islandbass

@Jigfishn10: I was trying to convey what bulldog said more completely and not necessarily about fish being toothy. The conjunction “and” instead of “or” was probably the better word to use. The environment might dictate the “stronger” or thicker leader. Btw, I’m with you in reaction purgatory 😇

It is probably because of the species targeted or perhaps the cover. Or, using 15# braid enables them to store more line on the spool. A spool will hold more 15# braid than it would 15# mono or fc line and the angler might benefit from such a scenario. Also, there isn’t an unwritten rule I’m aware that says the main line has to be stronger than the leader, but one of the reasons I would if I had to use a lesser strength leader is for easier break offs when snagged. That said, even using a stronger leader probably won’t matter too much because the weakest point will be the joining knot. I don’t have an answer to your last question though. That one has me stumped. 🤔 looking forward to seeing what others have to say about this one.

I will only recommend going straight braid if and only if you are fishing from a floating device. This is also a real NO (for me) if you are fishing from the shore. Many here giving advice probably fish from a boat and so their advice is good. However, if you are fishing from the shore, I would consider going with mono straight up or mono with your fc leader. Here is why: 1) Even at 15# strength, braid will be very difficult for you to break off. Even if you managed to break the line, there is now a strand of braid floating around for nearly forever in the river because it will hardly break down. Another question - how is your catch rate compared to your friends? About the same, better, or worse? If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side. I am only talking about straight braid that wouldn’t recommend if you’re shorebound. A 4000 size also holds a heck of a line of line so if you decide to use braid so I recommend the advice already given about putting a mono backing, then the rest braid until your leader. One last thing. FC sinks so if you’re fishing poppers and you see a worsening in performance, just switch to a mono leader. Oops. One more thing. I recommend the alright knot to join all your lines. It is a great knot and can be used even when the diameters of the lines to be joined vary greatly in diameter. Personally, I’d stick with the 8# mono and add an 8-10# leader if you “really” have to use or want to try fc.

Here’s mine:

@AlabamaSpothunter Thanks!!!

So like a baitmonkey victim, I clicked on the link for the BayRUF, but couldn’t figure out whether the quantity is for one or for one pack and if the latter, how many in a pack? I looked at other soft plastics and saw the quantity per bag but not on these. Thanks ahead of time for letting me know.

$3.34? You might want to ask them if they put the decimal in wrong spot. 🤣😇

Indeed, Merry Christmas and ho, ho, ho!!! 🎅

This is just me and my lakes. I like using a trailer but 100% of all bass caught with a spinnerbait have been without a trailer. It is my opinion too, that from my experience, I am sometimes finding it harder to feel the vibration from the blades. The vibration just seems more subdued. I wont write them off. I know using a trailer will work some day in the future for me.

We have coyotes too and in a residential setting. Small pets are fair game to them so you have to keep an eye out. Still, they are rarely seen because they don’t want to be seen by humans but they’re around. Small dogs and cats are definitely targets. There are plenty of rabbits, squirrels and possums around so they’re probably more interested in them than domestic pets.

I finally got that monkey off my back this summer. Caught two bass on the traditional skirted jig trailer now. Still, it’s a poor track record for a bass angler, lol. Hang in there! The odds are in your favor to get that monkey off of your back if you keep trying. 😎

For me, crank and jerk baits. I still like them but I’ve been delving into soft plastics for the past few years now. Not only that, as a shore angler, when you snag it, your chances of trying to free it aren’t so great so it’s not cost effective. When I started fishing in 2004, I could get rapalas of all kinds for $3-5 give or take. Today’s prices? Absurd. I taught myself the art of making flat cranks and jerks, but those are time consuming labors of love. They still have a place in my heart because all of my bass were caught on them for the first two years I fished, but they are on the back burner for now.

Great report from a fellow Pacific Northwesterner. Glad you made it home safely too and if it’s any consolation, at least you got on the scoreboard. 👍😎

@Koz: That song never gets old. I was at the local Costco and they had a piano on display so I thought I’d tickle the keys. I played a variety/medley of tunes in Eb (completely random) Misty, Kissing a Fool, How Deep is Your Love, and lo and behold, Survivor’s The Search is Over. 😳😱😝 I always appreciated bands that could rock it hard and still pull off decent ballads. The Eye of the Tiger mentality is a plus in Bass fishing for sure. 👍

Wishing you the best of luck, it have a great time overall. We’ll be rooting for both of you!