Hammer 4

I tend to use whatever works best..

Back when I did fish bedding bass, a few baits worked really well. Jigs in white either with or without a trailer, lizards, craw baits worked very well, as did creature baits. I did use other colors besides white, but the local bass seemed to hate white and would attack it with more aggression compared to other colors.

I don't have the Bama rod, but I do have 3 of the Irod gen II's and 1 of the gen III. I can tell you this, at the price point of which they sell, they fish, and look at a much higher price. Just read the reviews on TackleWarehouse, all the Irod gen models get great reviews. Customer service is top notch. Fit and finish on these rods are in my humble opinion are very good, light weight, very good action, and fairly true to the stated power rating. I do have the 783sb, which is rated 1 to 4 oz. 2 1/2 to 3 oz is the sweet spot, although I could toss a 3 1/2 oz bait without straining the rod. Also, I love the EVA grips. Hopefully someone has the rod in question and can give you a more detailed answer.

Also, Corvid is at an all time high here in Cali, so that may have an impact on getting orders out and shipping. Just for example, my Son works for UPS and his position allows him access to most everything that goes on there, and when I spoke with him about a week ago, he told me that All carriers are Slammed big time. I placed a order with TW 1/3 it shipped 1/8 was just a few items in a small box. I got my order on 1/10..

This ^^^ and a good place to get tungsten weights is at SiebertOutdoors.com , they are a site sponsor too.

White Dial antibacterial soap.

Being older, and most times, Forgetful, I made a list on a small tablet, listing the rods, and reels paired with them, and what line is on each reel. Really helps somedays..lol

Your good to go..

Was there fish near by..? There are certain techniques using A rigs and swimbaits, depending on conditions.. Don't give up on them, they will catch fish.

Weather you use a worm, like 4 or 6" rboworm, or a fluke type bait, nose hooking allows that bait to have more action, as you don't have a hook running through the body as in t rigging it. I use either a octopus or circle hook 99% of the time. Never had a bass come unbuttoned.

Yeah, if your fishing mainly open water, you could easily get by with a good 15 lb line. I use 17 for grass, and semi heavy cover, for open water I'll switch to 15, even in clear water. More important is the rod imho.. A rod rated for 1 to 4 oz would work really well.

For those type and weight of baits, I use Sunline Defier Armilo mono in 17 lb test. Strong and very manageable. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-LNESUNLINE.html?from=basres

For the last few months, I've been using Sufix Camo Elite mono. Very supple line, it also blends in really well in the slightly tea green stained water I fish pretty often. I did use in clear water twice, and had good results. This s now my go to mono line.

Awesome !!!!!!!!!!!!.

I see there are still those talking about a cast when flipping. Again ... there is No casting when flipping.

Haven't tossed any 2 oz baits on my 150, the 200 has that duty. I've thrown 1 oz baits on my 150, and have had 0 issues. Reel is smooth, no geary stuff, I did add a drop of oil to the spool bearings, like I do on all my new reels. As for the Twing, I like it. The 17 lb mono goes through it very easy. I also have some 100's and 200 reels, all perform well.

The last Shimano I bought needed a drop of oil on the spool bearings. Made a big difference in casting.

Probably. I use trout swimbaits in waters that have No trout, yet still catch bass. I doubt shad would be different.

A few years back, I could tie almost any knot fairly quick, the SD jam was my go to knot. I don't use leaders. Getting up in age, plus the meds I have to take causes my hands to shake more than I like, so the uni, or palomar knots are the only knots I can tie within a reasonable time, and get em right the first time. Isn't life grand..? ?

Like Tom, I tie direct to the scrounger. I have had decent luck with fishing flukes that way.

I seldom do finesse stuff. I do fish man made ponds/lakes often, and when I have to fish slow, it's either with a jig or a 2 oz or heavier swimbait, these baits allow me to cast Much further to where the pond is deeper if need be. Although out So. Cali temps don't get all that low, fish will still move to the deepest water, which I can reach with those to types of baits. I will fish those slow. I'm mainly looking for a larger bite. Ya just have to adapt to conditions.

Just out of curiosity, did you happen to open the reel up, and check for proper grease, and oiled bearings, mainly the spool bearings.? Sometimes Dawa's come a little dry. Anyhow, thanks for the report, hopefully in time you get more performance from it.

Have 2 flippin rods, a 7'9" and a 7' 4". The 7'9" lets me get further back in the tullies.

This is about the same for my Diawa reels..

As mentioned, the MS slammer works, as does the Triple Trout. Be sure to check that the weight of the baits don't exceed your rod rating.