kikstand454

Yup. With a heavy action rod and braid, I feel a television hook set isn't needed. I was doing that at first. ....but I realized I lost alot of bites and my hookup percentage was garbage. So I started being a bit more gentle. I Snell hook a trokar tk130 or vmc flipping hook and the fish mostly hook themselves. ...I'm still trying to break the habit. It helped me when I visualized that I was essentially using a cane pole. In essence at the point of contact, that's what you're doing. You don't swing for the fences with a cane pole, you lift it up forcefully. Try it. Its working better for me....

No need to do that. The answers you are going to get are: Bps pro qualifier Daiwa tatula Shimano citica Alternatives may be: Various quantums Okuma Lews speed spool There you go. Saved you the trouble.

Up until recently, (last 6-7 years) all of my PB fish, fresh AND salt were on the beetle spin. My biggest bass, cat, redfish, speckled trout, crappie, bluegill. ......you get the picture. Great lure. Dont use it much now, but my 6yr old is starting to fish more regularly, and she and i are going to be throwing one soon- you can bet that!

You would probably be OK with 12, but I personally use 15. Honestly any of those sizes will be fine - it all depends on your preference/ assessment of bottom hazards. I choose 15# hybrid because I want the extra strength, but I also still want to be able to break off if I have to. Sometimes the 15# puts up a fight. Lol. Have fun with your c-rig! Its what I throw probably 60% of my time!

^ this.

^ I doubt his preferred brand of braid is the issue.

Definitely a chain pickerel. Some call it a jackfish.

You either had too much line on the reel, or you weren't closing the bail manually. Both or either will cause the problem you described.

There are lots of great rods out there for <100. Lots. That said, my pa-in law loves the skeet Reese rods and has one many many tournements with them. Lol. He has a litteral boat full. I'm not a huge fan or them personally and mainly only had shimano Clarus, convergence, and crucial rods until recently when I picked up 4 Abu Garcia veritas rods at dicks on stupid sale. I'm really digging them.

I love snakes. You were not attacked. You probably stepped on it without realizing. Thankfully it wasn't the banded watersnakes venomous cousin! Great reminder to always respect the environment you are putting yourself in and remember to pay attention to your surroundings. Glad you're OK!

Good question. I believe my next PB bass will either be punching mats, or this winter throwing a jerkbait.

Yes. Go early as physically possible. Keep an eye on the sky . If it starts to LOOK iffy, head towards the launch. If you hear thunder, get off the water. Trust your instincts. Don't talk yourself into a bad situation. I have been jumped on by a tstorm in the ocean, about half a mile out from shore in my kayak. I had waterspouts and lightening crashing all around me. You do not want to do that. ..... trust me.

I remember in my younger days when I used to troll for strippers!

Good ol wiggle wart works for me.

^ this. Plus. .... the ZERUST stuff really does work- until it stops. And then it dies hard. It has a shelf life and when its over its over. I get a big 3700 flambeu box from Wally world and spread the dividers throughout my tackle. They even work well in the salt on my kayak. But when they die. ...your stuff rusts overnight. Lol. Well in the salt anyway. Who knows how long the product sat at Walmart. It'd be nice to buy direct. Then you would at least have an idea of the shelf life.

When I first joined up with a bass club, I showed up in my inshore clothes. Long sleeve Columbia, long pants, buff, boonie hat, gloves in my pocket. I caught a little hell, gave a little back. ... and I wear that same set up everytime I go out- even in the winter. Its just the right thing to do- especially here in Florida and the rest of the south. I don't know how some of those guys go out there for 8hrs in shorts and a T-shirt. I burn in like 30minutes. *shrug* covering up is not only safer- its just more comfortable.

Heat up the screwlock with a lighter first.

Awesome interview!

Yup. Gold and dark is your answer. Tannic water as mentioned above is actually really clear, its just tinted.

I especially love the finess worms. They float with abandon. Theres nothing better in my oppinion for those tough shaky head bites.

Yeah, I'm going to go with 4+ and would fully support you telling everyone 5. Lol. Nice fish! Congrats!

Man ,what a punch bait!

Join a kayak bass fishing tournement. Problem solved. /thread Don't stress too much about it. If you have a large popular lake nearby, there will be plenty of tournaments to get your feet wet at. Show up to one with 3-4 rods, a small tackle bag, a cooler in your truck with a bag of ice, chips and some waters, and $20 in your pocket. Someone will pick you up. Have fun! Its exciting!

Exactly what RW said. Congrats on the Mega score! Go get it bent! !

Nvm about the c-rig. You'll only be able to throw it in a tiny window off the front of the dock. Stick to your senkos and frogs. Add a horny toad, buzzbait and paddle tail worm. A weightless trickworm may be good too. Good luck.