Hammer 4

A long time ago, when I was using leaders, I would throw 6" Hudds on 40 lb braid, with a 12 lb leader, the knot I used was a double uni, consisting of 6 wraps per side. Never had any issues. And believe me, I was bombing that Hudd.

Without knowing where you will be fishing, as someone said, it's kind of a crap shoot. Anyway, I'll give it a go. First, if the water is on the cool side, big bass do not like to Chase food, so in that respect, a big easy meal is the key. I'd throw a 8" Hudd and very Slowly creep it along the bottom, unless there is heavy vegatation, this makes an easy meal for the big girls. I like doing this especially if you have a riprap. Now if there is vegagation, then I would opt for a 6" weedless Hudd, and again move as slowly as possible, think easy meal. IMHO if the water is warmer, then the bait can be worked a tiny bit faster, if the bass are active. Also, jumbo size worms like the Uptjohn 10-12" worms could be a good choice. Then there are Jigs with big profile trailers that will get big bass. Just make sure to fish Where the big bass are, remember, the bigger the bass the better ambush spot they will have.

I admitt, it's been awhile since I've looked, but when I did, there sure were way more positive reviews compared to the negitive ones. And lets face it, there's always going to be disgrunteled customers, and it usually happens to most products. Also if anyone did a a problem with the Irods, all they had to do is call Matt the owner to resolve it. As far as being "parabolic" my rods work really well, so I can't address that part of it.

Bought 2 1/2 bags of gerociers last night, no meat, and nothing expensive. Cost $ 80.00 Sheesh...

All this talk about Irod quality, all you have to do is take a look at the reviews on TW.

PM Glenn, he can help you.

A Very Happy Birthday to Lynn. Wishing both of you the very best.

As per your diagram, I've always tied mine that way, even in grass and algy.

Then Practice casting. Everyone looses tackle now and then, it's just part of the game. When you start loosing 35.00 baits is when it really hurts...lol

For a guy that spends Hundered's of $$$ on swwimbaits, your complaining about spending 14.00 for a underspin ????

No problems with the EVA grips on my Irods.

Thanks John, thought you did a great job.

Use to be fairly good at guessing weight. Lately with my failing eyesight, not so much lol

Most if not all rods are a wee bit over rated for weight. If a rod is rated say 6 to 10 oz, then usually about 8.5 oz would be the max weight for good casting. This holds true for evey rod I've owned, and yes even my old 807 XP..

I dunno, I use slow sinks, and keeping them above the weeds doesn't require "burning" them. Maybe it's the maker of the baits ?

Yes, most MH rods can handle most if not all other baits as long as the baits are within the rods weight requirements.

This.. Armilo defier

Why 20 lb test ? I would use something in the 15 lb range, unless your fishing over heavy vegetation.

In that case, I'd say the cork grips would be best.

These days, i.e, in the last few years, I prefer a split grip, but everyone has their preference. As a side note, When I was float tubing alot, I could cast my Dobyn's 8' heavy swimbait rod with out any issues, sitting in a float tube you are more restricted in how you can move, so cast a rod 7'9 and longer is doable, just takes some practice. Also note, I have scoliosis and arthritis in my back, casting big baits all day never really affected me.

Usually my Diawa Tatula CT 200. I tried my CT 300 on it just for fun, but the 200 works fine, as would a 150 most likely. For line I use 17 lb mono, unless I'm fishing in heavy mats, then I'll go with 50 lb braid.

I've had this rod for almost a year now, imho, it's kind of between fast and moderate. For me, throwing 6" hudds and like weight baits, the rod is perfect and suits my style of casting. I also have the 8' heavy swimbait Gen III and a couple other models of Irods as well. For 150.00 usd, pretty hard to go wrong.

SDJ has never failed me. And Ditto to what Tom posted.

JFYI, fishing big swimbaits like 8" Hudd, ect, try to think like a bait fish, i.e. don't just cast and start winding, pauses and little twitches can go a long way to hooking the big girls. Also don't rule out SLOWLY working a 6 or 8" soft bait along the bottom to mimic a feeding fish, this makes your bait an easy target for bigger bass, as the really big girls would rather ambush a bait than to have to chase it. This technique requires COMMITMENT, you may get skunked often, but keep at it.

For those that drag a fish across rocks, gravel or grass, doing so removes the slim from the fishes body, which Protects them from Parasites, even handling a bass with dry hands will do the same, if touch any part of the body other than lipping it. By removing the slim, there is a chance the fish could die, so please use a net or whatever means you have to as not to drag them. Just interjecting this mainly for new, or for those that don't know.