Darren.

Welcome aboard, John! @A-Jay is right, this is one of many many good drop shot posts on the forums.

My guess? A duck Sweet, fat, healthy catch! Congrats!

Chris, I use some fly tying techniques. A single knot wouldn't do the trick. I do basic variations of the video below (check his other vids, too). This guy is awesome for tutorials. Only thing is I tried using lighter line for weedguards like he uses and they were worthless, hence 40 or 50# leader line.

All good. I have a relative...on my wife's side who is a conspiracy buff...I don't even want to go into the nonsense it is so far out there. But on a side note, I'm binging on X-Files on Neftlix!! LOL

I'm all about glass, the 580G. However, don't sit on them. Mine have been in a box waiting to be sent in for lens replacement. Might have to wait till taxes are done. Sigh... I have the amber lens. Oh, and I second the recommendation to go in and try several pairs on. I tried some on at BPS, some at a local shop and found the right fit for me. Ended up buying from a legit dealer on ebay for much less.... You do have to watch out for fakes, though.

Looks good! Do hope they last. My folks Toyota was forever losing caps to train tracks or pot holes.

Do you mean the cataclysmic event supposedly coming this century? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibiru_cataclysm I chalk it up with all the other far out theories: Jesus' return in 1988, BigFoot, Ogopogo, etc. Put Josh Gates on the case!

I remember one of my digi-scales, it was new at the time, was set to kilograms. I couldn't for the life of me understand why the bass I weighed were so under the visual weight. After I realized my error, all the bass were proper! Then I lost the scale to Davey Jones' Locker... As for bass on the ground, it is not good for them, of course, but hopefully those who do such get 'em back ASAP. I do lay bass on my Hawg Trough in order to measure. But I also consider myself a conservator when it comes to nature, so I try to get each fish back ASAP.

Welcome aboard, Josh!

If a rod breaks in a "can't use it anymore" kind of way, I'll replace it. Otherwise I try to keep using it unless its action changes significantly. In that case, it will fall into the above category and either be repurposed or replaced.

Welcome aboard, Steve!

Welcome back, Danny!

Both are excellent hooks, but I tend to like the DS version a little better for drop shot. I like the Wide Gap for wacky rigging. However, and this may not interest you at all, I got tired of buying the 5 packs and decided to make my own weedless hooks using a cheap fly tying vise, 40# mono leader line, thread, and some black hard as nails nail polish. Results have been fantastic for me. Pix below are the Wide Gap hooks.

Absolutely! I do it all the time. A couple of the posts above do mention heavier spinning gear for the nasty slop stuff. But yeah, some of the more powerful spinning gear gets heavy...unless you use something like a Stradic CI4+ in a 3000-4000 size. I use 1000 size reels, ML and M power rods for all my spinning needs. A 1000 is too light for some of the heavier weighted techniques, but I don't do those. Casting is great for this, as mentioned. And the tape trick is one of the best tips to ease the pain of backlashes while you learn thumb control.

Hmmm... do nothing rig for me would probably be between a GYCB Shad Shape Worm on the drop shot, or a 4" Stik-O wacky rigged. Though I tend to be fairly active with both, there are days when I cast them and "do nothing".

Now THAT was a GAME!!!!

Maybe a setup for punching into thick grass?

Very cool! Turtles are the coolest thing I've caught. Slimiest thing has to be the American Eel...

Yes, but not jigs. I used a drop shot with a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm and caught a mess of smaller striper and other species. My son catches striper and blues with a storm swimbait though that's marketed for both bass and saltwater species.

Welcome aboard, Keith!

At least our Bills seem to be putting together a competent coaching staff this offseason. But for 17 seasons, I am still nervous...yet as a Bills fan, I keep coming back year after year after year for more. Hoping *this* year is gonna be different. As much as I can't stand the Pats, it pained me to pick them, and I still think they have a great shot...but who the heck knows. Good football ahead today either way!

Almost no offseason in VA, either... But for me it is HoneyDo lists around the house this season...

Until last night I hadn't seen the Falcons play all season. Wow, that's quite a potent offense. They'll pose quite a challenge if they make it all the way to the SB. I could see them running roughshod over the Pats' defense if they meet in the SB. And I picked the Pats to win it all this year. Now I'm not so sure... But think I'll stick with my pick for now as I think Tommy Boy has some more turf nuggets to rub in the Commish's face for that suspension.

Welcome aboard, Stephen! I use 10# and 15# Power Pro on all my spinning rigs, and I always tie a leader of varying pound test. Been using fluorocarbon leaders lately in 6, 8, and 10# tests. But I'll use copoly from 4-15 as well... As for 8# PP, that's some mighty thin line and would be great for a lot of things from drop shot to wacky to light TX and mojo rigs.

Sweet stuff, @SPEEDBEAD.!