For years I just pretty much quit fishing in the middle of the summer,
but I have been seeing some photos of some nice bass coming from the
lily pads on a lake within about a 30 minute drive of my home here in
Tallahassee.

Most of my fishing is done on a lake with minimal cover, so I normally
use 10 or 12 pound Trilene XL with no problems. I figured that
wouldn't work in the heavy cover, so I spooled up one of my old
Ambassadeur 5000s with some 40 pound Power Pro. Thanks to Bob Lalonde
for the guidance on using it and kudos to Power Pro for the booklet
included in the package. Come to think of, kudos to Power Pro for the
packaging that made loading the line on the reel much easier.

I had a collection of Zoom Horny Toads and screw in hooks that I had
never had much occasion to use, so I figured I was set. I went out
Saturday morning right at daylight and caught five bass between
daylight and 10 am. I also caught an 18" long chain pickerel, locally
know as a jack fish. I wouldn't necessarily target pickerel, but they
sure are fun when they attack a bait.

I was a little bit concerned that I would have trouble hooking the
fish since the hooks I had were only 2/0, but my hook-up ratio was
good. My only problem was that I was constantly getting the bait hung
up in the notch of the lily pad. Anyone have any thoughts on how to
handle that?