islandbass

If it’s a modern two piece rod from a reputable company like daiwa or Shimano (consider looking into their two piece rods in the convergence and compre lines. I have used and continue to use the ones I still have) any loss if any, is negligible. This is coming from someone in whose hands an ugly stik is sensitive. I primarily use two piece rods from a convenience POV even though I also have my one piece rods too.

I didn’t realize that I moved to the Houston area, lol. I put it back to Seattle, lol. Thanks.

This is the truth! I second the motion.

I’ll second casting distance but I’ll clarify a little more. If the rods were identical in every way except in length, say 6.5’ and 7’, then for every cast of the same effort, the longer rod will cast just a little bit farther. Another advantage is more line control, but would be easier seen say between the typical 7’ bass rod and say a 10’ salmon/steelhead rod. The control is more observable. The line control comes in handy when you are targeting prey from a distance including setting the hook. This however, it doesn’t mean shorter rods are obsolete and not by a long shot. Ever try fishing a long rod in close quarters? It’s far easier with a shorter rod, giving the feeling that your rod is more of a light saber than a halberd, lol. Personally, I’ve noticed that shorter rods seem very suitable for jerk baits, top waters and such for me. I still work those lures with my 7’ rods but it just feels better with the shorter rods. Also sometimes too much line control might not be conducive to the technique being employed. For example, when I did my research on the Ned rig, it said shorter rods were preferred. I wondered why but made a mental note. I was lucky enough to catch a bass on my first cast with the Ned rig, definitely pure luck. After I released the bass, I decided to study and observe what happened to my lure as I imparted life to the lure. I was using a 7’ rod because that is what I had with me. I was quite surprised. The slightest movement of my rod made the lure move what I thought was too far. For the next few minutes I tried to compensate for moving the lure too much, or what I thought was too much, and it was difficult. A shorter rod would have made this easier. An adage from my wood working teacher in 6th grade has stuck with me and I ain’t a spring chicken. “Use the right tool for the job.” We all know this and that is why many of have more than one rod. How else would we feed the monkey? ???

For me it’s straight up size 2 whenever possible. I will go to 1 or 4, the next two closest sizes when 2s are not available.

IMHO, none are a must for FC line, but it can be useful for things like the drop shot in ultra clear water and the bite is tough. I don’t think I have ever used fc line greater than 8# test. For cranks,I’d rather have the resilience of mono any day over fc or braid. It’s much more economical too.

It’s all perspective I suppose. I’ve noticed seeing a trend in seeing bass rods getting insanely longer in what I think is “too long” for what I would deem bass rod length, but what do I know, lol? if there’s a demand I suppose such rods will be made. We don’t have smallies in rivers near me, but rivers and current I think are partially what drives the need such lengths. Either that or these Pac NW salmonid chasers are compensating for other “length” issues, lol.

That’s practically standard fair (with the rod actually being a bit on the short side) for targeting salmon and steelhead in my area. I’ve had a salmon spool my 200 curado. I wish I had a 4000 reel during that fight, lol. To the OP, I think in your heart only you know what will suit your needs. One thing I like about spinning rigs is the descent of the lure with the bail open as opposed to having to pull line off with a casting rod. Not a complaint, but an observation.

Yeah, it’s tasty, without the heat. for all my hot sauce loving brethren. Next time you have a white chowder, don’t forget to add your hot sauce. Tabasco and Tapatio a most righteous but any one should do. Back home when I was a kid hot was “in” from age 5. Even the theatres back home had bottles of Tabasco for people to sprinkle it on the popcorn. Sounds weird but it’s good!!

This... ‘nuff said. honorable mentions: Tapatio Louisiana Cholula Good flavor, low heat.

Excellent classical music. That is +10. Now this is going back to the days of Nintendo, Super Nintendo and the Play Station and the classic game called Castlevania. I only played it back in the day on the first two systems. Never had a play station. However, if you played any version of Castlevania, kick back, relax, and let one of my favorite composers, Diwa De Leon, take you to the past and recall how cool some video game music was. By the way, he plays every instrument used and this is his own arrangement. 8-bit music was cool but let’s just say Diwa “kicks it up another notch.” ‘Nuff said.

The monkey is strong in this one. ?(Vader reference, lol) Welcome back to fishing and this site.

I can say with pride that I too am quite proficient at pulling up weeds and such. Post a pic of it if you can.

