ghost

Caught my biggest bass this year, this past Saturday; let's say an early Father's Day present to myself. All I have to say is, the Dark Sleeper works! Used a 3/4oz clear chartreuse on my swimbait setup and hopped it a few times. Felt the hit set the hook and fought a beautiful 6lber. Last pic is a few weeks ago first time using the Dark Sleeper in 1/2 on my normal setup, on the fall before it hit the bottom. A 2-3lb bass nailed it. I'm still trying to find out what works best with the Dark Sleeper. Let it sink after the cast and hopping or slow roll. So far the fall and hopping has worked for me. These lures are not expensive especially from Megabass. I have to say the Dark Sleeper is durable. So far it's been my favorite lure next to the Whopper Plopper 110.

I'll be casting S-Waver 168, Whopper Plopper 130, 6" Hudds and other glide and swimbaits. I prefer straight braid and just asking if 50lb braid will work good. Also I've used Power Pro original and wondering also what braid you guys are using for swimbaits and your thoughts.

The original Whopper Plopper. Any of you guys used this top water lure? I know TW has it on their site, it's 5". But one one I'm looking at is 7" and over 2 oz. I'm in SoCal, just wondering if this would be something different for the bass out here. Wish we had like and musky though....?

Just wondering what colors you are using and weights. What color is most productive for you.

I have a couple Daiwa baitcast reels with TWS. I run braid on both reels, one has 40lb and the other has 30lb braid. What is the consensus if braid damages the TWS system. I hear the braid running thru the TWS and I guess it bothers me. Would I he better off spooling the copolymer I like? P-Line CXX, 10lbs?

I picked up a chrome/black 110 WP. Now, I have too many ploppers??

Will heat from a rod and reel sitting in my car for 8 hours, will it weaken the line? How about my fishing rod?

What I mean is mono, copoly or fluoro line on a reel, when the rod and reel are inside a warm or hot car. I am using P-Line CXX and just wondering if less memory on the line if inside a car. Does line tend to get weaker when it's warmed up inside a car? Also, does the warmth inside a car have affect on a reels oils and grease?

Onthepotomac, you are correct that the Calcutta 50/51 have been discontinued for years. I see them on Ebay now and then though.

Fish with trees, I'll tell you this; I'm no young guy. I primarily bought the pistol grip 6' rod for my Zebco Micro 33 gold spincast reel. Not too many pistol grip rods that are over 5'6" and I wanted a slightly longer pistol grip rod. Also the Lightning Rod pistol grip is rated 1/4-5/8 oz lures, a medium action rod. But it has a softer tip which I was looking for to cast 1/4 oz or less lures. I've got the rod for over a week and have used it for the micro spincast reel I have. I just looked at my casting reel collection and mounted my smaller casting reels to get a feel of them on a pistol grip rod. The reels I mounted were: Shimano Calcutta 51, Shimano Curado 51E, Shimano Curado 101D, Shimano Casitas 151, BPS Carbonlite Gold reel(left) and Daiwa Sol. I like how the Calcutta 51 looks on the rod, it has that vintage look. I'll eventually will use the pistol grip rod with a baitcasting reel sometime, but first for the main purpose is to use and catch with my micro spincast reel. I'm curious to see how I can handle a fish without an extended handle in back. And, thank you all for the kind comments.

Shimano Calcutta 51 and Berkley Lightning Rod, 6 ' medium, pistol grip rod. I've had the Calcutta 51 for 14 years and has caught some nice bass. I just got the Berkley Lightning Rod, pistol grip last week. I wanted a pistol rod for some time but either they are expensive and old or none are available. The rod doesn't cost much, got it for $30 during Bass Pro Shops Spring Classic sale. I actually bought the pistol grip rod for a Zebo Micro 33 spincast reel, but was curious how the Calcutta 51 and the pistol grip rod would look together. I'd say they look outstanding, my version of Modern Vintage. Now if it will just stop raining here Southern California and have a chance to fish from this Covid-19 mess, to try this rod and reel combo...????

Yamamoto Fat Ika, rigged backwards. Search on YouTube

I've been looking for a 7' swimbait rod. Bass Pro Shops used to have a musky rod that was 7' heavy, unfortunately they don't carry that anymore. I did find that Cabela's has their Fish Eagle 7' heavy rod, rated up to 2 1/4 oz. This would work, just checking if any of you know of any other 7' heavy rods rated up to 3 oz.

Any of you use your WP as Prop lure? What I mean is, prop lures with one or two props, would be jerked and paused technique, to draw a commotion. I've tried thai with my WP's but no luck. Have you tried this and caught bass? Or any other fish?

I know these are for saltwater fishing, but would you use for freshwater fishing? Wow, expensive! Would a non bail Spinning reel work with freshwater fishing? I know most times tension the roller is needed.

I'm leaning more towards the 301 Tranx, just not sure of the 2 Daiwas. What's your call? Performance, palmability, casting? I'll be using for swimbaits mostly. And if I get myself out there, ocean fishing. I prefer paddle handle than power handle.

Bass Pro Shops The Egg.

What's a stupid rig? Is there a pic available?

I also have a Shimano Calcutta 51. For a round reel, that thing is small. Quite easy to palm. Fun little reel. I've used it for drop shotting and it's a blast.

Isn't the Pixi and Sol from Daiwa the same platform frame? Just that the Sol is for the U.S. market? I have a Sol in left hand. It feels taller than my Curado 71

Seems like baitcast reels are getting smaller and lighter with all the new types of metals or carbon being used. So which reel do you think is the smallest? What I mean is to palm it. I have a Shimano Curado 71 and Curado 51 E. They may not be the lightest but they sure feel small in my hand when palmed. I remember back in the 80's, Ryobi had a V Mag reel that was quite small for its time.

I've changed out the stock treble hooks with size 4 in front and size 6 in back, short shank trebles. At time they still get tangled up but not too bad. I haven't tried using size 6 trebles for front and back, I think my hook ups would be lessened. If you want a wake bait in the egg, go with the larger Egg. It leaves a big wake and it's quite loud.

Great lure! I've caught numerous bass on the Egg. I don't use it for waking, but cranking. Just under a foot and it at times is an erratic lure. I like the small one, perfect weight to throw far.

IB, um, you had me at you're welcome... Good fishing Bruddah!

Thank you Islandbass! That is what I was looking for.