Mike L

Mrs Mike got her 2nd Tuesday and felt fine. But all day yesterday she felt a little under the weather. This morning she’s back to her more jovial self. ? Mike

Then you made the right choice. Mike

Yes, the 735C. I like an XF action for flipping and/or pitching. The power, balance and weight of the rod is great. It does everything I use it for very well. Mike

I got the Siera and use it for frogs, buzz baits, swim baits and heavy spinnerbaits Haven’t used it for pitching or flipping which I’m sure it would do fine at, but it’s too soft for my liking. Mike

20# Mike

Pre spawn has mostly come and gone down here. There are some lakes in Central and North Florida that have a higher percentage. If I was to target them my favorites are a white/chartreuse spinner/chatter bait, and a RI Houdini Skinny Dipper. Mike

I’m to the point now and have been for awhile that I only buy to replenish. I don’t try anything new just for the sake of trying something else or just to experiment because it looks good. What I use is what I have confidence in and are proven producers. Mike

She’s a keeper!! Mike

Whew! I should have waited for you to respond first. ? Mike

I use either 16# Sniper or 20# Shooter for 1/4 or 3/8 oz chatter or spinner baits. Which I chose is totally dependent on cover. I feel no appreciable difference in either but I use 2 totally different rods. Mike

You lost me when you said snow! Mike

There isn’t an “ideal” length. It’s what you’re more comfortable throwing. I have a 7, 7-1 & 7-3 all with different lines and reel’s with different speeds. Mike

My new Tatula with the XF rating also has a narrow tip section as does my older Smoke that is my dedicated punch stick. Most all do. Mike

Interesting.... I’ve never oiled the thumb bar on any reel! Mike

Ditto Size, Style and rigged as needed. There is no one way. Mike

Trokar Mag Worm Mike

A properly calibrated, experienced thumb is the best drag and almost always better in all situations. There is no guesswork involved. That being said, pulling a 6 lb bass out of a 2ft thick mat of hydrilla using both, again if set correctly, can be the best way. Mike

FYI You can also cast, pitch and swim a flipping jig. Mike

I just got the Dobyns 735C based solely on the recommendation from more than a few members here. I use it for frogs, keel weighted swim baits, heavy spinnerbaits and buzz baits. Some folks say it’s a good flipping/pitching stick but it’s too soft for my liking. Mike

Always a plastic trailer on a jig. Only a trailer hook on spinner. Mike

Nope No boat either Mike

Exactly Right! How many of us after about 15 min of cast, after cast, after cast do we say to ourselves or anybody who’d listen... “They’re here, I know they’re here, I can feel it, I can smell ‘em” Then we say “screw it, I’m gonna try down there”. If we only knew how many fish looked at our bait and then just turned away, we’d give up and join a knitting class! Mike

Timing of when you decide to move to a different spot. Timing of when to change baits. Timing of getting to your first spot in a tournament before someone else does. Timing to get that last cast in before you leave so you’re not late for weigh in. Timing to drop and position the net. Mike

Me too!! Finally found a boater who’s as bored as I am. Mike

I stopped using the baby ones all together and only use the standard size ever since the Rage bug came out. I know they’re a completely different bait, but something that size I’m convinced it’s more about the action that gets them vs the size or bulk. To me the standard size is a kicker fish bait that in certain conditions has no equal. Mike