MichBassMan

Beacause of breaks at kinks and knot failure I gave up on 100% flouro a couple years ago.

white or green punkin tubes, grn punkin for everything else

Honestly, I dress warmer, thats it!

I use both, however the original is a little stiffer but is tougher in mean cover.

Considering the "ALWAYS" in your question: a weightless t.rigged soft plastic ( senco or french fry) a jig / trailer a t.rigged worm or creature bait a spinner bait

Yes they are, they are very good rods. They do run a little firmer than rated. A medium lite powered rod is about comparitable to a medium power in most other brands. I have a couple spinning rods over 10 yrs old and still use um often.

Weighted I have 2 favs, a worm and a brush hog. Pegged in cover and loose anywhere else. If rigged weightless counts then its a senco, a french fry, and a trick worm, in that order.

Nice fish, I'd say over 3lbs. and under 4lbs.

50 lb. green power pro.

$10 for a tube, with about 500 or more little dabs in each tube it equates to about .02 or (2 cents) per application. It sure don't hurt and makes baits more snagless do to its lubricity. I also smear a little up the first couple feet of my line to lessen abrasion. I'm convinced it makes fish hang on a little longer, even with just a little on my jig trailer. I don't know if it's the scent or the taste but to me it does make a differance.

Black, Black/Blue

Here in Michigan I fish them from spring all the way untill the lakes freeze in the fall.

Although very similar they are two differant tools. For me perhaps the biggest difference is the placment of the hook eye in relation to the rest of the bait. Jigs fall more horizontal and tend to "hop" much better than a T rig. On most days the fish will prefer one over the other. Will Texas rigs work in place of jigs some of the time?? YES. Will they work "as good" MOST of the time?? NO.

I have 2 of the gander "tournament GSX 54 series rods, they fish very similar to my st croix avids, not an avid but great rods for the money.

Symetre, then buy a reall good rod and a 12pack with the rest!

Some brand names I have utmost confidence in. Some brand names I have learn'd to avoid like the plague.

Largemouth--Carolina rigged culprit worm. Smallie-Tube

I say would say nothing, just change to a faster pattern bait. Next time I'd try and discuss techniques and expectations befor take off. Most of the time the guy in the front with all the investment and cost is going to have some advantage over the guy in the back.

For a really nice rod, both light and sensitive in the $50 range don't overlook the gander mtn. rods.

I have some that are 10 yrs old and a couple newer ones. The newer ones are lighter and more sensitive but have stainless guides and both of them have line grooves worn into the tip guide. Neither of these rods ever seen braid, just mono. Replace the tip and they are "OK" rods for the money.

I store all my lines in a dark room in a drawer,cool end of the house. Mono begins to deteriate, loosing some knot strength after two years. Some mono is two years old when you buy it. I've had Yoz U.S. and power pro for up to four years with no decline in the quality.

With Shamano NOT being a choice? I guess Revo S would be my pick over the others.

Ya know what I think? There's been thousands of bass caught on worse line and more wimpy rods than what you were using. To me it sounds like some panfish or real small bass were nipping away and giving you hook setting practice. If there was any real size to them, at least one would have hooked himself. I'd try smaller baits.

I use green 50# power pro on both my jigging rods. Started out with leaders for about a year and then quit using a leader regardless of water clarity. I haven noticed a drop off in bites at all. In fact I think I catch more fish because I spend less time with the leader hastle. Also I don't need to fret about a knot banging my guides anymore.

What Jig & Trailer combinations do you all use when specifically fishing in cabbage,coontail, or other vegetation? Also where's your favorite source for jigs on line?It seems I spend as much time picking salad off my jigs under these situations as I do fishing. Thanks for all your input. Good fishin'