Mike L

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Robert, after the first few sentences I started feeling sorry for you and was picturing it all in my mind. Ya got me!! Mike

My advise for what its worth, is to tie what you have confidence in. If you lose that pick another, there are a dozen line to line knots to choose from. Tie it right and you're good. Sometimes the old tried and true is better than all this "new and improved" way to do the same thing with the same results. Mike

In the shallow, stained, vegitation filled soup bowl lakes I fish in down here I rarely tie a leader. The only exception would be when Carolina rigging which really doesn't answer your question. When I take the kids tho I will always tie a leader for them and use the uni to uni. "9" is exactly right. Mike

I used to use a spinning combo but now hardly at all for anything. I use a 7ft Fenwick Techna AV casting rod with a Curado 200E as my primary plastics combo, light artificial's like flukes included. Most will say they use a spinning outfit which will cast farther and probably be more fun. But I'm happy. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Helloand Welcome! Mike

I am one of those guys on here who love's to punch. I'd rather punch than do anything else. In tournaments having no say in where we go, I always try to encourage my boater to try a few especially if either of us are struggling. Believe me it has saved our butt's more than once. After reading OK Mike's question I sat for minute trying to think of any reason, condition or senario to not tie a snell and not to use a Trokar hook in unison...I honestly can't think of one reason. I tie a snell when punching because it hold's, is easy to tie and I am convinced it has increased my hook ratio. I use Trokars BECAUSE of the sharpness, the hook keeper and the room it gives me to tie a snell up to and including 80# braid. I don't care about the science behind it, I'm not as smart as some of these guys so when a discussion gets to this point I just read and move on. Use what you have confidence in and what you have proven to YOURSELF what works for you. Mike

That is one version I have never had one lossen...However, I am in the habit of checking my line from the hook to about 6 ft up, and then inspect and test the knot after every catch, hit or snag. Mike

I've been useing the TK 130 for years with a snell knot on 65# braid. I use this setup for punching through matt's exclusively. I use 1 bobber stop up to 1oz weights and 2 up to 2 oz. I do not texpose for the reasons you guys said. Matter of fact before I started useing these, I never texposed any hook when punching. When rigging a plastic useing these hooks do not push the point through. Stop before you break the skin.. The point is sharp enough that it doesn't matter. At least none that Ive seen. Mike

Palomar for braid and SDJ for flouro or poly lines. Don't use mono at all. Mike They're basicaaly the same knot. Only difference is that the SDJ requires passing the tag end through the loop on top, after passing through the loop above the eye of the hook. Mike

Been useing the 4/0 or 5/0 TK 130 with a snell for punching matt's for a few years now and really don't have a problem with tying the knot or hook up's. When I do miss a fish, I really can't attribute it to either one. I just blame myself for not paying closer attention. Maybe I need to pay closer attention to the actual reason. Mike

Ditto Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Ditto Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

I must be the only one here who uses the Skinny Dipper or Big EZ. Gonna try some of the others eventually. Mike

I tried them all, but keep coming back to the Sluggo. Granted they are a little different than all the brands already mentioned, but when I want to t rig a stick bait, I always grab a Sluggo first then a Stick O. Senkos are the best for wacky rigging. Imo Mike

Just signed up for icast, hopefully I can get some there. If I do I will be on the water before I get home! Mike

If you're limited for space or just have a few combo's it a good idea. When I fish tournaments it's always from the back of the boat so space and versatility are key. I do the same thing. Mike

Don't even use buzz baits anymore. When I want something that'll wake the dead and keep me awake it's the Plopper. Mike

Senko or fluke. When I take the kids or someone who just wants to have fun, those 2 are the ones I rig first. Tip...Use a swivel when tying the fluke. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike