J Francho

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

I've been using automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for the level wind worm gear. The main thing is, don't let it get gunked up. One thing to remember, the pawl is a sacrificial, wearable part. It's usually made of something softer than the worm gear, though not always. Conventional wisdom says to replace both parts together, as you would a main gear and pinion, though I've changed out the pawl too many times to count, and left the worm gear in tact with no issues.

I use the same spec rod, but in a LTB for that. Here's a little tip for those Keitechs:

I still like books and printed magazines. I also enjoy the convenience of things like the Kindle reader app.

I don't know if I'd trust that spring clip. Dropping a fish is not good.

That's a really good resource. I'd say, for storage, stick to the first page. If you're even slightly mechanically inclined, go on to the second page.

DO you mean preparing the reel for storage, or using in sub freezing temps?

Simple answer....don't snell for high impact hook sets with braid. I don't use it anymore. A Palomar or Uni knot will suit your purpose much better, and every fish you stick well, should end up in the boat, and none will break off due to the issue you cite.

An underwater obstruction at greater depth is probably warning against anchoring due to pipes, power lines, or just snaggy territory. Actual obstructions will get their own icons, like stumps, houses, roadbeds, etc. A good example of this would be Santee Cooper, in SC. Lake Marion has plenty timber, just below the water's surface, in deep water. Running lanes are clearly marked, as are the stump hazards. Just to the south, in shallow Lake Moultrie, there are roads, houses, and stumps. Locals love to watch out of towners tear up their LU, while they run the known safe areas. Took me a couple days of trolling around before I'd even get on plane in that place. Maps help, but they're not perfect. Pay attention, and mark safe boating trails to follow.

We've been known to use a jig like that to punch through thin, melting ice on ponds in early spring!

I throw traps prespawn, shallow on a 7' MH/F with 12# CXX. I use a fast rod so I can quickly detect when the bait ticks the tops of the new grass. The MH power helps rip it free, using sharp snaps that clear any leaves stick to the hooks. I feel like any H power rod would be too much for this. I'll even drop to a M/F if the weeds are sparse. The upside, both a M/F and MH/F are good for a TON of baits and styles. Both are a must have general purpose rod to have. Jump up to H/F, and it's uses narrow.

I have a GLoomis with these specs, and it's my favorite rod for jigs around docks and lay downs, where you'll likely end up with a big fish on a short leash.

I still use the typical punching rig, but more often, I turn to a heavy duty, jika style rig. I make them myself, using heavy wide gap hooks, heavy split split rings, and trolling weights. Here's a pic:

"Find the edge, and gain an edge...."

I had a 6-1 on a frog. As I'm bringing it in, a larger fish came and tried to get the bait from my fish. Looked to be much larger than the 6-1. Once I weighed the 6-1, I realized the other fish would have likely broken my PB of 7-2. Hard to know just how big it was.

It's not my favorite either. I generally reserve it for times when nothing else can get through, or there is a compelling frog bite. The right gear, and mindset are key. Yeah, it's fun, but heartbreaking sometimes. Some of my biggest catches and biggest failures have happened on the frog.

To me, it depends on how it's being used by the bass, or how the bass are relating to it. Weeds are almost always thought of as "cover," yet, that seam where two species are adjacent would be another type of break. Muddy discharge from a brook or stream into clear water creates a break. On Lake Ontario, flat chunks of bedrock the size of a house can create a break, especially if it's split, and there's a wide crack - think road bed with a drainage ditch on the side in a flooded reservoir.

@Catt thanks for starting this one!

Python. Why? Because it looks cool, and I can see it easily. Sometimes, the biggest fish just quietly slurp the thing, and if it's gone, you can set the hook.

Wow, sounds like well thought out bait! Thanks for the details.

One single Popmax lure has accounted for more fish in the past two years than hundreds of dollars in other baits, and it's not like that's the only bait I throw. I don't think it's hype, and I don't think it's expensive from an ROI perspective.

I see the two crimps in the rivet, and I think I see a bait holder on the hook shank. Is there anything else that sets this apart? Or is it just sort like a Cavitron - rip it out of the package, tie it on, throw it, and get bit?

Any surface lure is fun.

No clue. I don't feel like the merger would be good for the consumer, ultimately.

I meant the SEC approval part. Generally the type of thing you mention would be shaken out in due diligence.