Robertqq

Hello, Not an expert by any means, but would like to learn and improve. Using Power Pro line on a spinning reel. Wow ! Couldn't be happier with this stuff. a. is this line "supposed" to float, sink, or be neutrally buoyant ? b. do small Pond fishing; nothing "big". Lots of Smallmouth, Largemouth, Crappie's, etc. Some Chain Pickerall too. Would it help, do you think, to use a foot or two long Fluorocarbon leader at the end ? Now, I either tie the line directly to the bait (with a small ball bearing swivel), or at times I use a piece of mono. Can never make up my mind as to if the mono helps, or not ? Do you think a piece of Fluoro would be better ? Why ? c. BTW: does Fluoro sink ? Thanks, Bob

Hello, Have just started experimenting with jigs. Purchased some of those smaller "football" style ones, that supposedly stand upright, irrespective of how they landed. Question: what do you think of using a Yamamotor 3" or 4" Crawdad on a jig, rather than the normal "worms" ? This would be fishing in a freshwater pond, with a lot of (not all that big) Largemouth and Smallmouth. Perhaps 1 or 2 pound size, max. Any hints on fishing techniques for small jigs like I'll be using would also be appreciated. Main question, though, is using a Yamamoto Crawdad on a small jig ? Thanks, as always, Bob

Hi Guys, First, thanks for all the past help and suggestions. Has really helped me. a. Bought a package of Yammamoto "Flappin Hog" plastic baits. Anyone have any idea what these are supposed to immitate ? Probably not a Crawfish, or it would have said that, i imagine. Just some "generic" looks-good-to-eat kinda thing, or...? b. Also got some 3-3/4 Yamamoto Crawdads. I have had good luck wacky rigging his 4 and 5 inch worm Senkos. For his Crawdad's, and also for the Flappin Hog, anyone have any thoughts on fishing these as a Wacky Worm style, or best to stick with the conventional kind of setup. Both of these are "only" 3-3/4 and 4 inch sizes, so not all that big. Thanks, Bob

Hi, What's the "theory" or opinions as to why Red Hooks are supposed to be more effective ? Is it true in your experiences ? Or just another marketing ploy ? Thanks, Bob

Hi Guys, What a great Forum. Thanks so much for all the info. Just a clarification please: I see that there are "Octopus" Hooks, and also "Octopus Circle Hooks" Which do you think would be better for Wacky Worm fishing (small Pond stuff, but lots of 'smallish' Largemouth) ? Pros and cons of each style hook ? Thanks, Bob

Hello, Started fishing the "wacky worm" style, and was wondering regarding the style of hook is "best". Any advantage to using a "worm type" hook with the small bend near the eye, or just stick with a normal straight Aberdeen hook stype ? Why ? BTW: have had really good results using a 4" Senko on Largemouths. Small Pond up here in Mass. Thanks, Bob

Hi, Got to wonder about this a bit. Have several Spinning Rod setups, and am quite happy with them for Pond and Lake fishing. But, what is the latest thinking and opinions on when it is desireable to use a Bait casting Reel setup rather than a Spinning Reel ? What do the "Pros" usually use ? Why ? What are the perceived advantages and disadvantages of each ? etc. ? Thanks, Bob

Hello, Great Forum. Thanks all for previous help. Just curious about others experiences with this rod. Have an 8 foot, UL Daiwa Spinmatic. (Spinning) Great rod, in my opinion, for the $. At my age now, I have been having significant problems in casting most anything with my older, shorter, spinning rods and achieving any kind of distance. Wow ! With this rod I can toss items literally a mile. But, it sure has a floppy, whippy, tip section. Am always afraid of breaking the tip, even with small Crappies. Can't believe the bend it takes. Always expect to hear "snap" ! Also a bit hard to set the hook due to the flexibility of. Hints ? Anyone have any experience with this 8' Ultra Light rod ? Thoughts on ? Prone to snapping ? etc. BTW: anyone know of any 8' rods for under $50 that are "a bit" less whippy ? Will probably keep using the Daiwa, as it's a real fun rod to use, but may go for another rod also. Thanks, Bob

Hi, Fish a Pond near house outside of Boston. Lots of Largemouth, Smallmouth and Crappies, mainly. Nothing "massive"; about what one might expect in a N.E. Pond. Tried a Jig for first time, and had some luck with it. Just a regular no-skirted jig with a 4" Senko tied on. Also picked up some of the Skirted variety, and hence my question. Do you fish these by themselves, as they (already) have a Skirt on them ? Or, in addition to the Skirt, you want some kind of a Trailer also ? If so, suggestions ? e.g., a Senko Worm, or...? Friend suggested using a Plastic Crawdad on it as a trailer, but If I do put a Plastic Crawdad on as a trailer, together with the Skirt, i can't imagine what any fish would take that combination for ! ? But...? Thoughts on ? Suggestions ? Thanks, Bob

