J Francho

My UL rods are long, but I'm using them for big fish on light line. 7' would be a nice length for a UL spinning rig. 5'-6" just seems way to short. For general spinning rod, a 7' MH/F can't be beat. Topwater plugs, I like a shorter rod, 6' to 6'-6", and XF action. I like the fast recovery from twitches.

Not sure I get it? Did you prefish? With what? Were you on fish? Why didn't you change baits? You really can't blame a bad tournament on the bait. That's sort of the deal with tournament fishing....its got nothing to do with the bait, and everything to do with your decision making process. Let's try to break this down to see where it went wrong, so you don't do it again next time.

Many, many people use cheap mono as a backing to more expensive "actual fishing" line.

I use green tint for green water. For all around, amber/blue mirror make a better choice for me.

Its not so much the bait....but the rig. Started wacky rigging baits that aren't usually wacky rigged, and adding weight last fall....neko. But the drop shot rig has been my go to rig for delivering plastics to deep bass.

Hey bro, check the Flea Market.....there's a Daiwa L&T Cranker for cheap!

Actually, swimming a football jig is KILLER. When it hits a big rock or ledge, the bait "rolls up" and often gets bit if you let it lie after contact. I even know some people that use football heads for paddletails....

You don't "tighten" brakes, you add or subtract from them. You tighten the spool tension so that the lure just drops. No one is saying use tape in lieu of proper setup. Spool tension, or cast control knob is for lure weight. Brakes are for casting ability and conditions. After you have learned to cast, these settings become preference. I happen to be one that uses almost ZERO spool tension, but 60-80% of the maximum brake setting. Everyone's mileage will vary.

That pretty much sums it up. Imagine if Lucky Craft came in those goofy Rapala boxes?

Or Rapala had more to offer him. Good for him! Still waiting for a pro sign with a big one - not fishing related, like Nike.

Swimming a jig can be done with any jig. A swim jig just does it better.

Crankin' Stick, hands down. I used them before I got my Avids.

Yeah, right. Picking out birds nest and respooling is manly?

That stuff is delicious on toast! Wipe it off, and flush it out with some Shimano Bantam Oil.

You're going to get a ton of different brands. It doesn't really matter what you get, just get one with a aluminum frame. That way, it won't fall apart in the 1st year. Have someone show you, or look up the pitch cast on YouTube. Learn this cast 1st. Then start the sidearm lob cast. Over head chuck and duck casts come much later. While you are learning, use inexpensive mono, like 17# Big Game. Pull off 50' or so of line, and tape the spool. Reel up over the tape. This way, you'll only backlash 50' worth of line.

If the ball is out of play on an overthrow, then it is one base. If it's thrown into center field, then take all the bases you can until the ball is in the infield and time is called. It teaches kids make sharp, accurate throws, and how to control the running game. Score doesn't matter in instructional leagues, though the kids, parents, and coaches all "know the score," and this can be teaching tool as well. An easy way to stop the nonsense is to simply teach the pitcher to stand on the rubber. No runner can advance while the ball is in the pitcher's hand and he's on the rubber. I'm pretty sure that's the same for Cal Ripkin and Little League rules. Bottom line, a team that cannot control the running game just isn't going to do well. It's fundamental to baseball.

Pretty much, though I consider you intelligent and creative enough to not have to use them anyway. *****.

Were you in any significant surface current? That'll kill a drift sock. Otherwise, I tend to think you were using an undersized sock. I use a 24" and/or a 42" for my kayak and 12-14' rowboats.

The picture.

That anyone would think that no one uses cuss words on this forum is testament to the robust language filters in place.

A little of both. It looks like I have the front gill in my grip, but it's the gill cover closest to me. We did revive this fish, though it took some time. I recall it taking off for a shelf out of current, and babysitting it for while, before it took off. Had I been prepared to deal with bigger fish that day, it wouldn't have been a big deal. A better tool for handling than fingers:

OK Frank, hopefully DVT Mike can help you out, I'm taking off for SC this afternoon.

Look at "Posty McPostalot," LOL. Disappears all winter, and now making fishing dates :lol::lol::lol:

What reels? Model and size, please.

Underwater cliffs. In other words, where the contour lines are close to each other.