J Francho

I get the technique - it works. I can't do it with a spinning reel, but I have no choice with a centrepin. It's actually better than any drag system, when you have a 8-12# steelhead on with a 4# leader. You're in control of the pressure. I get it, just cannot for the life of me get on board with bass fishing, lol. Try it, see what happens. You might like it. Some very good drop shotters use it. Rich Zaleski <cough-cough>...

I fish Upper Saranac every year. Use the graph, find yummy looking points, and drop shot for multitudes of smallies. Find coves with good laydowns, break out the jig and have at it. Throw topwaters at night - but watch it, you might catch a huge a northern pike.

You aren't going to get much wider than 33". It'sl all hull design. Look for a good condition, used boat. Get some seta time to decide if it's truly a stand up model.

The answer is: talk to the dealer that sold you the boat.

You just gotta get time under your belt. I've used flashers, chunky old pixellated screens from the 90s, B&W, etc...you'll get what you need out of the simplest graph.

It' actually easier to accomplish in a smaller craft. I really enjoy map work from my kayak. Oh, 83 or hybrid to find the trench/ditch, and 200 when you want to see the nitty gritty details. Unless you're fishing in 200' of water, lol. Then you'd just use 200.

OEM may have their own specs that are more granular or just plain different than ABEC ratings. ABEC scale is generally is more used for comparison for high RPM applications. Anything ABEC 3 or better is fine for a reel. And yeah, online retailers sometimes lie about what their selling - this isn't new news, lol. Pretty sure companies like Boca, VBX, Hawgtech, Smooth Drags, and others wouldn't risk their reputation on unethical business practices.

Look on the shoreline for inlets. Then read the super structure, and analyze the bottom material. Since the "ditches" as you call them are created during times of high flow at these inlets, you aren't going to find anything accurate on a map. They change. Look for those high percentage spots, and then narrow down the bottom contour with your graph. I have a number of lakes that have creeks running into them, and they're different after every high flow event, like rains, snow melt off, draw down, etc.

Especially the lefty, if you're a right handed caster like me. Very cool reel for this. I didn't think anything could replace my coveted TD_X HSDLs...

Flipping and pitching are just casting techniques. You should be able to do both with any rod and reel you own, including spinning. Flipping doesn't involve free spool casting, so spool performance matters little. Just find a reel with a good drag that's comfortable in your hand. For pitching, I like loose spool, and simple centrifugal brakes or an induction hub system, like Daiwa Mag-X/Z. If you're looking to fish heavy cover, a strong metal frame and a powerful, yet smooth drag will be important. I'll say this, I pitch cast probably 10x as much as I flip. In fact, a flip usually happens at the end of a pitch, when I see something close, but my bait isn't quite in the spot. Use a flip to put it there.

I throw 1.5 oz. jika punch rigs that I make myself out of bass hooks, split rings and trolling weights. Creativity and problem solving are what created the rigs we commonly use now. Have at it, see what works and what doesn't, and report back!

Once you go past trim, you should go into tilt, and the motor should go almost horizontal. Flip the lever, and lower the motor. It's tight, and the motor rides pretty flat. You may have to turn the wheel all the way to get it to work. If it it doesn't work, I'd say the question of "why" would be one for the boat dealer you purchased the boat from.

Larry Dahlberg

You want to puke on launch fees, come on up to the northeast, lol.

Sounds more like bubba shotting. I don't bother with a leader when I bubba shot heavy cover. Fish don't care about the braid. And you're right - there's many ways to skin a cat. A drop shot is a TERMINAL RIG, not a specific bait or style. Lots of ways to fish it, and it solves a ton bait placement problems.

Ever try to double up 25# line on a 1/0 or #2 drop shot hook? For smallies in open water, I'll go down to a #6, if I'm using a tiny bait.

No political posts, please.

Either.

Weeds, 15-20# braid and 6-10# leader. Bubba, 50-80# braid and 12-25# leader. Deep drop, 6# fluoro (Tatsu).

Online store is still operational, last I checked. Just the brick and mortar shop is affected. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

I'll put out the call....

Yeah, phone has never been great. There should be an option to show only "unread posts" instead of all. Admittedly, I'm a rookie on the new app, too.

Ctrl - click the link - in many browsers, this opens the link you hit to open in a new window. List in one tab, topics each get another tab.

Dave passed away some months ago. Sorry to pass the news this way. Mike at DVT is a friend of mine, site sponsor, and a really outstanding reel tech. Highly recommend him, not to mention he gives a discount to BR members.

Black primer, then a couple coats of satin clear.