J Francho

Speaking of.....baitmonkey has been quiet lately....

Never used that other braid, Power Pro, Power Pro 8 Slick, and Suffix 832 have all been working well for me. I've used 30# as well. I find it's a little too big for lighter baits, but for the stuff you mentioned, it will work fine and you'll have some TOUGH line for sure.

Two words: Lucky Craft (no issues, always run true straight out of the box - you get what you pay for) Seriously, this is why I simply stopped buying cheap baits. After a while, I got sick of spending $40 on a pile of cheap baits to get one that ran true, and then wasting time and gas going back to the store to return the defective baits. It's easier just to save up for the $12-$20 bait, and get it right the 1st time.

I use 15 and 20# Power Pro on my spinning reels with no issues.

All of the above. All things equal, i.e. blade combination and size, a heavier spinner bait can run deeper at the same retrieve, or faster at the same depth as a lighter bait. You let the fish be the judge of what retrieve is right. And 1/2 oz. chartreuse double willows are a good starting point for smallies.

Most guys already have a medium/fast rod already - no need to add a specialty rod to the arsenal for something like a an inline spinner.

If you are referring to this: http://www.bassresou...81#entry1104181 Rules are rules. I've been tasked to enforce them. Calling me out "anonymously" does not change anything. There is a policy in place, should you feel you've somehow been wronged. I suggest reviewing the Forum Rules and FAQ with these regards:

Try and sink it in the shallows. As kids we used to have a 10' jon with a big hole in it that we played in the lake we grew up on. We called it "the sinking boat" lol. All it had were a couple of stro blocks under the seats and it floated just fine.

Hook and lost is what probably got 99% here in the first place.

12# P-line CXX

I like a relatively faster reel or jigs and Texas rig presentations, but I got along fine back in the day with my "high speed" 5:1 reels. Today, anything faster than 28 IPT is fast enough.

I'll be in a kayak on this water soon enough. I'm not a bass, so I'm not afraid. Or maybe I should be? I am the pike whisperer...

No. A moderate taper rod initially has MORE of the rod bending with slight pressure at the tip. What I'm referring to is NOT tip action, but how the rod behaves under full load. A medium power rod will have more bend with less load, and protect from slack line, so long as there is enough length. A 6' rod is usually plenty.

Teach her to use a baitcaster. Problem solved.

I find that prefishing myself is the best formula for tournament success. No substitute for time on the water.

You lose fish because you don't play them properly, not because the hooks pull out. I'm a big proponent of slower, longer, lighter power rods with treble hooks, but in this case, when you need to have some control over the bait, a fast taper works better. A lower power will bring more flex into the rod, and protect against those moments when a fish fish gets the slip on you, and you lose pressure on them. Same goes for other "special circumstance" treble hook baits, like jerkbaits and topwater spooks. You'd think the "tear out myth" would apply there as well, but it doesn't. Many, many use a shorter, lower power , extra fast rod for this. It's the lower power, the extra flex into the midsection at just moderate loads that protects the hooks, not a slow tip. in fact, the more and more I analyze a rod, both while working a lure, and working a fish, it's the mid section transition that is crucial to getting fish in the boat, not the tip.

Wrong. A short, overpowered rod with little flex, and low stretch line might do this. A medium to medium-light power, fast tip rod will work fine for this application. Has for decades for me.

When water temps are rising, and touch off at the 55-60° range for the first time in spring, get ready. They should be active.

I don't know? Pike? Otter? Snapper?

Look at those slobs! I can't get past 50%!!!!

Ummm, it sounds like you attacked the sport of fishing fine that day. Skipping a tournament to go smallie fishing IS full throttle.

About the only thing I leave behind when in a tournament are the swimbaits. It's not really because I don't think I could catch a winning limit with them, it's just I don't know enough about using them to be as confident as I am with other baits. I do hear guys say, "alright, I got a limit, now I can upgrade!" and A LOT. I never got it either. I catch a keeper rat, and I'm saying, "I hope you don't spend much time in the livewell." All the fish caught are a gift, even the dinks. I guess I don't make much out of fun/rec fishing and tournament fishing. If it isn't a tournament, I might intentionally cross my buddy's line, or throw a dink at him. But really, the only difference is where the five biggest fish go, and when I break out the camera for snaps. Fun/rec, we take pics as we catch them, and toss them back. Tournaments, wait until the weigh in for pics.

Water temps can be a little cool, outside of July and August heat. I just wear my regular breathable chest waders, and roll the top down to my waist, and tuck it in the wading belt.

I use 20# braid with a 12# CXX leader. An Alberto knot makes the connection. For the hook, 99% of the time, I use a Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse Hook, no weed guard, snelled, and nose hook the fluke. The rod is a 6' 9" m/x-fast.

Any. No preference, so long as the rod is suited to the cover. I will say, I don't like monstrous rear grips when I'm sitting.