Glenn

Strange negative comments in this thread about fluorocarbon. I think some of it comes from long-ago issues when fluorocarbon became popular for bass fishing. Back then, fluorocarbon had high memory, high stretch, and knot failures (remember Vanish? Ugh!). Using sprays like KVD Line & Lure was almost required, and special care had to be taken when tying knots. These days, those issues have been eliminated with premium fluoro such as Sunline and Seaguar. I've been using Seaguar almost exclusively for over a decade. I use Seaguar InvizX on most of my baitcasters for an all-purpose line: Texas-rigged plastics, spinnerbaits, etc. I use Tatsu on baitcasters for Senkos and crankbaits; and Tatsu and R18 6lb test on my spinning outfits for finesse applications. Zero issues. None. I don't need any special sprays or knots, or need to retie frequently. Then again, Seaguar invented fluorocarbon line, and is the only manufacturer that makes its own resins combined with a patented manufacturing process. End-to-end quality control. Nobody else does that. I reserve braid for flipping/pitching/punching/frogging in heavy weeds and woody cover. Seaguar Smackdown is all I use. I use mono for topwater baits because it floats. Sunline Super Natural gets the call for that. Hope that helps!

It's a matter of opinion. The Okuma X-Series rods and reels are highly underrated and perform higher than their price point suggests. More and more bass anglers are learning this and adding Okuma to their arsenal. That said, comparing Daiwa to Okuma to Shimano to Powell to Dobyns to St. Croix....we all have our favorites and you'll get different opinions on all of them because they're all quality brands. It's hard to make a bad choice.

^^ This ^^ Also, if the boat is not level on the trailer when you pull it out of the water, don't tighten the back straps too tight. Leave them a little loose. Then, drive about a 1/2 mile - or quickly over a speed bump if the ramp area has one. Stop and check. The boat should be level now. Tighten the straps all the way. It's an old school trick, but does the job in a pinch.

Catch-and-release sounds great—but if you want trophy bass, selective harvest is often the better choice. Here’s why managing small bass is key to fishery success. https://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/catch-release-good.html

Want to know the winning tournament patterns on your local lake? It's all right at your fingertips in the DeepDive app! Those numbers are how many patterns in each section are available. You can then fine tune them by water clarity, weather conditions, and more. https://bit.ly/41RXthz

Introducing the Seaguar Pounce™ Bass Leader – your ultimate ally for conquering heavy cover and landing trophy bass. 🔥 Why Pounce™ is a Game-Changer: Unmatched Abrasion Resistance: Engineered to withstand the toughest environments—rocks, docks, weeds, and timber—where big bass lurk. Maximum Impact & Knot Strength: Ensures solid hooksets and secure connections, giving you confidence in every cast. Fast-Sinking & Virtually Invisible: Its 100% fluorocarbon composition sinks quickly and remains nearly invisible underwater, perfect for stealthy presentations. Made in Japan with Custom Seaguar Resins: Crafted with precision for superior performance. Affordable Excellence: Premium quality at a price point that suits every angler's budget. Available in 6, 8, 10, 12, and 15 lb test on 25-yard spools, Pounce™ is designed to complement your favorite braided lines, like Seaguar’s Smackdown or TactX.

For me, it's gotta be stupid tubes, Rooster tails, and big swimbaits - the 3-8oz kind. I'm surprised to see so many people struggle with spinnerbaits. That's my year round, go-to bait. I've caught thousands of fish on them, including several over 7lbs. Finesse is also a staple in my arsenal, although I struggle to get anything over 4lbs with it. But boy howdy can I load the boat with dinks! LOL

That is Tilapia from Big Bite Baits. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Jerk_Minnow_10pk/descpage-BBBJERK.html?from=BASRES

It's a fairly compact downtown. Everything Classic is walkable. I stayed at the Marriott last time, and walked to the convention center from there. I was at the Hilton the time before, which is basically across the street. Both places have their own parking garages for hotel guests. I ubered everywhere else. Most restaurants are within a 5 min drive of those hotels. And frankly, it's far easier/faster to Uber than to drive around looking for parking. There's plenty of Uber drivers there (it's a college town).

** THIS IS NOW IN EFFECT **

Michael Neal here, and let’s talk spring fishing with soft plastic jerkbaits. I’m breaking down my top methods for spring fishing soft plastic jerkbaits. Here’s how to rig up, present, and get the best action out of soft plastics during the spring.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/skeet-reese-42125.html

Fishing is one of the rare sports that truly brings everyone together—regardless of age, background, gender, race, ability, or economic status. It’s a universal pastime where the only thing that matters is the moment on the water. That’s why it’s so surprising to see this conversation take such a strange turn toward dividing people by age groups. Honestly, the fish don’t care—and neither should we. Let’s keep the focus on what unites us, not what separates us.

Alright guys, this is getting borderline absurd. Nothing new is being discussed at this point. And scene....

Guys...no more "stats" please. Just....stop. Please.

^^ Nope. That ship sailed long ago.^^ Last year, I spoke with a number of top pros that downplayed the NPFL....now I see many of them fishing it. I also spoke with many that saw the merits and are now fishing it this year....some of them were talking retirement at the end of last season. Plans changed.

That's likely a mini guide. A micro guide is the right one in this pic:

My state requires passing a "boater safety course", but it was as comical as it was frustrating. Aside from a few questions about waterskiing, it was 98% about saltwater commercial fishing regulations and less about boater safety. I mean, what bass boater wants or needs to know how far out in to international waters they need to be to empty septic tanks? And yet, there it was on the test. And I've never been asked for the card. So...unfortunately it's more about revenue than safety in my state.

In order of smallest to largest, there's micro-guides and then there's mini-guides, and of course there's the standard guides. Most rods that don't have standard guides have mini-guides. Micro guides are very small, and they're not nearly as popular as mini-guides.

Here is a systematic approach to uncovering the best fishing spots by combining research, understanding bass behavior, and hands-on exploration. With these tips, you’ll not only find new hotspots but also enjoy the process of exploration.

Thing is, drunk driving is the #1 cause of driving deaths, not speed. So...it's not a fair comparison when the discussion is about speed-related accidents. Anyway, the more subtle point I've been trying to make is that this thread is getting heated, and it's time to pump the brakes. When people start making exaggerated claims, say things like "this is why I don't post", reply in rapid-fire back-n-forth, and so on, it's a clear sign people are getting emotional, tense, amped, what have you. None of it is conducive to productive discourse. It all points to rapid escalation leading to arguing and fighting, ultimately ending with a number of PO'd members. People here are quick to criticize the moderators for shutting down threads "early", but when we see these signs, we know where it's going. So here's your chance, guys, to take it down a notch and keep it civil. If we end up having to shut it down anyway later, well....you had your shot.

Thousands??? Google says: source: https://www.cdc.gov/transportation-safety/about/index.html#:~:text=Motor vehicle crashes are a public health concern both in,injuries and deaths are preventable.

Ease up gentlemen. Time to take a breather.

Braid is not a universal line. It definitely has its place in bass fishing (flipping/pitching, for example), but fluorocarbon is more widely used across techniques and lures. It's the leatherman of fishing lines. Seaguar InvizX is what's spooled on the majority of my reels. Seaguar Smackdown is my braid of choice. Also, leader is not required for bass fishing. I suggest forgoing the leader for now. Maybe try it later, if you feel it can give you an edge. But if you catch plenty of fish without it, then I'd argue you don't need it. But if you feel you should be using it, then it's hard to beat Seaguar Pounce or Gold leader.