Mike L

3 pages of responses and everything from the level wind, gears, frame materials and drag washers etc etc. have been discussed. To me nothing is more important than your thumb. I really don’t care what kind and how powerful my drag is. Using your thumb to lock a spool down if you’re into that, gives you the best way to adjust a set and retrieves without undo stress on anything especially for frog fishing. Then it’s just your rod, line and you Mike

Unpegged 3/16 the majority of the time Also, I use a ewg 4/0 hook for the Magnum and 4/0 skip gap for the standard size. Mike

Use a heavier spinning outfit if you have one if swimming through moderate grass. If you hook up with one you’re gonna need the power. Especially if you use the Magnum. Mike

The Magnum is my #1 bait of choice every outing. Been that way for years. I will only peg the standard size on occasion but only when I feel the need. Mike

The year I qualified for the All American most of the time my boater wanted to position us about 20ft from a shear wall and hop jigs down its face, but we were sitting over 60 something fow! I couldn’t believe it. Talk about being out of my element!’ With about an hour left he had 2 I think and of course I had none. When we finally left he said we’re gonna finish up around the dock. I almost hugged him! 😀 I ended up with 3 I didn’t qualify or cash of course but it was an education I never want to have again. Mike

That’s about right for me too ! I’ll obviously fish deeper if I have too, but rather not. Mike

I understand what you’re asking, but for me that’s 3 different combos 30# braid for all top water except frogs which is 50#. 12# fluorocarbon for jerk baits and any light t rigs. You can get away with 30# braid for what you want to do and be fine. But always be mindful of setting and landing with trebles using braid Mike

30# braid Never use a leader. I’m in the process now of changing brands which has been eye opening for me. I’ve always used original Power Pro for the 3 presentations that I use braid on. I changed over to Seaguar’s Smackdown and was really surprised and impressed with it. It’s smoother coming off and I get more distance which for me is critical as I’m more of a placement caster even in open water as opposed to just throwing and hoping. The biggest change for me was for frogs. I use the Scum line exclusively with the small original one being my go to which I use 50#. Before the switch being a course 4 carrier braid, I thought about dropping to 40# to get a little more distance but would be a little scary for me considering the majority of the “frog water” we have here. For everything else on top it’s still 30# but now Seaguar’s Smackdown Mike

Braid only for punching a t rig All other t rigs are straight flouro. No leaders Mike

👍 Mike

If I washed any fishing related stuff with her things I’d be on the outside looking in within 30 seconds! I wash my gloves in Dawn dish soap which gives them “that clean fresh scent” 😜 Mike

Sight fishing spawning beds Mike

Very well said Every time this subject comes up I hesitate to give my opinion. No other subject on here elicits more passion and personal opinion This time the first thing that came to mind was the 2nd and especially the 3rd paragraph which he said the best. So I’ll just say this. There is no other presentation that if given a choice I would rather do. Depending on where you live down here we can Sight fish beds in all 3 phases for 6 months of the year. Doesn’t get any better than that. Mike

You knew this was coming… Zoom Magnum UV Speed Worm Mike

Good Job! Best of luck with your surgery Mike

I don’t My bag holds 8 3600 boxes and replenish as I need to Mike

Whatever he wanted Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Great Job! I’d be visiting that boy a lot!! Mike

One of the best fishing rods ever made by anybody Mike

Beam, it’s quicker but only if it’s not obvious Mike

1) No I only measure the length if it’s too close to call 2) No I wait until I can’t eye ball which is heavier (again only after confirming that it is at least the minimum length 3) No, neither 4) TH Marine clip type 5) Not really When I need to cull I always use a beam. I’ve won and lost by ounces, so once I get a legal 5 I take the time to weigh Mike

I really don’t have a specific rod manufacturer that I gravitate too more than others as I do for reels and baits. I currently have rods made by 7 different companies with each having its own purpose with a few crossovers. Within each manufacturers line there are different models at different price points with differing components, so the decision of which to buy comes down to warranty, power and action of what I want/need at the time. Mike

@Pat Brown Congratulations on another PB! Beautiful fish! I keep telling you guys about those Magnum Speed Worms! Mike

We see a bunch of them down here especially on the east coast. The majority have 3 300’s but only a few have 4 When you have to ask how much…… Mike