islandbass

I think the look of Jerry is one of confusion and not surprise and you got me a bit puzzled as to why you want the op to start with laying braid on the spool first instead of the backing. This is where you got me. Now if you meant to say mono, I think I see what you’re recommending. Help a brother out! Being unable to visualize this is driving me a bit nutty, lol.

I was about to ask the same thing as Tim. Looks like you found your issue. Frequent reties is a given in finesse fishing. Equally important is the quality of the knot tied. If the fish are still strong enough to violently shake off to break off, perhaps it was a bit premature to conclude they were ready to grab. I would have to actually see you in action because I’ve caught lots of smallies in the 3-4 range never lost one to a bad or weak knot UNLESS I let laziness in checking my knot supersede my usual aversion to fishing knowing full well it was time to check my knot.

Nothing wrong with modern 2 piece rods from a reputable company like st croix. ‘Nuff said, especially if it’s a necessity to begin with. You won’t be losing much if anything in the sensitivity department either. As one who uses mostly 2-piece rods for everything since they need to fit in my trunk, these rods see more action than my 1-piece bass rods unless it’s the weekend and I can fish all day.

Yes. Depending on how much line you have on the spool, I would remove much of the line so that the knot doesn’t come into play on a cast. I’d remove enough to have the spool only 10-20% left with the new line on top. This would also be the spot I will tie on new line when the time comes. If you want to get the most out of your spool, make sure it is optimally filled. ?

This is my length too as a general start. It’s not too long or short. Your actual conditions might influence this length as has already been mentioned.

Why do you think you “have” to choose a lefty when it’s painfully clear you are not comfortable fishing that way? There is no shame which side you go with and what’s that to anyone else or why would it matter what they think? You’re spending your hard earned cash and not them. The sad thing that would happen is if you chose the whatever sided reel to please the masses. As for those who switch hands, it’s normal for them and they’re accustomed to it. Vice versa for those who retrieve the other way. A smaller category are are those that fish left on spinning and fish right with casting. Is this you? If so, no big deal. As already mentioned, you have to but what is comfortable and works for YOU. And in the words of Metallica, “and nothing else matters.”

The 2000 will generally be a little lighter and hold a little less line but not much less. Its other benefit is a lighter overall weight and ample line supply. The 2500 obviously holds more line if your conditions demand it. Therefore a slightly heavier overall weight with compensation for needed line capacity. Need more line? Go 2500. If not, 2000. I don’t use 1000 sized reels because my reels usually need to pull double duty for bass and salmon. Also, I think the smaller spool might have a smaller line recovery rate and they look too weird to me, lol.

I won't recommend rod brands because the whole thing is too subjective to be worth much. However, I can tell you that for the typical finesse scenario, a medium light powered rod is the weapon of choice for the drop shot. Some drop shot rods can handle a ned rig, when would be ideal, and some not so well. Typical lure weight rating is about 1/8 to 3/8 oz, give or take. I prefer no more than a 7' rod for the length. Line of choice is 6# fluoro or mono. Now is not the time to be messin' around with braid main line and fluoro leader. If mono, braid and fluoro are equal for finesse and you use fluoro, you lost nothing. If they are not equal, you just might find more hits with fluoro over braid and now, you've gained a little edge. Personal experience has allowed me to see more hits with fluoro over braid, and 6# mono also beat braid. Also, choose a limper fluoro if you can. There are raves on Tatsu and our fellow anglers here have sold me on it, but I haven't gotten around to trying it. I can recommend SeaGuar's Invizx because I've used it and at 6# test, it is remarkably supple. If you want to experience the true awesomeness of finesse, you have to "let your normal feelings" of bass fishing where we crave that powerful rod. You have to let that go, and it might be difficult. Go medium light in the power. I can't emphasize this enough. I have and love my lamiglas certified pro 7' ML rod, dubbed the "drop shot special" Let's just say it's not a fair fight when I'm using 6# fluoro. Reel size, I like 2000, but 2500 is also good. Gamakatsu drop shot or Owner mosquito hooks in size 2 and you're set. Now go get 'em.

That is usually a sign of line laid onto the spool loosely. The spool will look like it will overrun but never does. If if this is what is meant by a wind knot then it’s not a show stopping issue. The culprit is as I mentioned and this is common when dealing moreso with lighter or less aerodynamic lures that are cast a long way. The other possibility is line dig is occurring but is it not severe or deeply buried enough to cause a birds nest or stop the spool from continuing to spin. Part of the game game when dealing with braid @ 30# test or less.

@Flatrock just in case, I want you to know my post wasn’t directly posed to you. -ib

Prayers and thoughts with you coach. I don’t think I could possibly add to the sentiments that have already been expressed.