Hi, (From OP:) Thanks for your time and help. The Dock at the Pond where I usually fish from has about a 3 foot railing. Hoisting the "large" Bass out of the water and thru the 3 ft of air is the situation where it looks like the rod is about to break. I've started using the Wacky Worm rig with a 3 or 4 inch Senko. Other than that, most of my fishing is with the smaller Mepps Aglia in-line Spinners (0 to #3). These have just about always proven to be the most productive item in my tackle box Best regards, Bob

Hello, What a great Forum. I've learned so much. Have a 7 foot Gander Mountain Spinning Rod. Great rod, really like it a lot. But, being a (very) Sr. Citizen now, was looking for getting a few more feet in my casting. So, I bought an 8 foot Daiwa Spinmantic Ultra Light. Wow; can now cast a mile. Great rod for the small Crappies, etc. that I usually get. Both of these rods are pretty cheap; $ 30 range. Quality, Finish, Cork, Guides, etc. really nice. Amazing that they can still make a profit selling at this price. But, the 8 foot Daiwa UL is next to useless for the occasional (very) "large" Largemouth I get. Tip is way too soft, not enough backbone, etc. Seems to be on the verge of breaking with a 2-3 pound Largemouth on, but maybe that is just a false impression ? Likely ? What do you think ? Tip is very soft, and rod just about bends back on itself, it appears. So, am thinking of another 8 footer, but not an UL. Anyone suggest any, also in the $ 30 range ? What do I want; what's called a Light, or Med.-Light, or... Love the UL for what I usually catch, so don't want to go too much heavier. What would be the designation for "just a bit" heavier ? Suggestions ? (Brand, Model, and why, etc.) Much thanks, Bob

Hello, Started using the wacky worm rig in a small pond up here outside of Boston. Have a piece of Shrink Tubing in the middle of the worm, and hook the worm thru this tubing and the worm. So the hook is Perpendicular to the worm's long axis. First time I've tried them. Real novice at this. Would really appreciate your thoughts and opinions on the following, please: a. What style of hook do you find best ? Normal Aberdeen straight (long) shank, or an offset worm style hook, or...? Why ? b. What hook size for a 3" Senko ? What hook size for a 4" Senko ? Much thanks, Bob

Hello, Ben reading about Shaky Head jigs, and although have never tried any, probably will. But was wondering: What makes a Shaky Jig Head a Shaky Jig Head as compared to all the other jig head styles that are available ? What "magic" in it's construction does it have ? Is it simply that it is designed to always land on the bottom with the hook point up, while other jig head styles can land almost any-which-way ? Or,...? Thanks, Bob

Hello, Have started using wacky worms/rigs. Never have before, but the first time I tried them in a local Pond, rsults were great. I have a short piece of that PVC electrical shrink tubing over the middle section of the worm, as suggested. Good idea. a. do you folks actually heat the tubing to shrink it on the worm Very tightly, or just leave it alone and a bit looseloose ? b. for either way, do you put the hook thru the exact center of the worm's diameter, or just try to put the hook Only thru the tubing at the very top of the worm (no hook thru any portion of the worm itself) Thanks, Bob

Hello, Used a Wacky Rig for the first time. Actually caught a nice size Largemouth on it, amazingly, but would like to attach it "correctly," Hence my question. What's the best way to attach: What I have now is the line (braided-6 lb) attached to 12" of clear mono, and then a very small snap swivel a. What I have now ? b. The line directly to the hook; no mono or snap swivel ? c. Or,...? Do you think the small snap swivel imparts any non-desireable weight on the worm (a Senko) ? Clear Mono a good idea, or hardly matters usually ? Thanks, Bob

From OP: Good info., thanks Guys. Forgot to ask in the original Post: Any thoughts or opinions on Treble Vs. Single Hooks (for the Mepps Spinners) in the smaller <size 4 sizes ? Why ? Thanks again, Bob

Hello, Realize that this is a sport, and not a science, but was curious about what other's have experienced, and perhaps also "why". Do Pond fishing outside of Boston. Pond has the typical variety: Lots of Crappie, Largemouth and Smallmout, Chain Pickeral, and Yellow perch. My favoriet lure is, and always has been one of the Mepps in-line Aglia Spinners. Nearly always works, and seems to work on most everything. I have found that the Un-Dressed, bare hook works best, by far. The Dressed one's don't produce nearly as many; they work, but not as well, for sure. Anyone else experience this difference ? Any ideas why ? Bob

