GRiver

One of my favorite lures, and one of my oldest. It is a tried and true lure for sure. I like the F7 or F9 for large mouth or small mouth. I just use an improved clinch knot. After reading this thread, looks like I’ll be trying a loop knot. I fish in many different ways, jerk-jerk pause…. To pull it deep and let it float up…. I’ve had a lot of strikes on the float up. The broke back or jointed works good too.

I usually go about 20-30 minutes with crank baits then switch color. When finesse type, Texas rigged, I pick a spot form A-B and work it. No matter how long it takes, then change color. if I have a gut feeling, sometimes even back track the area.

Do you have to remove your FFS? How do they lock you out? Did I miss it somewhere?

I have been to Watauga lake, it one of my favorites. Used to live near Burnsville Nc, it’s was a couple hrs away from there. I liked fishing in early spring when the lake was let down for the spring thaw.

Very true @Lottabass…. I get your point. How many times have you not caught fish and the person on the other end of the boat is hauling them in. I stand corrected

@Reel is right….. there is always something that put a kink in the chain. If they aren’t biting……we’ll let’s just say it makes it tough to catch them. I agree with @Lottabass too, our skills work for us, accuracy of casting plays a big part in the way I fish. Line, bait, color, rod type make my accuracy easier to achieve. But as @Bankbeater “Nothing beats time on the water”

The weather here has thing off kilter, water is rising on the St. John’s. It’s been pretty windy too.

He is missed that’s for sure…. Thought about him too the other day. I was spooling big game mono…..

Wade fishing was how I got started.

Fabulous!!

I’ve learned that rods that stay in my vehicle are subject to abuse. Sometimes severe abuse, that’s why I get my “ stay in she truck rod” from Walmart or yard sales. Yard sale are hit & miss, Walmart you can get a decent truck rod for well under a $100.00. Even BPS has some medium/fast 2 piece for under that too.

I’ve never went after shiners myself, but I can tell ya what the ole boys around here do, that sell them to the bait shacks. They pick a spot, chum it for a few days, at about the same time, with hog finisher. Then after chumming it for a while, they’ll have a route so to speak. After throwing chum out at various spots, they come back and cast net on them. I know this method might be hard from shore. The shiners are hard to find now that we’ve lost the eel grass. I used to keep a rod rigged with a wild-eyed storm, boot tailed minnow on deck. I would fish each side of the shiner marker with it and I’ve caught some pretty good bass off them.

Good vibes heading you way

Awesome

Ok I went out grabbed a rig, went to the dock, and casted a for a while. Thinking about how I casted was awkward and cumbersome to say the least. Hahaha I do cast with my hand down behind the reel and then slid my hand up and palm the reel. But not really a full palm, just my thumb over the far right part of the reel. But I don’t always do it, I did some pitching and flipping and my hand stays back on the reel and use my thumb to stop and hold the spool. I keep a light drag, so I compensate with my thumb if needed. I tried to cast while palming the reel and it was too awkward and actually got a small bird nest.

It looks mid-evil and dangerous….. my buddy had one that had 1/2 chains the flung the poo…. It went everywhere.

Our was tree up Christmas Eve…. Down New Year’s day.

I fish with lefty reels too. The whole switching hands and cranking right handed feels so awkward. Are you talking about gripping the rod behind the reel …. Where just your thumb rest on the spool to cast, then move your hand up the rod to palm or partially palming the reel. I am going to have to get back with you on that, I’m not sure how I do it. Anybody have any pics?

Hey @Bazoo, I changed spool bearings on some of my cheaper reels. I felt it was worth it, if ya shop around for the bearings. My goal wasn’t distance, there are a ton of other factors that are involved besides spool bearings. My quest was silence, ease of cast and accuracy. Ceramics were a no-go for me because of the noise. I used a decent rated stainless bearing. Got a micro bearing packer, used super lube lite weight grease. After a few dozen cast, the reel seems to settle in and, I have consistent quiet cast. I want to warn you…..when you start super tuning reels. It is a deep dark rabbit hole.

Dang it …. Sorry about that. Will send some mojo your way.

My Dad hooked a smallie, got broke off…. On out way back up stream , a few hours later. He stopped and fish that spot, I’ll be darned if he didn’t catch the fish. Had his green pumpkin zoom worm hanging out the side of its mouth, plus the one he had hooked it with. So yes I believe you can catch the same fish a few times.

I save mine, I just chuck them in and outside packet on my tackle bag. I pick up a yard sale microwave ( don’t use your house one) and an Anchor or Pyrex measuring cup. Heat in small increments until pourable. Got a few open pour molds a buddy gave me, it’s fun. They do turn a funny color, but a little glitter, and I come out with a very unique curly tailed. I don’t think I’ve ever caught anything on them haha.

@Ski happy to hear your numbers are low.

I like the stupid tube, works great in cover. It does take a little practice rigging it. I know you can rig it with any tube but secret lures have a great selection of colors.

Hi from the Sunshine State of Florida