islandbass

Update: It turns out there must be 6 or more people or else they would have to notify the WDFW, so they’re off the hook, lol. It sux that I live in a tax and fee happy state. They milk me such that I have to buy a freshwater license and a salt water license. Also, you are not a “senior” to get the $7.50 senior license rate. Anyone 15-69 must pay: FW $29.50 SW $30.05 combination license: $55.35 Shellfish: $17.40 The one redeeming quality that keeps me here is the ? evergreen. Peace.

Funny you mention this, because I was going to tell you this - unless the law has changed in my state, WA state you CANNOT have any kind of wager for fun, even among friends without notifying WDFW (WA Dept of Fish and wildlife) first. How ironic that they’re coming to my state, lol.

I’d have to say yes. Compared to other rods in about the same class, I’d have to say yes. Shimano, Daiwa and many other rod makers have decent rods in the $50-$75 range that would be superior to the ugly stik in terms of weight, sensitivity, and components. I am not knocking Uglies. Far from it. They have their place, purpose and market. Since you are willing to spend $150 on a combo, you can go 50/50. $75 buys a whole lot of spinning reel for sure. just as an example, you can get a 2500 Shimano Sahara or Sedona for about $75-$90 or so and spend the rest on the rod. If you want to put a little more money in the rod, then drop down to Shimano or Daiwa’s reels in the next lower class. Because spinning reels are pretty decent in quality from the Nexave level, you can definitely put more $ into the rod. Bottom line naturally falls on you. A fair warning. Once you move up in level or class of rod or reel, it is very difficult to go “backward.” Period. Well, almost period. Budget trumps bait monkey urges once more quality gear becomes a part of your arsenal, lol.

I am not saying line visibility is not a factor. It can be. No doubt. Line visibility is one factor, but not the only factor. There are other factors like line diameter, and fish activity level. Heck, even the lure you’re using, location and water clarity. Even budget, lol. You are already heading in the direction because you are asking such questions. Much respect and hats off to you. This will help you become a better angler. All you have to do now is test your hypothesis. Bring a rig with fc line about the same diameter and see if you catch more or less fish and see how it stacks up to your braid. Next, try another line and do the same using the same lure. Also note the water clarity and fish activity level. Just keep in mind that fc lines can vary greatly in their temperament. Some are “hard and wirey” and others might be supple and the former might be difficult to manage on spinning reels in the finesse realm greater than 8# test. My bar is 6# invizx for drop shot. This wirey trait doesn’t seem to be much of an issue if at all with casting reels.

Based on refractive index, I would guess fluoro carbon. I think you are giving the fish too much credit and/or intelligence. However, if we took your theory to heart, then a lot of people using braid would have low catching numbers, but more often than not, we know fish are caught with braid. We are in the heart of summer and you’ve brought up a topic for winter and cabin fever, lol. Perhaps in the most extreme clear water cases line choice and fish activity level might make a difference. Bottom line, use whichever line you think will work best. You’ll find out whether your assumption is true soon enough.

Holy smokes! No doubt you can control the USS Enterprise that set up ? ?

For me, it is the sniper snub but they are no longer made. 3” senkos roboworms french fry worms I am willing to drop shot just about anything, lol.

I go by the overall weight of what I’m fishing. Unfortunately, many applications can be fished very well with either. Everything you mentioned for “spinning” can actually also be done with casting gear with the appropriate bc reel. Everything you mentioned for “casting” can easily be done with spinning reel. You just better have the right powered spinning rod and that can be a bit of a challenge since seeing heavier powered spinning rods that are bass intended is a small market. And with BFS reels, many can handle those lighter lure applications. In addition some rigs like the drop shot are not an exclusively “finesse” tactic. It simply means the weight is under the hook. Just it’s commonly used for finesse, means nothing. If I decide to use say a 1/2 weight and a larger hook, and fish it near some lily pads, it’s still “drop shotting.” Actually, I call that “Alpha” shotting, lol. For me, both reels are simply “tools” for me to employ and I will choose one over the other if it is the better choice. Else, I use both for many tactics. Fish on.

That’s cool. It’s what we use in the Pacific Northwest for trout and salmon and basically anything else when trebles aren’t permitted. They’ve also been used for decades before I started fishing. I do see your point and the issue you pointed out could be alleviated with the use of an appropriately sized split ring. Matter of fact, when I build my inline spinners, more often than not, I incorporate a split ring. What you illustrated about siwash hooks is something I never even considered so much appreciated. With that said, I’ve not experienced any downside to using them for any species, both with and without the split ring. My preference when possible is to use a split ring, but it won’t be a showstopper if I don’t have a split ring to use. I have seen fish take my siwash-armed inline spinners and spoons from just about every conceivable attack angle - from the side, underneath, and especially from the rear. I cannot say it as a fact, but I can say based on observation, that the hook lying horizontally has not reduced hook ups. Bottom line, they sure beat trebles on in-line spinners and spoons for me, lol.

