directions out there that make this a very well performing reel. Dug

yup, kids fiskars work well, you can even find them in a camo pattern. Dug

Come to think of it, I have a couple of CD holders that work pretty well for this too. You can fit a lot of bladed Jigs and spinnerbaits in a CD wallet! Dug

I have had some luck in the past Hillsborough river State part, but haven't been there in awhile so don't know the present conditions. at https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hillsborough+River+State+Park/@28.0925538,-82.2904812,12.29z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xf59a82c2814509d3!8m2!3d28.1461733!4d-82.2304344 Dug

A Float n Fly is a great method for getting kids interesting in lure fishing. dug

I have these also and great for the price. However, I really feel that in a situation where a lure is going to come smack me in the glasses, they won't stand up to the impact, so I caution you that High impact lenses are a much better choice in the long run. Look for lenses that meet ANSI code z80.3 for UVA/UVB eye protection, Additionally ANSI Z87.1-2003 offers impact or high impact protection. Dug

You couldn't just tell us, you have to click bait Daiwa videos?? Sounds like TA-TOO-LA to me. Dug