SirSnookalot

I need to log in to use site, no problem as I'm registered. For the heck of it I tried to register new name, would't allow it.

That works just as well. You'll never get down to the knot on the spool bass fishing. A bigger fish stripping out that much line probably will snap the knot. If the knot does hold I guarantee you won't be able to crank the fish in, just could do some damage to the reel.

That's pretty much it, cut the tape maybe to 1/2" width or so where it fits smoothly on the spool. Electrical or masking tape, I personally use blue painters tape.

You had a defective guide, no more complicated than that, I'm sure the rod is fine. I can't address what Dobyns will do to correct this for you, a phone call will give you that answer. From time to time I replace guides at a tackle shop, I have never noticed the newer guides affecting the rod in any way.

Send it back it shouldn't be that way. Using it as is won't affect performance but why keep a reel that isn't perfect out of the box.

I tape every reel before spooling up, braid or mono, spinning or conventional doesn't make difference to me. In theory all that is needed is 1" piece to prevent slippage, once around the spool never hurts.

I'd crapped my pants.

Surprised no one has mentioned single surgical tubes for casting and umbrella rigs with tubes for trolling. Whether it's a diamond jig, acme spoon, and a host of other brands (basically all the same) with thinner tubes using a limerick work very good for stripers and any kind of ocean fish. Outlet bait has a $9.99 Bead Tackle Wobble Eel for $2.99, I use them all the time. Eels are an excellent live bait. The barracuda tubes I make are an exact design from a Maryland fisherman originally developed the lure for stripers and bluefish, kingfish hit them too as well as cudas.

Not sure if Tiny Pic can be joined anymore, it's now part of Photobucket, existing members can still log in. Many sites like Photobucket or Imgur will have an avatar option to resize a picture. There are quite a few photo editors that also will resize pictures, as well on line sites that only edits not sharing sites. Google has an avatar sizer http://www.gplusavatarmaker.com/

I not only tell people where good fishing spots are, I point out the exact blade of grass to stand on and how to fish the area. On this site alone if I had a buck for each honey spot I've given I could purchase the NRX and Stella that's RW has been hawking me to buy for years. I won't disclose locations that are private out of respect to the people that gave me permission to be there. I also won't help any one with a swirled out background.

I agree for sure.......... I think the smaller toothy critters may actually have sharper teeth than the larger ones.

I said being right is subject to opinion, case in point is how to fish a certain bait. There may be a host of opinions, none are more right than another. What this has to do with being deceitful is beyond me.

Didn't I read (could have been a PM) recently that tarpon were easy to land, I'll remember that next time I have one on the line for 30 minutes. Good job 0119 with 2 lb line.

Can't wait to read the responses on this one. Fishing Lake St Clair for 50 years and now fishing saltwater every day for the last 10, I don't have enough experience to give a credible answer.

I don't make recommendations, but I would listen to what this guy has to say.

That is a great bass. I can understand trying your hand at something else, once I moved to Florida my interest in freshwater fishing waned considerably. I still bass fish and enjoy it but the passion isn't what it used to be. My passion fishing for other species has greatly increased.

If you like it that's all that matters.

What I don't like about Lake Ida is all that snot grass I have to deal with fishing it from shore. From my understanding many of the peacocks caught there are on live bait, I have never been productive using lures from shore to catch them there. IMO the only way to fish Lake Ida is by boat. Right now I'm doing little if any bass fishing, strictly targeting peacocks. At least the places I'm fishing I believe fishing from shore is an advantage, I walk and sight cast. Catching one on a blind cast seems to be a rarity, I may make 10-20 casts before I get a strike. No these fish are not on beds right now, they stage just a few feet off the bank, be hard to spot them 20' away in a boat. Just my take.

Thanks Scott, you just talked me out of using tieable leaders, lol. Actually I'm not much of a wire leader user, I take my chances using an ordinary leader. Some species I fish for wire will reduce the number of strikes, I got off about 25 times in just a few weeks last year, but I caught a ton of fish.

This probably annoys me more than making a fish appear larger than it really it is. If I catch a fish in private spot out of respect to the people that invited me I have to seal my lips. Most of my fish are caught in public areas, I have directed people to locations for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, quite often without ever being asked. I don't carry scale either, don't care that much what the fish weighs, all that matters is the enjoyment I've had. I will say if a scale is available I may have the fish weighed out of my own curiosity, but I don't post the exact weight. What is right is always subject to an individual opinion.

Pickeral like pike or even barracuda have their teeth widely spaced, even still have been cut of with braid umpteen times. I don't think too heavy a steel leader is needed, I also don't think the lure will be affected. A number of options, can always buy inexpensive ready made and they work ok. I make mine with surflon wire and crimps or light "piano" wire using a haywire twist. Tieable leaders work fine but are more costly. That all said, if I were fishing with a plastic worm I wouldn't bother with steel.

Quite true, but it probably bothers you more than the fish, except for the added line twist. IMO an unnatural swimming motion replicates an injured fish, you may be getting more strikes........lol. Live bait fishermen will clip a fin that makes the bait swim unnatural.

Don't know what the drag is, I set it by feel. But I do know with many of the fish I catch I'd be as concerned with my line breaking as much as a knot not holding if the drag were too tight. Much of my fishing is targeting fish that weigh more than my line pound test. A case in point is when I'm not using braid but 14# copoly, the fish caught average 40-50" and seldom weigh less than 20#, caught in heavy current. That knot is not an alberto but a plain old fashioned clinch knot, TIED CORRECTLY, yes knots and drag are quite important. How hard do those fish fight, all I can say is come down and land one, you can use my rod and reel.

Can't say I'm aware of a photoshopped picture, but I've seen many embellished by some that have that pose perfected. I'm not guiltless, have done it myself, for the future I'm going to do my best not to. As beautiful as some of the pics are, they distort reality.

I don't often tie line to leader but when I do it's an alberto, it's a terrific knot. I do fish saltwater every day and have caught many snook,tarpon and jacks. Most of the time I'm using a swivel and always with no more than 20# braided line, we can discuss those knots another time. The alberto has replaced the bimini as the go to saltwater knot, it's slimmer and every bit as strong and much easier to tie. I do quite a bit of freshwater bass and peacock fishing as well, I don't find any knot not being strong enough if tied correctly.