Use siwash hooks. They are strong and that’s what we use when switching trebles for single hooks, since sometimes for us, trebles are verboten. As for the size of the hook, it is probably a good rule to choose a single siwash hook that is the same size as one of the three tines of the treble.

What happens if you do? Legit question. I’ve never scuba dived but I just assumed you could just inhale to breath on an as needed basis. Learn something new everyday. No fears of anything already stated. Heights? The higher the better Snakes? No problem bit now MN gotten me a little scared to try scuba diving lol. JJ I know I’ll try scuba diving some day. UPDATE! I am afraid to try fly fishing. Why? Because I might like it so much and my casting and spinning gear might become glorified dust collectors, lol.

Good one! I’ve had experience in sales too and I already know what they’re going to say after the first, second and third no, lol. Soliciting is not allowed in my neighborhood but it doesn’t stop them from knocking on my door. NO X 10^10000000000000.

Sorry to hear about this just now. Prayers and best wishes. May she put the hammer on this. I hate cancer.

Never ever lose tension in the line during the fight… Never. The bigger the fish, the greater chance they can throw the hook if given the chance. Please that what I wrote above is not stated to be directly at you but rather my tenet once the fish is on. I’ve lost enough fish to finally realize what the culprit was. User (me) error every time. Every lost fish when I was a newbie made me feel like a fool. Slack line => the chances of the fish coming off increases toward infinity (ie, certainty) and your chances of landing the fish goes toward the limit of zero. Sorry for the reference to differential calculus, but it’s true, lol.

That’s the best way to eliminate to eliminate the possibility of knots catching. In addition, even any knot used can catch it being mindful of that at all times will go a long way in prevent if not minimize potential overruns.

Absolutely not necessary unless you know that said stock hooks suck out the gate. If that is the case, then this is where you, the uncle step at least the first couple times. To be honest, reputable companies tend to use reputable hooks. After all, their bottom line is on the line so it behooves them to provide them.

Viva la Lobina!!!

I agree it’s crazy but there’s always a choice. I choose not to go the bass boat let alone using electronics, lol. I simply don’t want the hassle of storage, upkeep, etc. With that said, I am not opposed to anyone who chooses to invest what you illustrated very well. More power to them. I am looking forward to reading the future responses in this thread. Cool topic! ?

Glad to see you found your way back home!

Sorry to hear this and please accept my condolences. ?

That reminds me of Jesse venturas line in predator,”I ain’t got time to bleed,” lol.

The thing about musicals is that you’d have to watch them a million times so that the songs settle in your brain. Only then will appreciation be attained my young padawan, lol. Start with classics: Singing in the Rain Sound of Music Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Mary Poppins Hello Dolly ”A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way, lol.”

As you have said in other words, he can only give his perspective, and I take it that like me, you’re fine with that. We all fish different parts of the country and so for me, I will take pro advice to heart and try to apply it. Sometimes it works. A lot of times it doesn’t but I don’t fault them. It just means that it didn’t work for me the in the conditions I’m in but might work in another. And therefore, I need to start tweaking and experimenting until I find a way to coaxes a bite. So the benefit of their advice for me is that it’s a decent foundation and a fair place to start. The idea of spinning them faster in clearer water makes sense because a faster pace should give the bass less time to react and incline them to decide to go for it. The activity level of the bass imho is another factor. If they are very active, they might just strike regardless of the cadence or speed of the retrieve. Bass in the lakes I fish generally don’t care for burned or slow retrieved spinnerbaits from my experience. They seemed to have preferred a “ baby bear” retrieval speed. Just right, so to speak — not too fast and not too slow. Not only that, they seem to also prefer the double willow combo to anything else.

Nice report. I will admit however that I was hoping corndog for a recipe, ? lol. Sweet beavers are killers. ?

What is giving you cause to think those hooks would fail? Are you setting your drag to maximum to possibly be concerned they might fail? If so, then consider setting the drag properly and accordingly. Just curious. With that said, you posed a very good question and the only thing I’d recommend is to go ahead and try those hooks you thought of trying. You might be pleasantly surprised one way or the other. If they work, you add to your Arsenal. If they fail, you will now know they weren’t right for your application. Personally I prefer straight shank hooks but I think given the shape of a tube, I really consider trying an EWG.