Redundant Questions of Mine

[vagabond]

Ok. I don't like to admit that I don't know what I'm doing. But I'd rather admit it here that to my father-in-law. We're really competitive with each other but haven't really fished together much. I generally fly-fish for trout and he generally likes to put his boat in a lake for bass. I have a couple basic questions to help get me on my way to kicking his butt.

1. When fly-fishing I've always used the smallest line I could in order to offer a more realisitc presentation. I've read and heard of bass fishermen using 30 and 40# test. Is this really necesary? 8 or 10# test should be sufficient, right?

2. If it turns out that there is a good reason for stringing on 30+ pound test, is that harder on a reel or rod that recommends 8 pound test?

Before I go out and buy all new gear, I just want to try to get an idea of what I should be getting.

3. Even though he only fishes bass and should be a master, I can pretty much keep up with him if we are using plastic. Everything else he probably out fishes me 5 to 1.

But when we are in his boat (I'm always in the ***** seat) he always catches more fish even when we use only plastic. Is there a different technique used for boat fishing with plastics? Or is he doing better because he gets his baits in the best spots first?

My basic last question is, Do any of you guys ever catch more fish out of the back of a boat? Or am I pretty much looking at getting my own boat and taking turns whos boat we take if I ever want to catch more fish than him on a lake?

Thanks for your help guys. And maybe one of these days I'll know enough to contribute also, instead of just taking.

Aaron