J Francho

Unless I was throwing very light jerkbaits on spinning gear, I'd prefer to use a MXF rod with copoly - CXX in my case - for the reasons Hoolkigan outlined.

Yes to the snap, but not that one. I'd use a #3 Duo Loc.

When I tie an improved clinch for spinnerbaits and buzzbaits knot there's no trimming involved - I end up with a 1/4" to 1/2 " tag, which actually helps keep junk from catching on the knot. Uni knots for jigs and worm hooks leave a couple inches, and I trim them almost flush to the knot. Palomars and Alberto connections leave the most. Not much you can do about it.

The beard adds at least an ounce.

I have better success with hard jerkbaits. Due to the design of the bait, the presentation is more precise. need a bait that dives to 8' and suspends? I have one. With a soft bait, I'm guessing. I prefer soft stuff for surface, or just subsurface. Otherwise, it's a hard bait.

Hard jerkabaits narrow in design? You haven't done your homework, or put enough time in them. Depth, rattles, no rattles, knockers, Suspending, sinking, floating, subtle roll, erratic walk the dog,...the list goes on. Go to any popular lure site and do a search on jerkbaits. I think you'll be surprised.

Wegman's has them.

Lose your privilege to fish in one of these states, and you lose it in all: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Interesting, fishing without a license is a misdemeanor in NY.

Not a direct threat to anyone in particular, just those that think it's not a big deal. We have a ton of poaching up here in NY, and a few guys that don't care can ruin things. (null)

Well, scoff all you want. Come to New York with the attitude that you'll just take the ticket. If you cross my path, be advised I have several DEC Econ officers on speed dial. I don't tolerate that crap one bit.

Good luck with that plan....NYS DEC Police will confiscate everything used in the process of catching fish. How do I know? A pair of guys took illegal limits of steelhead, stored them in their camper. Guess what? Camper, truck, rods, reels, and all the rest of their stuff taken, and they were sentenced to a jail term. They also cannot get a get a license in NY, and I believe more than half the states have reciprocity rules.

OMG, hilarious.

I like my Saint Croix LTB Teaser (LTBC70MF) for this type of stuff. Loads easily, yet has plenty of backbone.

I don't risk it anywhere.

Not my PB largemouth (no pics) but 1 oz. shy at 7-1. And my PB smallie, 5-12, caught in the back of wnybassman's boat:

Fouling isn't that big an issue. I think I fouled up three times last weekend, in an 8 hour tournament. No better or worse than any other bait.

I had my flippy-floppies on....

I use the J-Will hooks from Buckeye on my big rigs, and while I don't set the hook hard, just let the fish load up, the stretch in fluoro might be an issue. Those are ptryy thick hooks on those jigs, even though they are exposed.

Great info, Dwight!

They are offered in many sizes. Quantums 100 and 200, Daiwa 100 and 103 shallow spools. Shimano 50, 100, 200, and 300 sizes. DO a little window shopping, and note whether models have a shallow spool, or "U" shaped deep spool. Compare line capacity as well.

Thanks. I actually do have this matted and framed at home. It's a weird crop, since my feet and a bit of the camera strap are in the bottom of the original. Looks good mounted 12" wide in a big 14x16" frame in a custom mat I cut myself.

Used to go on murderous rampages against woodchucks when I was a teenager.

I use a finesse rig too, but I still use braid. No issues getting bit.

I wouldn't dream of using fluoro with an umbrella rig. 50# original Power Pro works great for me.

Good stuff, Paul!