Mike L

Ditto Mike

Let the mat dictate your weight. I usually start off with 3/4 and go to 1 1/2 oz. After a while you'll be able to narrow it down by just looking at it. Start at the ouside of the mat and work your way in paying special attention to any change. ..hydrilla mixed with blown over reeds, areas where submerged emergent vegetation meet topped out floating ones, holes etc. I use 65# power pro with a double bobber stop, h/xf rod with micro guides. Favorite plastics are a Sweet Beaver or a Pit Boss. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

When working any plastic, always hold the reel so you can place your index finger under the line. You'll be surprised what you can feel. Mike

Another opinion.... For me a 4/0 hook for a 5" Senko is just right. Downsizing to a 3/0 and then a 2/0 may work, but I'm old school. I want to use the biggest hook I can get away with, not the smallest..Especially if I'm having hookset problems. But that's me. Try the smaller hooks as suggested, for your style it may be the right thing to do. Mike

You reel down to take up slack to put your rod in the best position to get a strong set. Don't forget you're lowering your rod, reel down then set. If you feel the bite with a tight line wait a 1/2 second to feel the fish. Just because you feel a bite doesn't mean he bit it. Plastic fishing is not like fishing a 3 trebled jerkbait where more times than not he hooked himself. You're gonna swing and miss more times than you would expect. Personally I think you have a combination of short strikes and poor leverage. Mike

Ditto Mike

The equipment you're useing for what you're doing is fine. This is one of those questions that are hard to answer without actually watching you and seeing exactly what you're doing or not doing. That said, my first thought is it's in your hook up procedure. Start small...Are your hooks sharp? What position is your rod at when trying to set the hook? Are you reeling down after getting bit before setting? Are you sure that you're actually getting bit and not just experiencing short strikes? Etc. Just a few thing to evaluate Mike

I'd use 30 lb braid. You'll be good for every presentation except punching. If you brought a designated punch outfit with you and that one goes down, just take 10 min and transfer it over to the spare. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Check out the Phenix X series of rods, they are made for deep diving cranks. I bought an X11 by mistake and is a great rod which should be considered. It is 7' rated up to 3oz. The X13 is the same spec but 7' 6". Mike

Ditto Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike