Hammer 4

I would never give up on a lure, as that would possibly limit my chances to catch fish. There are lures I don't use as much as others, but give up on them...No way.

I agree, 8lb braid is pretty small for a baitcaster, spool up some thicker line as was suggested and see if that doesn't cure the problem..

For example. A Diawa Tatula 150 will hold 135 yds of 16 lb line, where as a 200 will hold 185, so yep it's more line.

You could use any reel, 6 to 8 speed, I used a 6:3 for a long time. In the last year, I chose a 8:1 Tatula, which I really like, due to the IPT. Also, if jig fishing, I'll go to my 6:3...I should mention that for pitching or punching, it's 8:1.

I swear, it seems like drivers don't bother looking in their rear view, or side mirrors any longer. People put their blinker on, and just go..wth is that..? I've had more close calls on the freeway in the last 5 years, then I did for the last 45 years.. Opps, I thought he meant a car...........DOH.

You guys are Crazy...in a good way though..

A blast from the past...

I used Stren way back in the 60's, if my memory serves, I continued to use it in the 80's. Then I switched to trilene for years. In the early 200's I used YoZuri hybrid soft. Stopped fishing for a few years due to health issues. A year ago, I went back to trilene, then I tried Sufix Elite, in camo..to me it was a game changer, soft, no memory, decen knot strength..and reasonably priced, and it comes in 330 yrd. spools. I liked the sufix so much, I bought 6 more spools in various lb tests.

Re: bank fishing a drop shot, is it possible that you did something wrong..? I've caught tons of fish dropshotting from the bank. I almost 100% of the time use a 4" roboworm, usually in hologram shad, on 6 or 8 lb fluro, but I have used mono also. Also, I keep the bait no more than 12" off the bottom, usually less.

If your really flippin or pitching, your not making long cast's but rather short ones. In flipping you don't really cast. Look on youtube about how to flip, if don't already know. Pitching for me is maybe 20 to 25 yards at most, i.e as in punching. Like MN, I also use a Diawa Fuego 8:1 reel, due to short amount of line you need, large capacity aren't needed. I also use that reel for froggin, so I have 50 lb braid spooled up on it. If you have a 150, it will work, the speed is more important.

I totally agree.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to all of ya's..

Most people here in So. Cali have alarms on their cars, as do I, except I had motion detectors installed on my truck, which is parked about 20' from my bedroom window. We also have a home alarm system, if the alarm doesn't deter a thief, then my 90 lb black Shepard will. Not only does she bark, she will growl loudly, most people don't like that..haha.

I think handle length is a personal thing. For me, I'm 6'+ On a rod that I throw baits say under 3 ozs, I prefer a shorter handle. I have a Irod 783sb which is close to your 795 only mine has a split handle, I throw 2.6 oz and under with it. On a rod that I would toss say 4 oz to 6 oz, I prefer a longer handle just for the leverage it provides while casting heavy baits all day. IMHO, handle length doesn't mean longer cast's, it's the technique, let the rod do the work.

In open water, I use a 7 m spinning rig with 5 to 8 lb line. If there is any light to med cover, I use a 6'9" mh baitcasteing rig, with 10 lb mono, and mainly throw 6 and 7" senco's on that.

Also, you could rent a skiff in newport harbor, and fish for halibut, sandies, spotted bay bass, ect..Fresh water bass lures will work for salt bass. Here's a link. https://www.daveyslocker.com/rental-boats-electric-fishing/skiff-rental/

After much thought, I believe that I've caught bass on about every type of lure except a buzz bait, granted I didn't, and still don't fish them a lot.

We had our 20th last June, but that was 30 years ago..haha. Congratz..Happy wife, happy life.

Good call, on giving it a rest.

I've had my Fuego 2500 for some time now. Yes I had to add a washer, but it's really simple if you just cut the the plastic keeper off. You just have to remember Not to turn the reel upside down when removing the spool, took me about 60 seconds to add a washer. Would I buy another Fuego spinning reel, yup, in a heart beat, this reel is much smoother than anything in it's class and some that cost more.

Rod ratings are seldom, if ever true, i.e. they may say 4 oz, but in reality 2.5, maybe 3 oz would be the max. I don't fish treble baits with mine, but I would guess that with the softer tip, you should be o.k., providing you fight the fish correctly. I'll see if my Son has any 3 oz baits that I could try, if so. I'll post a review, but it won't be until after Christmas, which may not be of much help.

I have that exact same combo, with 17lb Sufix Elite line. I throw 2 oz huds well, however tossing a 3 oz bait (might) be pushing the limit of the rod. I have not tried any 3 oz baits yet, so take that with a grain of salt.

In the 2 oz range, 6" hud weedless is a good choice, at about 2.6 oz. the hud 68 works great. For open water you get the top exposed hook, for cover I like the weedless version.

I have the Irod swimbait jr...Great rod, light, softer tip for tossing baits a mile, and a really good looking rod, imho.. So yeah, I vote the Irod, which is the 783sb.