Mike L

Thanks! I was wondering about using it for buzz baits also. A friend has one that I tried but he was afraid to use it for anything on top. I used a 3/8 jig on it which seemed perfect for. This weekend I plan on gradually increasing weights up to the 1 oz rating and see how far I can go. It seems to load really quick which is what I was looking for in a MH. Mike

I just bought the Tatula 7’1” MH/XF to be used for all bottom contact presentations except for punching. I haven’t used it yet but it looks (not that it really matters) and feels great. I paired it with a Curado K spooled with 20# Shooter. Even tho I’d prefer it to be a little tip heavy, it balances perfectly. The difference in the guides don’t matter. I was gonna ask if anyone had this also, just to get their opinion. Mike

Don’t think of them as an x ray. Polarized glass eliminates the glare off the water that allows you to see better. They give greater clarity and definition of what your looking at. One thing about them tho, some of the cheaper brands don’t give any UV protection. Mike

I just made the switch to the General. Gonna check ‘em out this weekend. Mike

EXCELLENT!! Congratulations! I gotta start checking the Home Page more often. Mike

To me there are 2 techniques... Power and finesse. For the most part the equipment we use is so different from each other that now we believe 1 combo can’t do everything... *We may want to use a heavier weight sometimes! *We must have a different rod to throw a small treble hooked sq bill in open water compared to a hollow body frog across a pad field. *We need a 3 different speeds of reels, slow for cranking, super fast for bottom contact and something in between for everything else etc. etc. Will all those and more make us better? I would argue No. What it will do is make us more efficient, and increase our confidence level because we have the right tool, which can’t help but make us better. Does a boater with 20 rods on the deck make him better overall in his ability to catch a fish than me who only owns 6?....Nope What it does do is give him more options for every possible scenario and the ability to just grab another by just bending over. I envy the guys who have a combo for every type of bait. But we all learn at some point to make do with what we got. Mike

In another month or so it’ll start settling down.... When you make it down again let me know. Lunch is on me Mike

I just bought a new Tatula MH/XF casting rod which has a 1oz “rating”. A 3/8 seems to be the sweet spot. (20# Shooter) I also have a Phenix M1 MH/F with a 3/4 oz “rating” which is close to its limit for a 3/8. (15# Sniper) Point being, use the rods “rating” as a guide, not gospel. Mike

It is from where I sit! ?

You guys should sign into one if you can. It’s interesting to hear what folks do and how they do it. Even tho we all live in different parts of the country with different variables that effect our game, there really isn’t that much that separates us. The subjects change direction as the conversation continues. It’s more than just putting a pretty face to a name. Mike

Just a standard ribbon tail with a slightly wider mid tail... See Culprit Fat Max without the slight twist. Mike

Thier spawning season overlap a little down here especially in early spring to mid summer. Tilapia will spawn a second time in late summer to late autumn. Tilapia beds are deeper and wider than bass or bluegill. Also like bluegill their beds will be right next to each other. It’ll look like the area was carpet bombed leaving craters. Ive see bass beds near tilapia beds but not close by any means. Mike

Welcome Back! Mike

Great report! Yeah it’s been like that for about a month down here. Seems like a cold front hits us every Thurs or Fri with 20-25 mph winds which makes it tough to find clear water for 3 days. Hopefully the next time you come on down it’ll be a lot more stable. Mike

Yep He’s the Man! Mike

Its really not that hard to do. Just loosen the cast control knob to a point where the lure will drop freely. That’s it. You’ll read where guys will loosen until the spool has a lot of side play but it’s not necessary. All you need is to take enough friction off that will allow you to hit your mark, any more than that isn’t necessary. On my pitching rod it’s no more than about 1/2 turn. When it’s set right you won’t need your off hand at all. Since the reel is engaged when flipping the only adjustment you may want to do is to the drag setting. Nothing else is necessary Mike

A correctly dialed in reel is more important than the rod when pitching. As @J Francho mentioned a well placed pitch can be done with any type or length of rod A longer of each will help with distance somewhat but certainly not required. A correctly powered rod and to some degree line is more important when flipping, consider it up close and personal target placing. An experienced angler can pitch 30 ft with a high degree of accuracy as easily as an inexperienced one can flip 10. Mike

As I see it you have 3 options.... 1) Try to ignore him and live with it. 2) Make friends with him. At the very least you made a friend that you can talk too, that he may not want to lose. 3) Run a trot line 10 ft off your dock from both ends of your property line. Mike

Just 1....735C Mag Heavy Mike

Ditto! Mike

I stock up as needed, but I also fish year round. Mike

Scum Frogs for both. I use a popping one in dark stained water, through and around scattered grass. Walking in clearer and open water and of course over topped out surface mat’s Mike

I remember where and what, but not too much when or how. Mike

Ditto Mike

Really any of your confidence soft plastic creature or stick baits will work. For stick baits I’ve started to use a Max Scent General, which I’m starting to like a lot better than any other. For creature baits it’s either a Rage Bug, Rage Craw or RI Sweet Beaver. They’re the only ones I always have with me. All either in June Bug or GP. For hooks it’s always a 4/0 or 5/0 Trokar TK 130, always snelled. Weights will depend of course. But I don’t subscribe to the common thinking of using the lightest weight you can get away with when trying to get through any type of vegetation. I’m looking for a reaction strike. I don’t want it to flutter on down and sit. It’s in, play with it a little bit, get out and pitch again trying to cover it all from different angles. Good Luck Its absolutely my favorite way to fish. Mike