IR4J

The reason for the spraying left and right is that the spool isnt spinning fast enough for the velocity of the weight..

I would suggest backing off the brakes and the tension until you start to backlash. you will be happier with the result if you learn to properly use the reel versus relying on the reel to do the work

Always glad to hear your reports Hank, good to see the weather didn't keep you away from the toothy ones

14-17lb mono will be the most cost effective to learn on. I would buy Sufix pro select at canadian tire... 1720yards for 9$, to be completely honest I still fish it all the time I just find I need to change it more often

Check out Handlebarz, great baits and a great guide service, theres a good chance hes booked but worth a shot

Largemouth definitely don't need vegetation to support themselves, look at the impoundments of middle america that always seem to produce incredible fishing. 

That being said I have seen ponds like this support a largemouth population, are there baitfish of any sort? How choked out does it get in the summer (Looks like hell now)? It's definitely not as easy as just introducing them to the pond