What do you mean?? You’ve inspired me to make one! (J/j) I remember the first time learning about territoriality is a sociology class I had to take. I thought it was a bunch of pseudo science gobble dee ****. I was wrong. It exists everywhere, even in the animal kingdom. Boat angler encroaches in the “space” of a bank angler... vice versa. Both get mad. What in the h-e double hockey sticks. You’re both freakin grown ups so act like one. Just make sure you don’t intentionally cross lines and let the bass choose whose lure it wants to take. Problem solved. As already mentioned, try talking it out. I’m a shore angler and if the guy is a jerk, who thinks I should move because he is in a tournament, I’d stand my ground. I couldn’t give a rat’s phanny. He doesn’t own the water any more than I do. Either we fish the same area at the same time or he can leave as easily as he entered.

Wish I could do that, but my state doesn’t allow that unless I pay for the two fishing pole fee! To the topic, float with a nightcrawler when targeting pan fish. bass fishing wise, anything dead sticked, is lazy for me.

Thanks MN.

I will never drink lemon line flavored original Gatorade on a bass boat or any boat ever again, lol. We guys don’t really have an issue. But what about women? Serious question.

Holy smokes. If I were drinking something, I would have spit some of it out and some if it might come out of my nostrils, laughing so hard. Thanks for the info, way2. I’m tied up over the weekend but looking forward to digging in. If jbsoonerfan turns out to be right, you’ll be hearing me laughing and crying all the way from Seattle.

Thanks. I think that this extra information from the image and what you provided will help. To be honest, I don't think your math skills are gone or lacking. The author seemed to love rehashing and simplifying things to the point he never needed to "go the long route" so to speak. It reminded me somewhat of finding the derivative the "long way" when you should have told me the derivative of 5x^3 is 15x^2, lol. Remember that? Honestly, I don't know why I do. I noticed the same thing reading the author's words. Engineers don't mind the extra mathematical details, but I think this guy must be a mathematician at heart because only a mathematician would enjoy or fully appreciate the elegance and beauty of such simplification AND be so ready to share it with others, lol. I had one college prof who was like that. He said, how many of you are EE majors? I raised my hand as did many others. The answer to a problem was the square root of 2 (yeah, with the radical symbol, that looks like an adopted step brother of the division sign). Do you know why we write this as the square root of 2? Why don't we write this a 1.414...? It went from that to imaginary numbers and that EE "love" to deal (his words) with them, and back to something about trigonometry. I honestly don't know how he fit all that math onto the chalkboard and still be so neat. It was a great ride, but he did forget to teach the day's lesson, lol.

Green trout ditch pickle nw names said about bass by some trout/salmonid pursuers.

I love smuckers. I love concord jelly. Who knew I’d be sandwiched between Catt and JF, lol. As as weird as you do it Catt, it is functional and does the job. The beauty of peanut butter is that it really doesn’t matter which sweet thing you pair it with... jelly honey jam bananas syrup this sandwich was a staple back in my snowboarding days.

Get a decent size 20 reel. That is what I use on my 7' UL. The wider spool should aid in getting more distance for the same effort. Not all size 20 reels weigh the same. Some are lighter than others. Size 20 is the smallest I go, even for a UL 6'6" or longer.

@Way2slow: I reviewed the information on page 35 and what is written is straight forward geometry. However, I cannot find anything on that page clarifying what the following variables mean: 1) "R" (capital R) 2) that funny "l" or is that a one? I'm hoping it's the number "1" Please send me via email the 4 pages.

It is a bit hard to read but if the algebra involves only solving for one variable or simply plugging in values, it should be straight forward. I wonder if taking photos of the work he work and sending to us via email might be easier. I’ll look into this after I wash the dishes (really), lol.

That is a very interesting app and I hadn’t heard of it. I was nearly tempted to get it but I feared I might use it too much as a crutch if it is that good of an app. So until my mental and physical faculties fail, I will continue to use my brain and two hands to do most everything. Maybe I’ll buy that app when I turn 75, lol. If if my son decides to pursue something in the stem field, I’d get it for him. Thanks for sharing.

Send it my way. I haven’t done math in any capacity for decades now but I have been helping my daughter with college level “algebra”. I am amazed that I still remembered a lot of it and if I didn’t, a quick read of her book and I was like, “oh right. I remember, lol.” I am am hoping to make what is called a hegalong and I know nothing about how to make it. Interestingly enough, whatever mathematics is involved for making this flute might come in handy and at least be some good mental exercise. Send it to me. I did study some EE back in the day but don’t ask me about making a thevenin equivalent circuit, alright, lol? valemax154avvm@rocketmail.com

Congratulations! There aren't many feelings to experience that are as satisfying as catching fish with a lure you made.