I have a reel& would like to make my own rod. Any help would be appreciated.
Don't know about the reel's. High viz. line works for me. I prefer high viz. Green.
I use those in the river as a drop weight. About the same size, usually 3oz.
Rubber worm, Texas rigged with a lighter weight lead and a weedless hook#3or#5
I always use springlizards. They're a natural enemy that will eat their egg's. Possibly a rubber lizard if you can't find live ones.
Get yourself a pit bull, they'll make short work out of'em. Deer guts too. Bones too;
In southern freshwater, for me, its !!!!!!!!flatheads!!!!!!
That looks like a blue to me.
Buy a Baby bubbler at WallMart. (They're not expensive) put a bucket, with lid, in your boat and they'll live all the way home. Runs aprox. 20 hrs. on 2 AA batteries. Will also run on one battery but I don't know how long.