Darren.

You better lock this thread before we get tu far out of hand.

I'm more in line with @d-camarena that it could likely be a customer return. Bought a Milwuakee M12 tool at Home Depot last year. Get home, open it up and it was covered in sawdust, used.. The box was meticulously put back together, looked new on outside. Return people don't always inspect returns, as I've seen too often. But I think you're on the right track with the emails. Sounds like TW is doing you a solid. Hope Z-Man responds in kind.

Yeah man, but it's a hard C! <voice of Bill Paxton in Aliens>

LOL. Marketing...they removed the diacritical mark over the u that gives it the OO sound! (**I'm having fun with this, and just playing with how we in America mess with pronunciation, spelling, phonetics, and so forth***) I actually think their products are pretty cul. Get it? <shows self out> https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hook hook noun \ ˈhu̇k \

I don't think it's too common unless perhaps the drag was too tight. I usually go a little lighter for drop shot line-wise, down to 6# leader on 10 or 15# braid. I like to keep my drag a little loose, too. Caught a 5#er on drop the other week. As for light wire hooks, my fave are Gammy Split shot/drop.

Oh that's baaaad.

Ok, I get it now, BUT they could have used the actual phonetic which is hʊk - notice the U is from the international phonetic alphabet. I actually think that would have made a cooler looking logo!

I always thought "huck"...but why not use an accent character over the u to give it the "oo" sound?

Too true. On the flip side, if you have one that reads both lbs/kgs, reading the kilograms by accident will make you depressed, LOL. I know, I did it once when guiding a friend. I couldn't understand why a certain 5 pound bass was only reading 2.2lbs...then on the next fish I realized I was reading kilos, not lbs.

Pffft. Ridiculous topic. No one lies. Ever.

I use braid on all my reels, too. Fade happens with PowerPro, but IMO, not badly. My yellow PP is still in pretty good shape. Maybe try @WRB's suggestion for a non-bleeding braid...

A zero fish outing happens to all of us. Just keep at it and don't let it mess with your confidence. Try new techniques, colors, etc.

Welcome aboard!

Never used the Orvis knot, but is a good one. I actually use the uni knot and palomar for most terminal knots, even in saltwater. But excellent you found one that works well for you.

Chris, I use 10# and leaders down to 4, but you should look up some of @Team9nine's posts, he uses sub-10# braid very often for finesse techniques.

Interesting, and I appreciate your reply. I switched from EWGs to O'Shaugnessy bend hooks a few years back, and while I normally go with Gamakatsu, I believe my packs of Os are Bass Pro, and not quite thin wire, esp. up in the 4/0 range. I like your last sentence regarding larger profile of the EWG and 4/0 hitting fish's mouth. Can't really say the same for the O'Shaugnessy, but I've had very good success with them.

Excellent!

Sounds like you might be getting the knot really tight too high up then the cinch down causes the line coils. Try tying it a little loose and gently work it down as you slowly tighten the knot to the swivel eye. Unless you've already done this and it didn't help.

Nice story! And congrats on the PB!

Sounds like you're covered unless you want to spend more money on a M setup! #baitmonkey

Wow. Kudos on the brown beast!

Welcome aboard! Was gonna say to check Cabela's house rods, as @islandbass recommended, so yeah, good idea! Though I've only put hands on them in-store, they were nice feeling, balanced rods. As for Bass Pro, their Carbonlite lineup is quite nice and super light....

PowerPro regular and Super Slick 8

In the $50 price range, a great rod would be the Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. Really good rod. They make 6'6", 7', and 7'6" 1-piece ML rods. Scratch the 6'6", it's a 2-piece.

Welcome aboard! I'd fish 'em, if allowed. Only way to find out