A-Jay

Been Very happy with the towing capabilities of this one. A-Jay

You're welcome. I have not used or have experience with that nano finesse hook. With in the selection I've listed above, there's nothing finesse about any of them. I use stout gear while fishing for plus size brown bass - my terminal tackle choices reflect that. I can not say for sure what you 'need' - only you can know that. These are what I use with some level of success. A-Jay

A-Jay

We kept a "List" of the companies and if the operator didn't have a preference, we'd rotate through the companies. So everybody got called. Other enterprising guys would 'chase' disabled calls (Via VHF). After the USCG determined the disabled vessel's position, they would just show up before we called the next company on the list or one could get on scene. There would actually be fights over who was going to do the tow. PIA really. Eventually worked itself out. A-Jay

I prefer & use EWG Treble hooks – I change them. All my topwater, jerk, rattle, square & crankbaits, even blade baits & spybaits (not mentioned above) all get aftermarket trebles. And topwater baits that have feathers, also get changed out, I just tie up my own. (So easy, even an A-Jay can do it) Mustad KVD 1x Strong 2x Short Triple Grip Treble Hook, Gamakatsu EWG Treble Short Shank Magic Eye and Owner Short Shank Treble Hook ST-35 all adorn my baits. Especially like that Owner ST-35 (Not for a tail hook though) as it features 150-degree Premium Point Position design, which splits two hook points out 150-degrees versus the typical 120-degrees between all three points. This allows the hook points to be positioned slightly farther out from your bait and help increase your hook up percentage. Opening the gap to 150-degrees also minimizes damage to your bait from the hook points, while keeping the hook points sharper over time as well. Note: Owner Stinger ST-35 Short Shank Treble Hooks are designed to be used with baits that have the hook hanger in line with the length of the bait. These will not hang correctly on lures that feature any hook hanger that is perpendicular to the length of the lure – some of the offerings from Megabass for instance. Had to include that because as great as these trebles are – they do not work in the situation described. Any & all questionable split rings are traded out for Owner Hyper wires. (including Line ties) A-Jay

Hello Anthony and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ Take it back. No sense frustrating yourself. Must be jacked up some how. There's no secret - if you can cast standard revolving spool gear effectively - DC's are not that different, just a bit more complicated. But with minimal input from the caster, they are designed to perform. Get a new one and see if you're not casting fine with one that's operating properly in no time. Good Luck A-Jay btw - if you do chose to place this one - ensure the next one is presented to you in a Factory Sealed box - and not a demo job or someone else's returned item.

You are very Welcome Sir. A-Jay

Me too ~ I throw them on spinning gear 10-15 lb braid & an 8 or 10lb usually mono leader. These are all fairly light wire hooks that penetrate easily on the end of a long cast with just a reel set hook set. While none of these are 'traditional' swimbait heads - they get the job done for me. I've had decent success with the Keitech Super Round Tungsten Jig Head - 1/4 with either the 2/0 or 3/0 hook https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Super_Round_Tungsten_Jig_Head/descpage-KSR.html The Gamakatsu Round Jig Head - same 1/4 2/0 or 3/0 hook https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Round_Jig_Head_5pk/descpage-GRJH.html If I need to go or stay deeper with a heavier head (or in the wind) The Gamakatsu Football Jig Head 3/8 oz with 2/0 gets the call. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_Football_Jig_Heads_5pk/descpage-GFB.html A-Jay

Sea Tow & Tow Boat Us are Big Water services - both fresh & salt water. If I were on any, I'd have one or the other depending on where I was and who offered the services I needed. These are usually for non-emergency situations although if they are within shouting distance to an urgent deal - they'll often respond or assist as needed. I was still serving when these 'commercial assistance' Companies first came to be; mid 1980's I think. While there'd always been big tug boats for ships and larger commercial fishing vessels, there was really nothing for smaller recreational craft. On the East coast, in major ports, Boston, NY, etc business took off quickly - where I was working at the time. Actually caused a policy change by the USCG to where we no longer responded to non-emergency calls. Completely changed the way we conducted business. That still stands today. USCG will call commercial assistance for you once they determine you're not in immediate distress. If you have coverage you're good. If you do not - you're paying through the nose. Either way your tax dollars no longer ensure a free tow home, which was the vast majority of what I did the first several years of my career. I can remember towing 2 boats at a time with 3 or 4 waiting for me to get to them on a busy summer weekend or holiday. No longer the case - it's all commercial salvage now. In fact, in the early days, many USCG coxswains left the service to run those boats - so at least some of them knew what they were doing. Bottom line - it's a good thing to have if you're running water where they cover. Still need food & water and whatever to keep you comfortable if you break down, because they are in no big hurry to get there. A-Jay