Perhaps it’s time to get back into lure making. In my case, it’s partly lure finishing, lol. Starting with the two lower baits, they are Rapalas. I broke the DT6 (idiotic move on my part) and I found the jointed shad rap. I am going to attempt to restore them. The chartreuse crank is a plastic molded one I bought from Stamina probably over 10 years ago when I started learning to make lures. For some reason I primed it that color and can’t remember why. ? Oh well. I painted the exact model in parrot ? colors (Rapala parrot) and it caught bass. Not long after that I thought I’d give making a real crankbait a try. The white primed blank you see there is my third flat sided lure I have made from scratch, made maybe 7-8 years ago. It’s so old the white ain’t white anymore, more. I am relieved that my humble design is a fish nailer. I might go silver with a black top but haven’t decided yet. It’s still early fall but in my area many of the low land lakes are closed for the year so it might as well be winter. ? My other goal is to catch a bass in the winter. Never done it so perhaps I get that monkey ? off my back, lol.

Funny! We sometimes joke like that too. My wife usually says something like, “where would you ever find a woman like me?” I usually laugh but I’ve been tempted to say, “wait. Let me find my list first. Now where did I put it?” truthfully, she’s right.

Wow, it looks so clean, not that the old version was dirty, lol. Thanks, Glenn! I like that shield ?in your image. Might have to start calling you Cap. ?

Awesome! But if you ask me, they could almost pass as ear rings. ?

I don’t have the heart to eat a largemouth. I did try smallmouth. I helped an senior lady catch a nice smallie and she took it home. The next day she game me a piece and it was incredible. However, I will credit the taste more to her excellent cooking and seasoning skills. Just my opinion but salt water fish just seem to taste better and I’ve tried trout (50/50) and catfish too. Don’t know how to classify salmon since they’re anadramous, and I’ve caught them in both fresh and saltwater, lol.

Welcome! There’s a gold mine of knowledge here that could help you grow through posts and Glenn’s videos. Great screeen name too! ??

Interesting you say that. I used to prefer Pepsi over Coke but now Pepsi is too sweet for me and I’d chose Coke over Pepsi, even though both of them and many other soda are sugar laden, lol. Rum and Coke sounds good right now and it’s only 0935, lol.

Couldn’t have said it better and the tightening step is crucial in preventing loops on the spool too. I might have a line twist issue maybe once in every 4-500 casts, yup might. As for the loop, only if I forget to tighten the line, lol but it too is rare.

I laughed at that. If I were drinking coffee at the moment I read this, I would have uncontrollably spit it out. Touché.

I agree 100% with your comments on working the the bait. The “wiggle and jiggle it to death” probably accounts for the fewest number of strikes. I work what I call a semi-slack line, for lack of a better description. Not so loose you won’t feel a bite and not so tight like a crankbait is on being tugged at the end. Also, if you haven’t, especially beginners, find 2-3’ deep clear water and drop your rig down and observe. Experiment with different motions. 1) wiggle and jiggle it to death (just to see how you motion affects the bait) 2) make your line fairly taut, such that any tighter your weight will come off the bottom but don’t allow that to happen. Now let your line go a little slack (basically drop your rod tip a bit) and see how your bait moves. Sinking baits will start to descend and floating will react a little differently. You just might be a amazed how much the bait moves and undulates with so little movements. 3) there are other things you can do like a pure dead stick but don’t limit yourself. Drag it to a new spot and repeat. Experiment. Be a student of the technique And if the drop shot still doesn’t work for you, then the fish in your lake or river have COVID-19 and are resting at home recovering. Don’t give up but at the same time be mindful that the conditions are also a factor. There are just some environments where the DS just might not be the ideal choice.

Koz, I am so sorry. My condolences. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

If you look close enough at a gammy drop shot/split shot hook and a gammy octopus hook, they are very similar at the hook and bend but different at the eye. This might be one reason. From my own experience with true DS hooks like the owner mosquitos and the gammy DS, the fish practically set the hook on themselves. When I am forced to use other hooks like octos or bait holder hooks (backups, lol) sometimes I might have to set the hook with a mere flick of the wrist, basically it’s enough moving of the line to make it taut. This is not a “cross the ? eyes” hookset. Another possibility is sometimes when the fish takes your bait, they might have the bait in their mouth in such a way that the hook is not yet in their mouth (long robo worm) That is another possible cause for “missed” fish. I generally use size 2 or 4 You’re hooked now, I bet! Nice hawg!