Hammer 4

Probably checking You out..haha.

Removing the hook from the lip shouldn't be a problem, further back and yep, you may need pliers. Are you using heavy wire hooks..? If so, maybe try a lighter wire and see if that doesn't help.

If you need more leverage then by all means use some pliers. I don't recall having any issues removing straight shank hooks. Are you hooking these fish on the lip..?

I on the other hand have 3 Diawa T Wing reels, from the Feugo to the 200HL..all work great. I was a die hard Shimano user in the past..

And it only gets better with time on the water..

I'm guessing your doing overhand cast's..Maybe try casting side arm..?

Which one did you get, i.e. make and model..? I'd suggest if you haven't already, check out youtube for guides on how to set up, and use a baitcasting reel, will save you some time and frustration..

Good vibes out to ya Reb, hope all goes well on the 5th. And a full and speedy recovery too.

I don't have or ever owned a slx reel, so I have to ask, are you keeping the line taught when you spool it up..? Keeping tension on the line helps it to lay flat on the spool.

I've caught decent fish both ways.

I've always used a size 2500.

Plus..pre mixing is a pain..I'd keep the oil injection..

Never fished in FL..but, what I would do is Slow down, let the bait fall to the bottom let it rest for a few seconds then give the rod a twitch or 2, then reel a couple of cranks, slowly..If the water is clear, and you can see the bass, then the bass can see you, I've had this happen more than a few times. Sometimes bass will just follow out of curiosity, the trick is to get them to react hence the twitching motion, you want to try and duplicate a injured lizard or any other bait as much as possible.

Well, I must be odd then, because I find just the opposite in my case..

Righty here, I never understood why anyone would cast with their dominate hand, then switch to their non dominate hand to work the rod. I use the hand that the most control to work my rod i.e..bottom , spinnerbait ect. Heck I could reel with my toes if I had to..So yeah,I've used left handed reels from the get go.

I would agree with Bluebasser re: bottom conditions. Otherwise yes..

No musica when I'm fishing, although I may hum a few bars of some songs..

beetlespin, kastmasters, spinnerbaits , then t rigged worms, cranks for quiet awhile. This was back in the 60's..thru the 70's.

I just began using the smackdown braid this summer for froggin..As Lonnie said, it is those things..

Not sure if you are asking about the elite or the xt tatula..I have the 7'4" heavy frog xt model, with a diawa fuego baitcaster, 50lb smackdown braid. Using a 1/2 oz frog, it cast's very well, has good action. However it's rated up to 2 oz. so for the heck of it, I tied on a 2 oz swimbait, and the rod struggled to cast it well, so if the elites are similar they are slightly over rated for lure weight. otherwise, I love the rod.

Well that makes 2 of us...

When is the next sale at TW..?

I'd like to see medicare include hearing and vision. I've lost 65% of my upper freq hearing, and to get hearing aids that correct that runs over 6k, which I don't have laying around to spend, so I miss out on a lot of conversations. Not saying they should cover it 100%, but at least a portion of it.

Disregard what I said as per Tom's post re: the Delta...

Rev, how do you have the brake set up on the Calcutta..? Is it possible to little braking and to much spool tension..?