As previously mentioned, it's about fishing different levels of the water column effectively. In some situations the bass are willing and able to go a ways to get a bait so presenting these baits right in their grill then may not be necessary. Others times it's the only way to get bit. Finally the 110+1 in GP perch has been killer for me. A-Jay

Gronk's done. We're on to the playoffs. A-Jay

We certainly do A-Jay

While I believe Mr Rogers is a phenomenal QB, This cracks me up . . . A-Jay

Now you're talk'in ! btw - this is for you Sir ~ Enjoy https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/vacation?iso=20201002T12&p0=148&msg=NHBull+to+Lake+Baccarac+~+&font=sanserif&csz=1 A-Jay

For my glue it now - and use it immediately gluing needs. I depend on Zap-a-gap. https://www.amazon.com/Pacer-Technology-Zap-Zap-Adhesives/dp/B00SXJJ2QI/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=zap+a+gap&qid=1577495696&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE4N1gxTkw4Nk9LNUkmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MjQ2OTZTRjlVSVdFVlc3Q1kmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDgzNTk2M0VWVEE4MFpJOUdEWSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= This stuff is pretty aggressive, quick drying - and dries hard. A-Jay

Paddletail Swimbaits, Swim jigs, Jigs, Texas rigged plastics, tubes, a couple of walking baits and believe it or not, drop shot rigs. Most all of that ended up inside one of these guys . . . A-Jay

Nice and what an excellent pic ! Congrats A-Jay

Dude ! Happy Belated Birthday and Congrats on the Sweet Rig !!!! Best of Luck with her. (Like the new profile pic too) A-Jay

They are Great Reels ~ Casting distance you ask ? See for yourself . . . (It's excellent btw) A-Jay

This is a good idea @N Florida Mike. . . . I have so many great memories that revolve around my fishing, it's hard to pick just one. It seems like I've lived 3 lives in a way; one growing up before I joined the service, Second was my time in the service and Third would be now, after I retired. For the past 10 years plus I've been able to share so many of my recent memories here and in a way that lets me relive them over & over, any time I chose. Really appreciate that (Thank you @Glenn). But well before that, was my first actual memory of going fishing with my Dad & younger brother where I caught my first largemouth bass. We were on the bank at a local county park lake. We'd fished there many times before, mostly mid-day on weekends. My mom would sit in the sunshine on a blanket and knit, while we soaked worms under a bobber. Plenty of panfish action back then and we'd always keep several for a fish fry. Always loved my Mom's batter - light & really tasty. She taught me how to fillet a fish in 1967, still do it the same way today. On this particular day, we had stayed close to sun set, something we usually didn't do, as once the sun got below the tree line, we'd leave. My Dad announced that we were leaving in a few minutes (Always hated the last cast - even back then) and handed me a Rebel Jointed minnow "Try This" he urged. I was surprised & pumped ! He helped me 'tie it on' and showed me how to 'work it'. I felt like such a little stud suddenly being able to fish 'like Dad'. A couple of casts into it, a 14 inch green bass grabbed the bait about half way in on the cast. I was freaking out, my brother was yelling, my Mom was shouting words of encouragement and my Dad just stood there and said "Calm down & Take your time". Yea Right - my little Ted Williams Sears & Roebuck Spin cast set up felt like it was going to come right out of my hands and I may have pee'd a little. As I reeled the fish closer to the bank, the bass jumped. And right then, it seemed like time stood still - really, it was the craziest thing, like a dream, I'd never felt anything like it, up to that point in my life (8 whole years) but I knew I liked it. After a few more tense moments of trying to grab the bass without getting hooked, I eventually did the old, 'walk backwards deal' and dragged the now exhausted bass, up in the sand. My brother was jumping up and down, and I was sort of in shock. My Dad, casually walked over, lipped it, rinsed it off, removed the bait and handed it to me (showing me how to hold it - another first). I thought I was holding a whale. We placed it on the stringer with the panfish, my brother named it Betty and I remember how cool and big it looked compared to them. We took it home and ate it. Unfortunately we didn't have the camera that day and if we took a pic at home I don't have it - would have been a Polaroid I'm sure. So that's was when it started for me. 52 years and a lot of miles later, I'm still at it. And I love everything about it. Fishing is just about the only thing in my adult life that I can do, that can truly make me feel like a kid again - This pic is of the place but not the day. A-Jay (I have a feeling I'll be adding at least a few more as this long winter wears on)

This is pretty wacky. A-Jay

Nicely Done ~ I happen to be in the middle of re-guide a couple of older spinning rods myself. Yours looks better. Congrats A-Jay

A-Jay

Thank You Sir ~ A-Jay

Part of the job description. At least a little. A-Jay