islandbass

Sorry. I feel for you and I know I’d be feeling exactly like you, heck even if it were an ugly stik. I’be had my share or breaking rod tips.

Great report! Dang that sounded like a blast of a trip.

Exelente! Whew. I thought it was my wifi, lol.

Another vote for goo gone. And it also smells really nice too.

I missed one goal of getting that first jig and pig bass and I came close but no cigar. I started experimenting with adding weight 1/8oz to 1/4oz to change the rate of fall of a senko and see what that does. I personally didn’t like how the senko fell but I am glad it didn’t make me change my mind. What do you know. I caught bass. Maybe sometimes when that shimmy slow descent is not what they want and it’s true. I just caught last week what will probably be my last bass of the season. You guessed it… 3/16 oz bullet weight and t-rigged senko. Got to the lake at about 6:25pm. Sunset was at 6:47pm so not much time. In my haste unfortunately, I mistakenly rigged the bullet backwards. Because the sun’s clock was working against me I said screw it and fished with it as it was. I was on the lake’s dock and I cast it here and pitched it there and nothing. Then a thought. Let me skip it. I hardly ever skip baits. Ever. Either it’s not on my radar or okay. It’s never on my radar. I got it to skip four times which I thought is not bad since I don’t practice use this technique. Four skips and a faster than normal descent of a senko in about 5-6 of water fairly close to the dock’s walking bridge. The backward facing bullet caught some grass so I ripped it to break free from the grass. Then I felt that “mushy” sensation so I pull back just to get enough tension to get some feedback and the line went limp. Instinct took over. She’s swimming toward me. 😎 She’s about 10’ away and close enough to the surface that I can see her and she’s got this nonchalant look about her as if she doesn’t know she’s hooked. Her demeanor changed when she was about 5’ away (I guess she saw me) and she got active really fast and really tried to get away. I brought her in took a few pics and released her. I believe my goal with using a little weight to senkos was successful. To this point, I never felt the need to add weight to a 5” senko but I wanted to find out how this would change the presentation equation whether it was a positive or negative outcome. There might be something to a reversed bullet weight for sandy and grassy bottoms. 😂 Trying to catch bass from the shore in western Washington starts to suck by mid November so I think that will probably be the last bass until next year. No worries. It’s time to target salmon anyway. Lastly, this is the ONLY time I ever take selfie photos. I used to just extend my arm and take a picture of the fish but folks ask, “How do I know that’s your arm holding the fish?” That’s not real proof, Lol. 😂

What a fish! Is that an albino peacock bass?

@jejenkyns: indeed. Of course it’s a choice and both bc and spinning reels can handle senkos. Peeling line is okay, but I wouldn’t want to do that over 200 casts or if it’s deep as you mentioned. That’s a PITA and wasted energy/effort. Not only that, the potential if you don’t pull off enough line and fast enough is that the senko will pendulum away from your intended target instead of dropping into the intended target. With that said, I use both reel types but depending on the situation, the spinning outshines the bc the deeper you go if you have to pull line off. Pulling line off to drop to 20’ is maddening, but I still do it when forced to, lol.

I have also caught a bat with a jig and plastic. On my home lake, bats keep me company and I enjoy watching them whizzing around eating the bugs. I had finished my retrieve and propped my rod on the dock rail and so my jig was dangling. Then after watching some bat acrobatics, it swooped down and went for the jig. The hooks point caught the middle part of one wing but it was so lightly hooked it freed itself before I could react. It was a cool but strange experience one in which I’m glad I didn’t have to free it. ?

How much do those large nettle spins weigh? If they’re at least 1/4oz, any good bc reel worth its weight should be capable of tossing it. As for the line, I don’t have experience here, but I would use the lightest line I can get away with given the environment I’m facing. If mono or fluoro, I’d start with 8-10# test and make any necessary adjustments. One thing to keep in mind if you have to make long casts into a strong wind. They’re akin to spinnerbaits and as a result, a spinnerbait’s less than stellar aerodynamics at times will need a vigilant thumb. The wind can slow the lure’s progress just enough to cause a little bird nest or overrun if you don’t use your thumb to compensate. Last thing, reels are tools. Both reels can handle many applications quite well. However one type might excel where the other might be lacking. Therefore, it is my humble opinion that it behooves bass anglers have both at the ready as opposed to using only one type. There have been many a time where I was in situations where I brought only one type or the reel I needed to use was out of commission— and boy, I wish I had the other because of the conditions. Even if you have 10 bc reels to 1 spinning reel, you’re covered, lol ??

I hate the sound braid makes when it rubs hard against the guides. Sounds like an evil violin. I hate that sound on TV and I hate that sound from the angler next to me. But if it’s my rod, shoot… That’s music to my ears. ??

Every time my reel is in free spool with a fish on is because unintentionally pressed the thumb bar. It doesn’t happen often but it can happen. Fortunately, my thumb is always ready every time I make that rookie mistake and it serves as my drag until I find the opportunity to get out of free spool mode. @Zodiack Can you describe what that clicking sound is? I have never heard that sound but my reels are old so maybe that’s why. I am having trouble visualizing this. Thanks.

