Long as you're having fun with your kids. That's what really counts.
How far you can cast the bait depends on a few things. First, if you're using the fishing line that came on the reel you need to change it. They usually come with stiff cheap monofilament line on them. I like Trilene XL or Bass Pro Shop Excel in 10 pound test.
Also, the combined weight of the float, sinker, hook, and bait play a big part in the distance you can cast. The heavier that weight the further you can cast is the accepted rule but there is a practical limit to it. You can't tie a brick on and cast it because you've overloaded your rod.
When you cast, use your wrist in the motion of casting. If you're casting with your wrist locked you aren't getting the most distance for your effort. On your backswing cock your wrist back and rotate it forward as you cast. Kinda like swatting a fly with a fly swatter. Best way I know of how to describe it. LOL! Hope this helps.
Go to the Georgia Dept of Natural Resources website. Look for a Public Fishing Area (PFA) near you. These lakes are well stocked. Take your crickets and worms with you. Fish either on or close to the bottom in 6 to 12 feet of water.
Depth was measured in fathoms pr feet. My guess this was used to find the deepest water in a pond or small lake.
Yep, that's what it is. A depth sounder. You attach a weight to the snap on the end and count the knots as it goes down or you reel the string in. Or the line was marked. Prehistoric depth finder. VBG!
Go to the Georgia Department of Resources website. Look on the right side of the screen and click on "List of Public Fishing Areas".. I don't know which ones are closest to you. Maybe Flat Creek PFA.
I'm in Forsyth. I don't fish much down that way. In the summer I night fish for bass in Lake Sinclair. When the weather cools I fish High Falls & Lake Juliette.
Where bouts in Central Georgia. Have you got a boat? If so, try Lake Sinclair near Milledgeville. Lake Oconee.
If it comes within my reach I pick the stuff up. I carry plastic garbage bags in my boat just for that. It only takes a second to pick it but it takes decades for it to break down in the environment.
I like to use "Owner" brand hooks. Sharpest hooks I've ever seen. They're so sharp that you have to be careful that YOU don't get hooked. Even a weak hook set will hook the fish. In the several years that I've been using them I've only had one fish spit the hook.
Don't know where you're fishing but my go-to bait is a plastic worm. Colors Junebug, Fire & Ice, watermelon, pumpkin seed.
Also square billed Shad Rap in shad or crawfish color.
This time of year when it's scorching hot here in Georgia I fish a high pressured lake at night. I fish mostly lighted docks but dark docks can be productive as well. I cast both worms and crank baits. Work the edge of the light circle or right up close to the dock. The fish will usually be just outside the lighted area or under the dock.
I fish dark colored worms, mostly Junebug or Fire & Ice Culprit 7 1/2 inch. However I have caught a lot of fish on something different. One year a Bubblegum colored Zoom worm got me a lot of fish. For crankbaits I use square billed or shallow running baits in either crawfish, bream, or shad coloring. You just have to experiment with colors.
I noticed you said the bottom was mossy. In that case I'd try a Carolina rig on about an 18" leader instead of a jig or a texas rigged worm. I've tried drop shotting and I haven't had any luck with it but it sounds like it should be just the trick. Try that too.
The key to fishing the worms at night is SLOW. I always put a glass bead on the line between the weight and the swivel or the hook. Sometimes two beads. Glass beads make a better sound than plastic beads. With the crankbaits I usually use one with a rattle in it. The bass locate the bait by sound and vibration at night. Even on the crankbaits you don't want to burn them in. Give the fish time to find it.
Hope this helps. Good Luck!
Somebody might be raising them to go after BIG catfish. The guys around here use hand sized bream as bait and they catch some mighty big cats fishing in the river.
I've fished plastic worms for over 50 years and have run into this problem from time to time. It's like the fish grabs the tail of the worm and tries to keep it from getting away. When that starts happening I lower the rod tip as soon as I feel the bite and allow the fish a time to get the entire worm in his mouth. Watch the line for movement as the fish swims away. Then reel in the slack line and SET the hook.
I have used the commercially made "attractant" on the worms as well. It's more environmentally friendly than petroleum based products. I have heard that WD-40 works but I've never used it on my bait. The worms used to come packed with anise oil on them.