Hello, Thought I'd try "Wacky Worm" rigging for (hopefully) Largemout in a small Pond. Has some "decent" size ones apparently, but Pond is too small for the "monster" Largemouth variety. I guess the Gary Yamamoto worms are the ones to try. Questions: a. Are they really "better" than others ? b. He has several varieties of the plain worms; which style should I try ? The Senko's, or...? c. What Length for my Pond, do you think ? d. Any other Brands/Styles that you would recommend also, that might be a bit cheaper ? Don't want any with Salt; correct ? Thanks, Bob

Hello, Fish in a small Pond in Mass. that has mainly Crappie, Largemouth and Smallmouth. Also has Chain Pickeral, which is mainly what I need some advice on. Have been trying some of those plastic 3 and 4 inch Crawdad imitations. Am convinced that I don't fish them "correctly". Do I just let them sink to bottom, and do nothing ? Or, now and then, raise the rod tip slightly to give some motion ? Or, a very slow retrieve ? Or,...? Do Bass like these smaller Crawdad's also ? Smallmouth and Largemouth both ? Any hints on rigging and fishing them would be most appreciated. Thanks, Bob

Hello, Anyone have any thoughts or opinions on the Gander Mountain Advantage Spinning Rods ? They are made in China (surprise), and are of IM6 Particularly the 7' two piece Medium Light one. Or on any other ones. They are Very cheap; about $ 24, but seemto be nicely finished with decent Cork and Aluminum-Oxide Guides. Thanks, B.

Hi, Do mainly Pond fishing; small crappie's, smallmouths, etc. Use those Offset Worm style hooks on various sorts of plastics. Would like to find these hooks with an extra-long shank so that I can get the hook point further back in the plastic. Think I'm missing a lot of hook ups due to the point being too far forward. Does anyone offer offset eye hook styles like this with a longer shank ? Or, to get one, you just have to go to a larger size hook, which I really don't want to do ? Looked, but couldn't find any source for. Are there ? If so where, and what is the hook style called; Aberdeen's, or...? Thanks, Bob

Hi, Thanks for suggestions. Will certainly try the stiffer mono leader. Question: just so I can learn something: Why the suggestions for doing away with a snap swivel and going to the loop-knot ? Not debating that it doesn't; if suggested I'm sure that it does, but hard to visualize why this might work better (than the snap swivel) ? Why does it ? Thanks, and best regards, Bob

Hello, Great Forum. Do Pond fishing for the most part, and use a 7' UL Spinning rig. Rigged with about (hard to remember at my age) 6 pound test Power Pro. Have been trying some small Rapallas lately. Both floating and sinking styles. All with two treble hooks. I have about a four foot mono leader, with snap swivels, between the line and the lure. About 50 % of the time, when I look at the lure after retrieving it, the mono is tangled around the treble. Not sure if it happens during the cast itself, or during the retrieve. Driving me crazy. Any hints on how to avoid this would be most appreciated. Thanks, Bob

Hi, Thought I would try some Tube Baits with Jig Heads for the first time. Do Pond fishing mainly. So, I bought some small tube baits. The kind with the multitude of wiggly tails. Seem to be of the hollow inside type. Probably should have thought about this some more, but also picked up a package of jig heads. Not sure, though if they are what I need, or want. They are: Eagle Claw Tin Ball Head Jig 1/8 oz NLJB03-18 They have a painted head (with a painted eye), a small single Barb, and the eye for attaching a line is out the TOP. Would like to insert them from the back, and have the line-eye come out the top of the tube, rather than have it all in the front.. But since these are painted, and have barb, I now am guessing that they are only made for inserting from the tip/front of the tube. a. Is this correct ? Can they, these heads that I bought, also, be used by inserting from the rear, or are really made for front insertion only, as they have a barb, are painted, etc. ? ? b. Is there likely enough "meat" on these hollow tubes to use them from the front of the tube ? c. Can anyone please point me to what I should buy if I want to insert the jig from the rear ? Are there any good links or videos that describe these methods ? Thanks for all the previous help, Bob

Hi, Have started using Spinner Bait lures in my neighborhood pond up here in Mass. Never have before. Never would have believed that something so dumb looking actually works, but it sure does seem to on everything in the Pond (Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass), even including Crappies. Anyway, the ones I have just have that bent wire section for attachments.. No eye or loop. I have been using a barrel snap to connect, and every few casts the snap "rides up" on the wire a bit and tangles up the line and lure. Guess i could just tie the line to it, and that would probably work. But if I want to still use a snap swivel to minimize line twist, how can I keep the snap from riding up the wire ? Should I just use a long nose plier and try to crimp down the wire to make a pseudo eye ? Or, is there some better trick or technique ? Thanks, Bob