Maggiesmaster

The only good thing about being a lefty is that I can cast with my left hand & reel with my right on the ‘old style’ baitcasters.

Could you show me the non-slip loop knot? I think I know what you mean, but I’m not sure. Thanks!

I like to tie loop knots on my jigs & crankbaits, but don’t know how to do it in braid. Mono is easy; just use surgeons loop. What do you do for braid?

I’ve got a BassPro landing net with small, rubberized netting. It’s a big, really good size and doesn’t seem to hurt bass at all. However, the small mesh size hangs every treble hook on jerkbaits or crankbaits. This morning I landed a 5 lb bass on a crank bait, but it took me longer to unhook the crank bait from the net than it did to catch the fish! What type net does everyone else use?

I’ve got hundreds of plastic baits in all colors, but (DON’T TELL MY WIFE!) all I’ve used this year is plastic worms in red bug or green pumpkin; watermelon red if red bugs are too hard to reach. 3/16 oz. tungsten weights & 3/0 hooks Texas rigged.

Caught many fish with them. Mine twisted the line badly until I looked and cleaned the grass from between the tail section and the main lure. As long as I keep that section clean I don’t have any problems.

Some of you may remember my post before last Christmas about advising my friend’s wife what reels & rods to get him for Christmas. Well, I advised her to get a couple of Fury 663C’s for worm fishing. After fishing with him this spring and trying his rods, I got a couple for myself ! Really good rods.

I’ve found the Shin knot is a bit easier to tie than the Alberto knot, and I’ve landed 8 lb bass while using that combo. Haven’t even attempted the FG knot.

Since I’ve gained experience, learned to tune reels better, and use KDV line conditioner, I backlash a lot less. However, when I make a long cast and the lure travels 10 feet before hitting that limb I didn’t see……..LOOK OUT!

I just can’t tie the knot! Probably is a psych thing. Maybe I need to see Dr. Phil!

I changed to 30 lb braid with a 6’ Fluor or mono leader. Tied with a shin knot, the line easily passes through standard guides, and the yellow color shows easily. For other lures, I use old fashioned mono.

They look pretty close (I think!). One difference from the Alberto knot is that you only wrap about 9 times one way, rather 7 front & 7 back. I think the Shin knot is a bit more compact and goes through guides a bit easier. I haven’t tried to tackle the FG knot yet!

I use the Shin knot. It’s a little bit smaller than the Alberto and relatively easy to tie. Landed a 7 lb bass yesterday & it didn’t cause any problems.

Do this! I ‘lost’ a rod & reel underwater at my dock for two weeks(?? I guess), and tried to clean the reel myself. Finally sent it back to Lews and they cleaned it really well. I’m sure DVT would do a great job for you.

You’re pretty tough! My wife has had many kidney stone, and several of them have laid her out! On a party boat, I fished next to a guy who was susceptible to seasickness. I would look over, and he would be hauling in fish; next thing I knew he’d be puking over the side. After one big episode, he smiled and said “ really wish I didn’t like fishing so much!”

I sent a reel that was ‘lost’ in a lake for two weeks. Service was fast & good…no complaints whatsoever.

I know EXACTLY how you feel. For the life of me, I cannot tie the simple Palomar knot! I fully realize it’s super simple, but I just have a mental block. The Alberto or Shin knots are easier. Go figure!

I join 30 lb braid to 12 lb flouro or mono with a Shin knot. I believe it’s a little more narrow than an Alberto knot, and maybe a bit easier to tie. I haven’t had it come undone yet. Adding a drop of superglue just makes the knot harder to pass through the guides.

A recent post got me thinking about buying rods over $150; anything over this price might be ‘overkill’ for most anglers. Anyway, what’s the best 6 1/2 ‘ MH rod for Texas rigs, etc, $150 or less? I found a Dobyns Fury for $119 that looks good, but are there others?

I’ve bought a couple of Duckett rods from them, as well as having guides replaced on several rods. Nothing but good recs from me! I didn’t know they did internet sales, but will check them out.

With the full moon, bream are on their spawning beds and bass are close by. However, I have a hard time catching them. What are the best lures/methods for fishing around bream beds?

1) : I ‘lost’ a rod & reel combo once; looked all over, but didn’t find it. Finally, I poked around the dock & found it! Sent the reel to Lews for cleaning & it’s great now. 2): I bought a ‘refurbished’ reel from BassPro once. We’ll, it wasn’t ‘refurbished’ enough—-reel always backlashed & never worked. I finally removed it and hurled it as far in the lake as I could…..I felt really good!

Yes, I misstated the term. I just checked on Amazon and you can buy a 100 ft roll for $21, plus tax. I first used a step drill bit to expand the lower end, but lost it & now just use a beer bottle. I’d recommend wearing one glove also. Look on YouTube before you start—many people have done this-most better than me!

I would, but I’m technology challenged.....can barely use my iPad! 1) order a 100 ft.roll of 1” expanded braided sheathing from either eBay or Amazon-mine ran about $20/roll. 2) get some 1/2” shrink wrap from Walmart, etc. 3) cut an appropriate length of tubing for the rod sock—just needs to go below the last guide. 4) CAREFULLY heat one open end and expand the end by forcing it over something like a beer bottle neck—seals the fibers & makes inserting the rod easier. 5) cut about 1” of the shrink wrap and insert it over the other end, then melt it . ‘Each sock runs about $1-2, and works well. At this cost, you really don’t mind them flying out of the boat! Remember....YouTube is your friend!

I made mine with expanded tubing, shrink wrap & kitchen stove flame. Cost about $1.00 each. YouTube shows you how.