Dockhead

So I've had several Diawa spinning reels over the years. My current reel (a Lexa) has always had a drag that "sticks." It has been like this since I bought it. Basically, when I pull the line it does not want to leave the spool, even set at low drag. Same for hook sets. Anyone ideas on a fix?

Ok, thanks for the help.

Anyone know of a way to get Mend-It "ungummed?" I have half a bottle that has been sitting in the garage and it's so thick that it has become unusable.

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member." -Groucho Marx

I'd call Tarpon in the summer an open water lake. Lots of guys have brushpiles out there and they run around hitting those all day. Usually some open water grass holding fish, and more deep water/humps than a typical Florida Bowl.

I agree it seems like if they really "needed" braid in these conditions they would use it one way or another. So what about fluoro vs. mono/hybrid lines? Fluoro is more expensive and there could be more profit involved for the sponsor, would make sense for them to be trying to advertise that more, right? I don't use a lot of fluorocarbon, but doesn't it need to be changed out more often than mono/hybrids? Pros obviously can change it as much as need be, so that is not a factor for them. But is fluoro that much better than mono or the hybrid lines? I recently talked to a saltwater guide who did not think the "invisibility" of fluoro was a real thing, but of course people also like the low stretch and abrasion resistance.

I was just reading about last week's FLW tournament on Toho. I noticed most of the top ten used fluorocarbon with their soft plastic presentations. I was surprised by this, and not only because I use braid for those same techniques. Seems the vast majority of people that I fish with or talk to that fish Florida waters on a regular basis, generally use braid as well for their soft plastic offerings. So am I missing something? Or do these guys fish these lines (or say they do) because it's their sponsors biggest money-making product so they need to push it? I'm feeling a little insecure about using so much Power Pro all of a sudden. Thoughts?

Thanks Roger. It does have a unique look to it. Well, for a worm that is...looks like a grub that has been working out. Maybe it's time to start producing your own baits??

Sounds like a great day. When I go out with my son we have a fishing "contest" (rules vary) and a wildlife spotting contest. He is just as excited about the wildlife viewing as fishing. I remember you talking about that Deps bait before, I never did find any. Have you found anything similar to it? What exactly does it look like?

Don't forget to check the flea market forum.

If I really had a hankerin' for some freshwater fillets I'd be more likely to spend some time filling a bucket with bluegill. Better tasting to me and much better for my future angling prospects.

Where you are, in the Tampa Bay area, you certainly can catch plenty of fish on nothing outside of soft plastics. You can cover everything from top to middle to bottom; crawling to swimming to buzzing. My only suggestion would be to add some slow moving topwaters to the mix. A Devils Horse (prop bait), a Pop R (Popper) and a Spook (Walk the Dog) are the main fixtures. Not only are they extremely effective at certain times, they are addictively exciting.

Thanks for all of the input. Nice review Mr Franchot, very helpful. Definitely thinking about trying that one.

I've been thinking about selling my 4 Greenies for about 2 years now and finally put them up on the flea market yesterday. After reading all these positive comments I feel my heart strings twinging a bit. Might need to rethink it... Definitely won't be upset if they don't sell.