J Francho

You're the only one that mentioned Humminbird specifically. Lowrance has several DI units. So does HB, apparently: http://store.humminbird.com/products/410760/788ci_HD_DI_Combo

I don't think littering is as big an issue as baits that fly off while playing the fish back to the boat.

I don't always dropshot, but when I do, I choose Dos Equis. Roboworms, Shad Shaped Worm, Gulp! Alive minnows and Leeches, and 4" Powerworms have all caught some trophy smallies for me.

That's what a map of the lake, and some judicous time on the water is for. But, if you are looking for something with that fast a response, a flasher will do that. I love a properly tuned flasher. Problem is, once you notice the depth creeping up (that's if you notice) it's probably too late. get a contour map of the lake, use your eyes, and when in doubt, kill the motor and trim up.

A jig makes a great depth finder.

Flipping is something you want to have like a second nature. As I'm moving through a weed flat, I don't think, "should I make a flip or a pitch here." It's automatic - whatever works better. I think, "let me get my bait there," and whatever cast is best happens. Like driving, you don't think, "turn the wheel clockwise," you look right (well hopefully you look left first, LOL) and go there.

You can keep preaching that mentality, but you will remain in the minority. Think about it. You are sensing a bite. Sensitivity is what that's all about.

It's why braid is so sensitive, LOL.

Maybe, if you are watching the tip to feel the bite. You'd be surprised how many people do this.

Yeah winter sucks up here. All we have to fish for are these....

No, he's saying he has a DI, not an SI unit.

You are counting it down to the depth the fish are.

Plenty of times. Smear Megastrike on the weight as a lube and hopefully for them to hold it longer. Nothing so horrifying as seeing one of the most violent strikes while flipping, and realizing you never felt a bump, or saw the line twitch. If you're flipping a flat, and it takes a 3 count to hit bottom, and suddenly it gets there in a 2 count, set the hook, LOL.

Brand new motor. Might take some time for anything useful to come in. All I've heard is that it's light.

Action shouldn't have ANYTHING to do with sensitivity. Some of my touchiest jig rods are moderate fast. And also keep in mind when watching Rich Z in action that he doesn't use drag. Locked down and backreels.

It's not my preference. A medium or medium light power, x-fast action spinning rod has PLENTY of bend with a fish on to protect the hook. In fact, I use a 6-3" rod, which is short by many standards. To answer your other question, Rich Zaleski uses a parabolic rod for this, and he's drop shotting fool: http://www.richz.com/fishing/articles/dropshot.html http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz1.html http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/richz2.html http://www.lunkerville.com/lunkerville1/manwithaplan.html

A flip is just a way to cast. Deliver the bait to the fish quietly, right in their wheelhouse, and be prepared to set the hook fast. The fight can be a little interesting with a big fish in cover on a short leash. I generally use a pitch to farther targets, but I'll use a flip to get to a close target that I over looked. It's also great to "poke and pray" when fish are scattered over a large weedy flat.

I'm curious, what other means were you looking to use for payment? CC is pretty much it online. There's Paypal, but that's linked to your checking, and is the same as debit. Unless you link it to a CC, which brings us full circle.

You guys are missing out NOT swimming a micro jig. It's a near motionless retireve, sort of like using hair jigs for smallies. Back when NY had a closed bass season, I caught a ton of crappie and gills this way. It was a lot easier to stay on them than any vertical presentation.

That is true on some lakes, but not all places. Cayuga is one where I distinctly recall fishing through pike, BIG pike for our 2nd place bag in the dead of summer. However, go with that mentality on the lake, like Sodus or Fairhaven, and you'll be just catching pike. About the only time they intersect is post pike spawn, which is just about when the bass seem to really wake up. Luckily, you don't need an A-rig to catch bass that time of year. Some days an unbaited gold hook is all it takes, LOL. In fact, most of the byproduct catches I've seen reported this fall were walleye. Now that isn't too bad.

Yep, and so does the Calcutta - I posted without thinking - I am sure there are others in the Shimano line. I thought we were talking about the Zillion and the Curado. Thanks for the correction.

No freaking way I'd do that, lol.

Interesting, I do use Spro and Megastrike. But not because Roland recommends them. Or is it?!?!?

It's those "bad swells" that made me switch to the FTOs. made me NUTZ to find my stuff all mixed.

Fixed bobber for depths less than the length of the rod, and slip bobber and a stop for greater depths.