Mike L

Good for you! I hope you find her a good home Mike

For years I’ve not been interested in using any type of leader material for Bass fishing. Living on the SW Florida coast I do however use leaders when fishing in all the salt water bay’s, canals and of course in the Gulf for obvious reasons. I would tie one on for the kids in fresh waters on occasion but that was more for my convenience. Being as 90% of my fishing is now as a tournament co angler I decided to try again. I read good reviews about Seaguars Ponce and decided to try it. Being as I only use braided line for 3 presentations, the smallest diameter I have currently rigged is 30# on my top water and weightless plastic combo. I got some 12# and went out yesterday as a 4 day practice window opened for a tournament next weekend. I was really surprised. I used a uni to uni to join and a San Diego Jam for the hook. I tied a snell for awhile also to cover all my bases. All 3 knots cinched down smooth and held with no slippage I decided not to retie and keep the same 3 ft section in as long as I could. I hate finesse fishing so I just did my normal thing with the same weights (1/8 to 1/4) and didn’t give it a 2nd thought. I punched through a small pad of Hyacinth, dropped into a few brush piles and even went up and over a few lay downs for 5 hours getting hung up twice but got loose without breaking off. The Pounce held really well with no noticeable a fraying or abrasion anywhere that I saw. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with it. Mike

Nope It’s been illegal to import anything from Cuba since the 60’s. I understand that now you can’t import anything that’s made in Cuba even from another country either. You can find a quality hand made cigar at most locations especially the small independent makers for a “reasonable” price, but they’re still gonna be more than all machine made mass produced ones Mike

Price is relative. All so called “Premium” cigars aren’t considered cheap. I smoked H Upmann for years but they became a scarce for awhile. Since then my taste changed and didn’t want a Honduran or Nicaraguan filler anymore plus thier ring size seemed too big. As I got older I wanted something a little milder. Now I smoke a Macanudo Hampton Court. It’s the most mild cigar I ever smoked with a Connecticut wrapper and filler from the Dominican Republic. It has a 42 ring and being 5” long it’s just right Mike

Keep the faith Pal…and keep us informed Mike

You’re gonna get an array of suggestions from just about every manufacturer’s product line. My advice is to remember above all when it comes to flouro line, you absolutely will get what you pay for. Check out Seaguar or Sunline product lines Mike

For those conditions sometimes I’ll use 20# Shooter For me Tatsu is a little over qualified for strictly flipping/pitching. Mike

As I’ve said many times, braid to me is a specialty line. Top, frog and only for the heaviest of cover punching. Mike

That’ll be a pain to tie a Palomar on Mike

Live Long and Prosper Mike

And here I thought I was the only one Mike

I don’t do that! But if they say so… Mike

I’ve never bought a used rod or reel except for one time when a friend had a Curado 200E7 that he wasn’t using. I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. Mike

How do you guys find all these places ? I’ve never heard of half of them. Also, when you buy reel for 5.00 from some off the wall, obscure website on the internet do you really think it’s that great of deal and money well spent? I don’t get it Mike

Dobyns Kaden 715 C 7’ 1” Mag Heavy / Fast (doubles as my Carolina Rig rod) Mike

That’s why I use it. The strength of the line is totally dependent on where and to some degree how. But you have to take into account the whole set up and how you use it. Mike

Just a guess, but you’re ripping holes because of the combination of a non forgiving XF rod, heavy braid and locked down drag. I’d say you’re ripping her on the set because of the power and setup of your combo. I use 50# original Power Pro only because it is a 4 strand and can cut through pad stems better when it’s needed than a more manageable 8, that’s the only reason. I’ve had great luck with 40# also. As Dwight said, the strength of the line isn’t your problem I too use a heavy action rod but with a slower action. I tried a XF but now delegate those to bottom contact presentations only. Mike

Zoom Lizards are the only plastic I use on a C Rig because they seem to always produce for me. I never really think of using them on regular T Rig as I always think there are better choices. I’m sure I’m wrong as I just never think about them as much for that. Mike

Yes, just worked their way up and back Mike

Live Long and Prosper Mike

Folks Agree or not, cease with the contentious comments Mike

Using the momentum of the fish coming to you, lift the rod (putting your off hand in the right place!) When there is about a rods length of line still out, just lift and swing over the gunnel. Grab the line near the hook. Mike

“Thats the way I’ve always done it” ”I seen it on TV” ”How I was taught” ”My neighbor always did it that way” ”Some old guy I met did it that way” And my all time favorite… “Thats how my You Tube hero’s do it” Mike

The worst thing an angler can do to a fish is to remove its slime coat either by holding against your body to unhook, laying on the carpet, seat or grass. I’ll either boat flip up to a certain size of course, lip or net her. Scooping her out isn’t always ideal either by jamming and sliding up the side of the boat as some do. If done with a little thought and care I still think it’s the best way especially using a single hook set up, treble hooks is tougher but doable. It’s a timing thing. If you flip her in when she’s coming at you with the momentum she build up or even on a close jump is the easiest. Just grab the line near its mouth and unhook. Mike

Putting a fish on the carpet or even laying her down on a hot vinyl seat or pedestal drives me nuts because it’s just not necessary. Watch a few of @A-Jay videos. Thats how it’s done. Even as a co angler I have a piece that fits nicely in my bag and use it every time if I have to. Mike