SJex

This one works for me.

Megabass Destroyer Addermine 6'11" Daiwa Exist 2510 Power Pro 15lb with a 7lb Sunline Sniper leader Gammy #1 Splitshot hook with a 3/16oz. Quickdrop Dropshot weight 5" Watermelon/Red Zoom Shakey Head worm

Current favorite is a Megabass Destroyer Addermine with a Daiwa Exist. Also have a soft spot for the setup it replaced, a Shimano Zodias 7' ML and Shimano Rarenium 2500 (JDM Stradic Ci4+). Caught a ton of fish with it and abused the heck out of it.

Daiwa JDM Exist on a Megabass Destroyer Addermine.

War Eagle and Stanley Wedge.

Fully agree with this.

I would grab a MH Kistler Helium 3 when they go on sale. I purchased 2 H3 and have been super impressed with both rods (I own 7'M and a 7'1" MH).

June 2007 5" Green Pumpkin Senko.

Baitcasting - Shimano Core 50mg7 Spinning - Shimano Rarenium Ci4+ 2500FB

Shimano Zodias 7' ML with a Shimano Rarenium 2500FB

It's my favorite way to fish. It is extremely effective from shore. Fish it along weedlines. Don't be afraid to fish in weeds with open hook, as you will land more fish than t-rigging. Run a longer tag end if you cast out as oppose to fishing straight down. I don't recommend fishing an open hook if fishing around lots of wood and sticks. Don't give up if you don't find success when learning (I hated it the first time I tried it). There is a learning curve to it, but once mastered it is a deadly technique.

Dropshot is my favorite but the Ned rig is fast becoming a favorite.

I had the same problem. I was using Sufix 832 10lb and spent a half a day messing with it. I changed my line to Power Pro 20lb and have had very few issues since.

Rods - Shimano, Loomis, Megabass, Powell and Dobyns Reels - Shimano, Daiwa, and Pflueger

Nice Fish! Thats a nice looking lake you have there.

Try a Heddon tiny torpedo or a popper. Throw something different. Also besides what others have mentioned, how often do you fish this pond? You have to manage fish much like tournament anglers. Spend your days fishing different areas or spread your fishing days apart. Allow the fish time to recover.

Z Man Tubez and Strike King Dreamshots have been killer for me the last 2 seasons both for size and numbers. They work great on a dropshot rig. Z Man Tubez look like a small bait fish or minnow when fished this way.

For sunfish you want a fast action or even moderate rod. For bass you want a faster action. A longer rod will give you better casting distance, but you should still get decent distance from the shorter rod. I fish a Loomis Trout series UL that is 6'7" and distance is almost the same as my 7' rods. A tip regarding line, use a small diameter braid to get better casting distance, it really does help.

Braid - Power Pro 20lb Hi-Vis Yellow Leader Knot - FG knot Leader - Sunline Sniper 6 - 8lb.

I could tell by the smile on your face, well done!

Nice fish, great to hear the bleeding stopped. Bet your still shaking.

Just be more aware of your surroundings during your casts. Getting your lure hung up on a tree limb or bush will often lead to the mother of all backlashes. I carry a spare reel in case of a bad backlash, and will switch reels rather than pick the backlash out.

I fish both casting and spinning. I actually lose less fish with spinning gear then I did with casting. I found I could work a lure better with spinning gear. The one issue I found when using casting gear with a leader, is when your line snaps during a cast, you will get quite the backlash if you don't have a quick thumb.

Casting or spinning gear? Did you boat flip the fish? I also use Gammy hooks (#2) and have caught 30+ fish on the same hook and have not had this happen. Maybe to hard a hookset or not enough drag.

Most lakes in my area are heavy vegetation and sandy bottom. I have had great success with a Z Man Tubez on a ned rig. In more heavily weeded areas I use a larger tube rigged weedless.