What reel were you planning to use? I know many of the shimano reels are saltwater worthy BUT you have to wash them down with freshwater after each outing and wipe them down. Personally, I don’t half a$$ on this as I am anal with my gear because I want them to last. I also take them apart (not for a complete overhaul) just to see if any traces of saltwater, and other particulates might have been missed. Wipe them down dry them and I might go over it with some rubbing alcohol to remove any fishiness and grime. Some manufacturers tell you if a particular reel might not be saltwater worthy. For example, I have that tan colored pflueger trion bc reel and they stated in the manual NOT FOR USE IN SALTWATER, lol. I have used all of my Shimano reels — my symetre, curados, cardiff and my sienna in the salt with zero issues.

Welcome and greetings from Washington State!

If it’s a worm bait, like a senko type, the first one and preferably without the offset. I would use the ewg if I don’t have the first style. I don’t mind using ewgs for creature baits. My childlike imagination likes them to be the bottom thing you see under some boats. ??

If your cover allows it, I like ML for finesse and DS. M for me is a decent universal, almost so all rod. Light trigs (3/16 or 1/4) creatures, worms, single tail thingies, weightless senkos, smaller cranks and jerks (it will do if you don’t have this niche filled), top water, and heavier drop shot. Speaking for my neck of the woods mostly.

@Ohioguy25: I don’t think so. If that really damaged a Stradic, then Shimano better go back to the drawing board. I really can’t add to the great input given. I can only second what’s already been said and from personal experience, I learned that the greater resistance a lure has on the retrieve, you really “feel” or “sense” with a spinning rig, even if it has a “low” gear. I was in a situation just earlier this week where I only had a Medium spinning rig and I threw on a tandem spinnerbait and it felt like I was retrieving a boot, lol. But you use what you have on hand.

Welcome, fellow pacific northwesterner! You’ve already been given great advice. 6# mono would be a solid choice and your set up is likely geared toward trout and panfish but barring heavy cover, it would be a blast to fight bass (especially smallies) with such a rod. My lightest rod in my arsenal is a L/UL okuma celilo rod and it has caught more fish than all of my other rods added up.

I try to keep a small plastic bag but when I don’t have one and there aren’t any trash cans around, I put it in my ocheechobee tackle bag. They’re small and don’t take up any room. Then when I opt to clear out the bag, that’s when those tag ends go I. The trash.

…caught a bass on a jig and pig. NEVER ?

@Justbass11: for asking such a question on this site, all the bait monkeys have laid down their verdict — GUILTY. on a serious note, if they all serve you a purpose, then no. You cannot have too many. Your arsenal could probably use 2-3 more spinning setups. ?

Any bc reel worth its salt should be able to cast 3/8oz without a problem. For all intents and purposes, 3/8oz is practically 1/2oz and I don’t view these two weights as light, kind of “just right,” like the baby bear. There is only a 0.125oz difference. Even a Walmart special rhino casting reel can handle this. Imho, the rod is the more critical factor. If the weight of your lure falls within the weight range of the rod, you should be good to go. If you are experiencing casting troubles still, it may be an issue of casting mechanics and/or the reel settings.

I know we’ve never met but it’s great to see you back! -ib

I see nothing your with your choice of reel for your UL rig. If anything, the 2500’s larger spool size might give you slightly longer casts for the same effort. The only “downside” I can think of is that a 2500 sized spool can hold a lot of 4# mono or 10# braid such that you might want to consider filling a portion the spool with a backing. For example, a typical filler spool of 10# braid is probably 150 yards. You’re going to probably need more than one filler spool to fill your 2500 sized spool. That is the plus With a smaller sized reel. That said one of my UL reels is a 2000 sized reel and I’m glad it’s that size. 4-6# mono is what I generally use.

The joining knot of choice for me is the Albright knot. My reasons: 1) It works very well with all lines 2) It also works in cases in which the lines joined might vary greatly in line diameter. Some line joining knots might not be ideal for those cases. 3) It is easy to tie, including in the field. The FG knot seems to have a solid reputation and that is good. However, for me, it seems more labor intensive and time consuming to do, particularly out in the field and because I hardly ever put myself in situations where I need to join two lines, I don’t see the need to learn or master it. So I have neither love nor hate for the FG knot. I just don’t have a use for it. I digress but the use of the word literally is used so much (and I have family members who use that word often. I’m in my 50s and those that seem to use that are in their teens to later 20s) when it is not needed — at all. Do I take umbrage for its poor and unnecessary use in the many instances they use that word? No, but I do chuckle … literally. ? See? I could have just put a period after the word chuckle and the thought is conveyed succinctly and completely. Use of that word was not needed. I can credit my grammar teachers who promoted the idea of being succinct and I apologize that I was not in this thread. Mr. James, my 7th grade grammar teacher would probably give me a B- if he graded my thread. ?

I live in state where it is legal and when it became legal, dispensaries popped up seemingly overnight. I Won’t try it and have no desire to, and I REALLY HATE HOW IT SMELLS. Period. I’m normally a calm, carefree kind of guy, but the slightest unwilling inhalation of the smell of weed wafting through the air on account of some stoner smoking it really ticks me off. On the musician side of me, I never ever want to lose any motor skills when playing so I won’t smoke it (anyway) or drink alcohol. I also agree it doesn’t necessarily make you play better and if my band mates were stoned, I have witnessed a marked decline in their skills/playing such that I won’t play or jam for a real set let alone practice. I have observed that their creativity in writing did seem boosted amid the hunger and the paranoia, lol. Not me. Not ever. Natural human endorphins like adrenaline are way better than the most potent drugs out there without the I’ll effects.