SirSnookalot

Right on ! I don't over complicate it. I have rods that cover 3 techniques, conventional for live or cut bait, spinning for casting lures and fly rod for flies. Pretty much covers it all for me. I'm using a fast action spinner (different powers of course) for every lure type and every kind of fish.

Like Fishes in trees I don't see the need for more than a 2' leader for most fishing. I do see the reason, that being not having to retie as often, which doesn't bother me a bit. I seldom tie line to leader, only when I fish for species that will attack a swivel as readily as the lure, when I do it's an alberto.

Sounds like the issue is coiling and not whether the line is loaded onto the reel correctly. On bass size spinning reel 14# is pretty heavy, I would probably go with 8#. Soaking the filler spool in warm water before you spool up will reduce or eliminate coiling. Once the line is spooled up I make a point of trolling the line out before I fish with it. Coiling and twist are 2 different issues, twist will happen with spinning gear as the line is being wrapped around a fixed spool every time you reel in.

That tygerleader does sound interesting. I use braid almost exclusively, always with leader and always on spinning tackle. Heaviest braid I use is 20#, do have some 30# for offshore, my leaders vary from 20-40#. I specifically target toothy fish, from experience both mine and others I shy away from wire because the strikes are fewer. I don't use a lure without considering I may get cut off, that's just part of fishing. Without exaggeration I got cut off well over 20 times in 3 weeks during the mullet run, but I caught a bunch. My rule is simple, don't use a lure unless you are prepared to lose it.

The only hollow blanks I'm familiar with are sabiki rods, very common in saltwater for use as a bait catching rod.

@ Reason..................some really nice looking stripers.

I use zoom flukes quite a bit, seldom use senkos or trailers for jigs. I make these up for my jig fishing, used in both fresh and saltwater.

No way to compare a Florida community pond to a natural body of water. At one time my ponds produced a very good environment for fishing, not the case any more for 2 reasons IMO. Our ponds no longer rely on rainwater to keep levels up, the Palm Beach water authority now "forces" us to buy their reclaimed water. Since the onset of this program the fishing has gone steadily downhill. The vegetation is pretty much gone, I do believe our HOA is a bit spray happy.

I wouldn't have given it a thought one way or the other in the first place.

Music while I'm fishing, of course not. I fish with my ears as well, always listening for fish busting on bait. Sight casting is more than just visual.

The most recent................. Swimbaits being a right of passage

I don't much care for it either, people down here go crazy for spanish mackerel, kingfish too many smoke them. I've read some anti liver comments and I love both calves and chicken livers. Caviar is fish roe, much of what we are exposed to is lumpfish or salmon, sturgeon caviar isn't all that bad, but I love kippers (kippered herring), nova, smoked sable (my absolute favorite), I guess I don't mind the fishy salty taste.

The right of passage is big fish, not what they are caught on. I have nothing against larger swimbaits, probably will eliminate catching some of the smaller fish. I know I may have to go thru quite a few little ones until that bigger fish strikes, but it will. I'm not going use them as I don't care to use heavier rods and reels when I have good shot at some really nice bass on med spinning, which I've done many times. The only thing that matters is the fish.

Xmas thru February I'd suggest to an out of towner to focus on freshwater fishing. Use the kind of baits conducive to your water conditions and what you have fun with. From April thru out the rest of the year as far as I'm concerned that's saltwater time, whether you can do that is going to depend upon your mobility. I may have said this a thousand times, when in a location that offers something other than what you normally catch at home, it's hard for me to understand not taking advantage of that. Besides in the warmer months here bass can be a struggle.

Wire and spoons are used here everyday, it makes no difference with some species and with others you won't get near as many strikes. Whether it's a premade with snap and swivel, coated surflon crimped, or piano wire looped with a haywire twist, I've not noticed any difference in action. I've seen the tieable haven't used as yet, not a bad idea if that's what you have more confidence in. I make my surgical tubes using surflon which is coated stainless and doesn't rust. I do prefer black rather than clear which is really not clear but bright and fish will hit the "flash" of the leader.

I've heard story that a fisherman caught bass with a water moc in it's throat, the snake bit the guy on the thumb. As I say it's a story.

Depends what I'm fishing for and where I'm doing it, 3 combos at most. On the boat I have a trolling set up, drift set up and jigging/casting set up. Any time I'm walking it's 1 outfit only. Fishing from fixed position like a jettie I'll have a med spin and mh spin set ups. Which ones I take, that's up to the kind of fish running as well as the type of weather, heavy wind 7' rods, light wind 7.5 & 8 footers.

I wonder, do those rods and the lures catch more and bigger fish? I don't follow professional bass fishermen or what gear they use, but it would make sense to if those Japanese products were fish catchers you might here more about professionals using them. What's an extra $1000 if you have chance of winning a 100K? $900 over 10 years is only $90 a year, not a lot. I have rods that are 10 years old that only cost $90, that's $9.00 per year. Still in perfect order and still catching fish over 20 pounds. I had the use of a Rolls Royce for a few weeks many years ago, as far as performance and comfort it was not in the same league as my Cadillac. That real burl wood was awfully pretty, some exquisite detail and the valet guys treated me pretty well, of course their palms were open wide. If ya got the money and seek the status why not buy half dozen rods.

Monkey see monkey do?

You actually read it all?

Excellent !

Yesterday my spirits were broken down. I am only looking to catch peacocks, no longer interested in LMB. It's been hard to justify driving to 60 miles each way to Miami in the hopes of a 5# fish that I may not catch anyway. I go to Boca upon a recommendation, rule #1, unless it's a homeboy pay no attention to someones' "bull". First cast maybe a 2 lb bass, that meant a hot day or the kiss of death, the latter prevailed. With all the driving around I did I could have gone to Miami, my freshwater motivation is really starting to wane.

I wear a buff almost daily, mostly to keep my neck warm on a cool morning. Mine is insect shield or say they say, other than bugs or warmth I don't like them at all, they are just so hot. Mine comes off once the sun comes up.

I'm kind of wondering what kind places people are going to and what kind of degenerates are there? I cruised the bars in the Detroit area 3-4 times a week for a solid 20 years, never once saw any kind of altercation. Once I got married I had an obligation to my wife and kids, stay healthy and make sure I don't get into trouble. I would never be Dirty Harry and pull out a gun, unless I was going to use it which I never would. If I did only 2 things can happen, I walk away scott free or I could wind up in trouble myself. If I'm in trouble that puts my family at risk, either financially with attorney fees or taking a 5-10 year vacation. I feel sorry for any woman or man but I'm not getting involved, selfish you bet, I'm calling the police.

Had I wanted a rod specifically for lures 1-2 oz, my search is over I know exactly what I'd buy. I know the rod from experience as I own 6 of them already, I would have bought and I know I could return it. I do throw 1/2 oz lures quite often, didn't feel the rod would load up well enough, but it just might. If I didn't want an 8', which is really pretty stupid, I'd be using a new 7'6 just like the ones I already have, but I'm obsessed............lol. I'm pretty sure custom is the way I'm going, hopefully I'll see my buddy Ray in the next couple of days and check his out again. His rod builder is about 35 miles away, been in business since 1989 with a good reputation, I'll take care of it person.