Hammer 4

Personally I don't see a need to flip heavier fish. Pro's do it to save time, we are not on the clock. Now, if your catching bucks/dinks, by all means flip in. With say a 5lb and up bass you risk having that fish fly on your deck bouncing around into who knows what, I've seen pro's have this happen, and it's not good for the fish. Bass can't protect their eyes if they are slammed into something. Anything over 2 lbs, gets lipped or netted, for me, it's liping them, I don't, and never have owned a net. While I'm at it, seeing people lay a Bass on the ground with little sticks all over really irks me, good way to damage an eye. Please be Careful with your fish. And my rant is over.

This ^^^^^^. Forceps really can make it easier getting hooks out of fish vs needle nose pliers.

I do the same..

Try it while sitting almost at water level in a Float Tube..Takes a Bunch of practice..and then some..

Use a net, or lip it..

I fish from shore a lot, vs from a boat, I also use 7'4" rod. What all of us use really isn't important, it's what You are comfy using. Distance, go long, you want pinpoint accuracy go shorter..

Yup, you need to add 1 or more washers/shims to get it to lay even. Easy fix. Also, any tackle shops that do reel repairs may have some you could buy.

This is truly heart braking news..It also makes me mad that such a young person passes away due c*****.. Obviously my sincere condolences and sympathy goes out to you, and all of your family. May he rest in Peace. Greg

DVL has smallies...But you have to find them, as they are usually in deep water..I have never caught one, although I didn't spend much time trying.

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

Been waiting on my 68's for what seems like forever. Hopefully I get mine Feb 3rd..

Comon Forrest..you can pull through this..We be prayin for you, and your family.

In the local park lakes/ponds I always hit the north side in the morning, maybe except for Hot summer days. I also do the same on good sized lakes, and had good success.

Rods:...Diawa Tatula XT's..Well built, Light, and sensitive..I have 3 of em. Reels, BC: Diawa Fuego CT..I use mine for froggin, very smooth out of the box, great value. Reels: Spinning, again the Diawa Fuego, great reel, cept for some cases of line lay, super easy fix, these are very smooth out of the box, and at this price point still have the reverse switch.

A-Jay,is that your front yard, if it is, do you have pic of it w/o snow..? :looks Huge compared to yards around here, so. Cali.

Nice..Congratz...Get some pic's up if you can..

I'll second the Tatula XT rod. I have 3 of the XT rods, they look good perform imho at a higher price point, good components. They are a great value.

Hmmm, I would think that just using a hook with a weed guard would be easier.

Another 21 years and you could be like me..haha.. Happy B day..

In my case, my Fuego is as smooth as my other more spendy Diawa reels..I was really surprisedat how smooth it was right out of the box.

Bought a new Shimano reel, fished without doing anything to it. With 12 lb mono, it didn't cast worth snot. I opened up, noticed way to much grease on the level wind, added a drop of oil to the bearings, and wala..it performed like it should. So, sometimes to much, or to little on new reels.

Lookin good Chris..

Have a look at the Irod line up..Very light, well balanced, and super customer service.

Maybe a silly question, but have you checked to see if there is a market for a fish stocking biz..?

OP, you didn't mention what weight jigs you will be throwing. Be a good idea to match the rod power to the lure weight.