Sorry guys I type that last message on my phone. It never works well. Kind of like fishing for bluegill with a 7 inch senko. The outcome is entirely predictable. Just don’t do it.

I only use my 4000 for saltwater . I agree to unwieldy for pond. I have three President types and really like them. A 1000, 2500 and. 3000 pan fish I stick with my ultralights or a 6’ 6” ML Fast . You can really fling small lures . It’s certainly capable of landing small bass. I also use a MH Fast spinning rod with a 2500 series reel for larger fish in small pond settings

I use ultralights for this line of fishing an ultralite 5’ 6”” rod and a 1000 series reel. I use spool one with 4lb flouro (usually P-line) and the other with Berkeley Trilene mono, also pound test. The mono set up got used for baits where I want the bait to float. How we I found that the either line would quickly “set” on the small reels and tangles became common with light lures . So I tried 10 lb braid with either a 4lb mono or flouro leader this year. I am not going back. Tangle problem solved. I use 3 to 4 foot leader attached with a uni knot

PS unless you driving a ‘Vette, McDonough is going to be closer to an hour from Rainbow

Rainbow has precious little shore fishing. Basically the boat launch area and the amount of land around it. But there is a little cove and I have gotten perch and LMB out of that area but it’s not prolific and nothing of size. You really need a boat at Rainbow . Even a yak will be fine. The fishing on the opposite shore is much better. More friendly habitat. McDonough is tough from the bank . There is a pull off and a handicap accessible platform down a paved walk just up 219 from the center on New Hartford. Unfortunately the area is kind of featureless . Clear water, gravel floor. There is a significant drop off but is a good long cast. I can reach with a seven foot rod and a Texas rigged senko with a worm weight. I am not the best caster in the work so maybe you can do it easily . There are a couple of other shore access points but the narrow steep paths are rough. The water is shallower here and I have only caught panfish at these . You can rent row boats from the MDC. No motors though and you can’t bring your own

If you bought a combo rod reel with spooled line get rid of the line. You don’t know how long that line was on that real. Mono and flouro set after a while and misbehave badly, even top quality line. I totally respool my flouro and mono reels once at the beginning of the season and again about half way through . I gave up on 4 lb test flouro and mono. I know spool my 1000’series ultralights with 10 lb braid And long mono for flouro leaders . If you are new to fishing take your reel to a tackle shop or retailer that can respool line and buy new line .

With flouro to tackle or either mono or flouro leader to braid I use the uni knot. The cinch knot can cut into the flouro and weaken it. Even with ample lubrication I have lost more than one rig to a cinch know with flouro. Cinch knots work well wit mono as does the Palomar .

My fav cheaper rod for pan fish is my Cabela’s. Fish eagle ultra light 5.5 rod with a 2500 series reel , spooled with 6 lb mono. Look for it on sale at cabela’s or bass pro. Apparently some Walmart’s sell decent fishing equipment mine does not . It’s all kids spin cast, low end rods and if they sell a reel it’s all plastic junk. Seriously a bunch ok ok ugly sticks and not one reel most of the time

Anything that says magic on it , I leave in the store. If you want to fish catfish or what ever with chicken liver, go to the grocery store and by a tub of
Chicken liver for a fraction of the cost of this magic bait

Enjoyed this. How true and so many rules to live by

Small braid scissors by Rapala and others work really well , easily fit in a pocket , or attached to a lanyard. Use them all the time . So quick sharp and easy, I use mine for flouro and mono as well . I think my line cutters are all but retired

Circle hooks only in my tackle box. Makes C&R much easier

I put little floats on my rods. I have lost more than one to many. A small landing net , like one used by river trout fishermen. Water! Paddle leash or or paddle retainer . Life jacket , the make less bulky ones for a kayak . I always wear long pants and long sleeve shirts. Fish hooks , pike etc are not a good mix for bare skin. Also protects against the sun. I prefer spinning reels in the Yak Easier to feel with

Not sure what you are using or how big that bass was, but my fresh water spinning reels for larger fish, aka bass have 15 and 20 lb braid on them with 10 or 12 lb mono filament or flouro leader. They can easily caught many nice bass. This morning I was out early and nothing doing on the texas rig senko on the baitcaster medium heavy fast rod. So I switched to my 7 foot medium fast action spinning rod with 6lb mono and a small jig head and a small curly tail grub. I got a nice crappie out of this spot last week so my not. First cast got a hit. It was a 1
1;4 lb LMB and it was a little bit of work getting it in, but it was fun. No line break. Just make sure your drag is appropriate . If you are fishing in a lake with really big fish then perhaps heavier line is appropriate. See what other people are using in the water you are fishing in.

Fish can see braid. You need to use mono or flouro for leader. Flouro if you want your bait to sink , mono if you want it to float .