Mike L

Not odd at all. I always bury my plastic hooks as I use Trokar’s almost exclusively, which are best not to be tex posed Mike

Yes it’ll work, but if it’ll do any good that’s for you to determine. I did it that way a few times when I ran out of glass beads when fishing certain bait’s horizontally with quick drops and pops. But as @papajoe222 mentioned you’ll need more than 1 bobber stop to keep the spacing you’ll need. I snell every bottom contact bait so I can’t help you there. Mike

Katie.. Thats a lot typing for an old guy with fat fingertip’s! My Water… Lake Okeechobee About it?… It’s Lake Okeechobee! Rating… 5+ Stars Why?… Because it’s Lake Okeechobee Mike

Ditto Probably because I never think to throw one. Mike

I’m the opposite I loosen mine every time. It probably doesn’t matter but I’ve been doing it so long it became second nature. But I retie every time too Mike

Rage Menace is another to consider. It’s more compact without the appendages but has great tail action. Mike

I’ve used Sunline Sniper from 12#-20# (Shooter also for that matter) for years and have never had any quality control issues. Both have been consistent in every measurable way. I’d be looking at where you bought it and be skeptical if not at a reputable retailer Mike

All of the Above…. To me a “good bass angler” is one who isn’t afraid to not catch a fish at the same time understanding why he didn’t. He may never know the true reason why but still able to put the little pieces together to be better prepared to Improvise, Overcome and Adapt in every way, every time Mike

Happy Birthday to You! Enjoy your day Mike

I too regret not having the chance to meet up at some point. Hopefully when you feel up to it you’ll be able to sign in and see what everyone thinks of you along with our hopes and prayers Don’t worry about answering. You take care of You Mike

Loomis 843C Mike

May be wrong but more fish have been gut hooked and killed by dead sticking than most any other presentation. If you’re paying attention to feel and sight like any other plastic offering it can be very effective at times, if not what’s the point. Mike

Unless it really thins out with open holes, I wouldn’t waste my time fishing on top of that stuff. She has to come up through all that just to find what’s making all the fuss let alone finding it and decide to hit or not. I’m going down where she’s at and invade her space. Mike

Every large body of water down here will have tournaments almost every weekend from September to July, some lakes having more than one. Just the way it is, can’t get away from it and can’t stop ‘em. I get the whole public waters thing. But If I’m on fish and got a few which made my trip worthwhile I have no problem giving up a spot if asked nicely and respectfully which for the most part is the norm. Most tournament anglers will respect the “50 yd rule” and some do not. It’s your choice how far you want to take it. Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Curado 200E7 Mike

For anything over 10” the Rage Anaconda or the Zoom ‘OL Monster for a tighter wiggle are both excellent. Mike

I got my PB on a red/shad Culprit Fat Max Don’t have to tell me twice! Mike

Gotta Say… All good info and options for a thing I never gave a thought too Didn't realize it was such a thing. 😃 Mike

Gentleman I’m gonna lock this thread as history tells me it will morph into a bash fest which is not the purpose or intent of our site. Live Long and Prosper Mike

Instead of carrying dummy rods during tournaments, I and the vast majority of every long time tournament angler I know, always unhook or cover every piece of plastic rigged before we head in. I first saw that Marshaling an Elite event and always stuck with me. Now seems like we all do it. Mike

Luck has nothing to do with it. As much as you think you both are doing things the same, invariably you’re not. No two people do everything exactly the same even using the same bait being fished what you think is the same way. The “more or less” comment is key. Next time make your offering first and make him just stand there. After awhile, if you get hit or not hand him your setup, don’t change anything then see what happens. Keep in mind if you get bit, and then he doesn’t that may be all that’s home or you got a one moving in or out and that’s all there is. Good Luck Mike

@Swamp Girl Katie, don’t cut yourself short. You just have a leverage disadvantage. Granted I fish mostly out of a 22’ Ranger with a leaning post which has to be the total opposite, of being 2’ off the water in a canoe. But that said, with the right equipment once you get her in mostly open water you’ll have the time of your life being pulled around like skier. Me, I could follow her around with the trolling motor if I had too once she runs, but you not so much. If you put all you have into getting her head up and away, and minimize your leverage disadvantage, you seem to have enough experience to play her until she gives up before you do. Mike

I use Sunline flouro exclusively also, but know a few folks who use their braid and none have ever mentioned a problem with it that can’t be explained away. And it’s not like I missed a conversation or complaint as we frequently discuss among ourselves what we used (equipment setups and tackle) as a few are new to fishing and most have a tendency to keep changing things up. (Which makes me crazy) Anyway, you’ll read the good and bad about everything but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. It took me years to change from Power Pro to Seaguar’s Smackdown braid not because of any problem, but because the long term, consistently positive reviews I’ve read and heard about on here and elsewhere convinced me too. Once I did I have no reason to change back or try something else including Sunline’s offerings. Mike

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto Also, throw that Mag Speed Worm unweighted on top especially dropping it between pads if they don’t want or you don’t want to throw a frog The best condition for me is in and through light to medium submerged grass It’s always my first choice after a top water and used as a primary or follow up Mike