Hammer 4

Just don't get any of JJ's magic on you..

Thinking Outside of the box, made a few pro anglers legends..

I've used 8 lb fluro and mono on 2500 sized spinning reels for years. Yeah, I've had break off's, but that's part of the game. OTH, I've caught some 6 lb + fish on it too..so there's that. IMHO, a quality fluro is a must, as with all types of line. Spooling the line on your reels Correctly is also important..

A good quality mono needs No stretching. Sufix Elite is one of the good ones.

In about 50 yrs of fishing, I've been stuck once, by a 7 lb rainbow trout of all fish..Had him on a livetarget lipless crank, did not have a net, went to grab him after a fairly long fight..I thought he was pretty much done...Nope tossed a hook right in the side of my middle finger. I nor anyone around had any spare braid to pull it out, so to the ER I went, and then they took forever, they didn't have any cutters, lucky one of the house plumbers has some, 2 hrs later, I left. Dang trout..haha.

What 1 person may dislike, another may like it...Like most things, rods are subjective.

I received a TW order a couple days ago..No extras for me..They even sent the wrong color buzzbait I ordered..First time that's ever happened after over 10 years of gettin stuff from them.

Owner ST, in various sizes.

By fishing swimbaits slow on the bottom, not necessarily dragging them, they mimic baitfish feeding on things that can found there. Also, you can slow roll them right off the bottom, or anywhere in the water column. What you are trying to do, is give the bass, specifically the big girls, who don't like to Chase bait if at all possible, a chance to see that your bait is either an injured, or just dumb bait fish, this presents a good opportunity for them. If your fishing clear, or semi clear, even some stained water, and you see bass just following your bait, but not committing, give it a good twitch, or burn it a short distance. Butch Brown has caught some BIG bass, up to 19 lbs fishing a 8 and 10 " hudd fairly slow. I believe there is video of him on youtube still. I'v watched him in person, and tried to copy his retrieve, it works. Hope this makes sense. BTW, welcome to the forums.

What's your budget for a rod.?

Not that I'm aware of. Usually you either replace the rod, or have a good tackle shop replace the guide.

Praying he comes through with flying colors..

If you have to handle a fish besides lipping it, have your hands Wet before hand, less chance of wiping the slime off the fish.

How much does your fish finder weigh and what knot did you use..??? Also, did you make an overhand cast..?

The guides face down when reeling. I'm right handed, I prefer a left handed baitcaster so I don't have to switch hands after making a cast. Try both, see what suits you best.

I bought a couple, wasn't overly impressed with them. Was just looking at Siebert's offerings last night..I'll be placing an order asap.

Back when I use to use backing, it was either 10 or 12 lb mono, no matter what size my top shot line was, 10 lb mono/fluro to 50 lb braid. Just make sure the backing is spooled on taught with an even line lay.

Seagar Smackdown 50 lb in grey stealth. Cast's like a dream.

All of my rods are made overseas....

I'm good. JFYI, I saw on TW, that there is an 11 day waiting period on shipping, due to the slash in staffing. I ordered some small reel parts from Asia, and the wait time is shown to be 30 to 50 days.

Maybe not, but...they catch fish, and good sized fish at that. So to me lower cost, and long lasting isn't always a bargain. At some point, I may try the Mr Twister's.

I only use craws I have confidence in, not to say less expensive baits don't work. Been using Rage Tail craws for a long time, and will continue to use them. Although, in the future I may try others.

I've used size 2500 spinning reels for as long as I can remember, which is longer than some of you have been alive..haha Never had an issue where I needed anything larger.

Been doing the through the eye for many years, however, some of the jigs that I bought last year, have pretty dang small eyelets, with even 12 lb mono, it's almost impossible to get 2 wraps in there. Be nice if some of the jig makers would take this into account when making the molds..Oh, so what I did was Carefully ream the hole out just enought to get the double wrap in there.

10 lb Sufix Elite. If i'm throwing to heavy cover, then it's bumped to 17 lb Sufix Slite.