Mike L

Anonymity. No one has a face or name. They’re just a person we know we’ll probably never meet so we don’t care. For some people all basic human kindness and respect is lost. Which is truly sad Mike

Of all the things I’ve read, seen or heard of on here or anywhere else, this is the first time I’ve ever heard about coating fishing line with wax. I guess I need to get out more. ? Mike

I stand until I just can’t anymore. Mike

There are different levels of Portuguese cork which is used on almost all fishing rods. The most expensive rods use the highest grade which makes a big difference in weight, grip and feel. To me the problem with cork makes the rod feel just a lighter heavier compared to a EVA split grip. But it’s not that big of a difference especially using equipment with the higher grade, which is always used on higher end rods made with higher grade materials. You get what you pay for. It’s easier to grip and make an over the shoulder bomb cast with a split, but overall I still prefer a full handle with high grade cork. Mike

Ahh Man that’s Great!!! I so happy for you and your wife.. Now you have a permanent partner. Mike

Put a nail weight either through the nose or across the back depending on how you want it to fall. Mike

Always fill the spool. Use about 20-30% of the spools capacity with cheap mono as backing. Mike

You can use a UV Speed Worm or Cut R skimmed along the top of it. The tails of those will churn that stuff up so the fish can hone in on it. Mike

If you really believe that braided line will make a fish turn away then use it. At least that will increase your confidence level. Of all the diameters of braid, 20# will be seen the least because it is one of the thinnest. I don’t subscribe to that thinking at all, but that’s me. @MN Fisher Answered your other question. Mike

I had my 3 rd back surgery and 2 nd spinal fusion in March of last year. I was down from everything for 5 months. I still get stiff and sore daily a year later but 99% better than what was. It’s hard to stand and balance on a deck all day but I just take a few breaks. Mike

Chatterbaits: Junebug Spinnerbaits: White/Chartreuse Mike

If you have toothy fish in your lake that could explain it from either them grabbing and ripping, or letting it sit on the bottom using braid with an excessive amount of slack. I never seen or heard of them coming apart from just swimming and hooking up. Mike

Define “ falls apart”. I’ve been using them since they came out in 05 or 06 for almost every outing and have never had a problem. Mike

Great Job!! Mike

Still waiting on my Kagen. The anticipation is killing me. Mike

You think so Huh? Ok Most folks are no match for the locals regardless of where you’re at. I just don’t believe in that “1 spot / 1 fish...It’s time to leave” thinking. You may get a fish every time on that one rock, but to believe there are no more in that area is just to limiting. For me anyway Mike Be glad to help you in any way. Mike

Exactly I feel That “1 fish spot” in a large body of water (not a small pond) with ever changing conditions isn’t just a so called ““resident” living there all year by herself. She doesn’t know something that her sisters don’t know. To just head for that piece of whatever she’s relating to and think to yourself “ok I got it, time to move” is limiting your ability to cover that area throughly. The angler who does that is leaving fish to find fish, which most times than not can come back and bite you. Mike

I’ve been fishing Okeechobee for over 35 yrs and in that time I’ve found dozens of places where I’ve caught them on a specific bait with a specific presentation in certain “areas” more than once. In certain times of the year Ive learned where not to go as much as I’ve learned where to go. Want to frog fishing in the winter? Got it! Want to Carolina rig in the summer? Got it! How about which spawning flat is better in early December and which is better in late March? Yep, got that too! If you learn your lake and you know what they do and when they do it, your chances of success go up for sure, But you still gotta put the line in water. Point is the fish are targeting a specific piece of something spread out in a specific area at specific times.. I’m not targeting a specific piece of anything. Mike

@Eddie101 Depending on where I throw it. If over a pad field, which is deadly, I’ll make a steady retrieve and drop in any hole. Once it hits I always shake a little, bring it out and continue. For that I only use the magnum with no weight. If swimming over submerged vegetation I use a steady retrieve. I want it to stay just on top, never felt the need to twitch or jerk. If throwing through and around emergent grasses I’ll periodically drop it next to clump, shake, then continue in. The only variation to a steady retrieve I’ll give the reel a few quick turns when approaching a clump before I drop it alongside. The only size weight I use is a 3/16. That’s for either sizes of the speed worm or Cut R. I use both or just one on every outing. Keep in mind down here the vast majority of the time the water depth is in the 2ft to 6ft range. Mike

One of my most productive top water baits for the past few years has been the Magnum Speed Worm. I’ve done the same with a Cut R when they want a smaller, slower presentations. It swims better on top than the 4” speed worm. Mike

I haven’t gotten the Kaden yet. Im going off what Dobyns told me when I called them. I really like the Siera for frogs. It seems like it was made fir them. I bought the Kaden as a backup frog, buzz bait, swim bait and heavy cover bottom presentation rod. It’s supposed to be on par with thier Champion line for weight, balance and sensitivity which isn’t necessary on a dedicated frog rod. We’ll see Edit...The sensitivity comment was only meant for frog fishing... Mike

The 745C Kaden has a lot faster action than the 735C Siera. If that makes a difference to you. Mike

@TcRoc I’m waiting on a Kaden 745C myself. What do you think of yours? Mike

UV Speed Worm and Rage Cut R Mike

Don’t watch any “You Tubers” Off the top of my head I’d say Hackney, Big O, and Zona. Mike