looking45

When it’s overcast, I throw top water for spots

I remove the trebles on the few baits I have with three hooks and replace them with an inline book on the front and back, no middle hook. I haven’t had any problems having fish come off. YMMV

I don’t use scent. I’ve fished with people who always used scent. There was no difference in the number of fish we caught. If you think scent works for you, use it. so far, no one who uses scent has done well enough for me to try it. YMMV

A 5” senko is a lot of plastic in the mouth of the sooted bass here. I want to make sure I’ve got enough book to get through the plastic. I’m using an Eagle Claw circle hook, size 3/0

I pour a color that the spotted bass can’t resist. Looking down on it, it’s a pale brown. Hold it to the light and it’s purple. No flake

My electronics are older. I have no sneed to upgrade. I use the to find depth, water temp and structure. If the area looks good, I’ll fish it. I go fishing to fish, not stare at a screen. I can do that at home. YMMV

I’m happy where I am, 9 miles from Lake Shasta, fishing for spotted bass. Average days are 20-40 fish, great days are 100+. Most of the fish are 1-1/2-2#, but there are enough 3-5# fish and the occasional 7 pounder. My friends and I have a blast fishing 1 power rods with 4# test.

A friend and I are in the process of swapping out the felt washers in our Shimano Ci4’s. We found out when the washer in one of his reels started shredding. He’ll be doing all the reels. He said it takes less than 5 minutes per reel.

The entire tail isn’t usable. You can get 3-4 jugs from each tail. We have a few friends who save the tails for us. Check your local regulations so you don’t get fined for shooting one out of season.

My brother ties the 1/8 and 1/4 oz hair jigs we use mainly in the winter for spotted bass. He uses the hair from the tails of tree squirrels. If you know anyone who hunts tree squirrels ask them to save the tail for you. My brother heavily salts the cut end and stores them in a big zip loc bag.

IMHO, you are overthinking this. The easier it is to cast a bait, the more you’re going to use it. The more you use it, the more bites you’re going to get. It’s not rocket science

I use a belly weighted EWG hook

Costco has affordable frames and they do prescription sunglasses.

These are the ones I use. You will lose rhe head before the worm comes off

My .02, you should be savimg for better hooks rather than getting more baits. That said, you can probably my find some no name hooks on TEMU. Remember how much you paid for them when they break/bend easily