Mike L

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Another thing about the Cut R..T rig or weightless, rig with the tail up...Rage Rig tail down. Mike

I use the Trokar TK 130 flippin hooks and have never had that problem. Mike

The worst thing that can happen to a co angler is when the boater is clipping along a grass / weed line. When that happens to me I toss a heavy bait like Blue mentioned to get it down quick and hope for a reaction strike.. If he's fishing a grass line on the right side throw everything you got on the left, moving baits included..I don't throw out back behind the motor. BUT if he goes through a weed, slime, grass area and makes a trail, I'll toss behind the motor first and keep throwing there until we're out of my casting range. If the boater is any good it will make it tougher, but he can't hit it all. I've won tournaments and out fished him doing that. Not often but it can happen. Just remember it's his boat, complaining about where and how he moves it will only make for a long day...longer for you. Mike

Ditto The Cut R has become my go to when all else fails plastic. For a different look Rage Rig it. Mike

Come back again and often Deb. We need more women, professional or amateur here. Especially a successful one as yourself. Mike

I like the same but with a double tail. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Since you won't be able to see and pin point any humps, flats, ridges or channel swings etc. You'll just have to follow the contours of the shore and hunt and peck looking for any lay downs, grass lines, over hanging trees etc. Anything that will give a bass cover or shade. Also if you see any surface action or birds diving within a cast distance hit those quick and hard. Mike

Interesting... At this point in my life I made a decision to fish competitively which I always wanted to do but life always seemed to get in the way. Now that I retired, I have the mindset that "if not now, when"? When I did it became apparent right away that I really enjoyed it and wanted more. The worries, frustrations, health concerns..The things we all have didn't really go away, but the constant state of stress, worry and dred were reduced to a managble level. So from those local tournaments it became clear that they weren't enough. So I bought a motorhome and travel, fishing the B.A.S.S. Nations, BFL, TBF, and hopefully next year the A.B.A. ,Costa and maybe an Open or two. My point...when the kids grow up and move away, working career ends, the bills are reduced to the bare minimum, disposable income increases, have an understanding wife...The stress that held me back is now replaced with the stress of making good health decisions and finding time for the grandkids. It wasn't always this way. But it changed for me when Life just became easier to live. Your time is coming Mike

Whew!! I'm impressed! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

I use a Phenix X11 composite for all cranking and jerking. Excellent cranking rod. Mike

Look at the Phenix X11 (7') X13 (7'6") or X14 (7' 11") composite rods. Don't let the 3oz max lure rating concern you. They are light enough to throw all day. I use my X11 also as a jerk bait setup and really like it. Mike

When I used to use leaders, I never reeled up that far. Depending on the length of your leader, just cast with knot up too, not in the tip guide. Mike

I've had 3 rods shipped to me separately in the last 3 yrs. One was a Phenix X11 and then a M1. The other was a Loomis MBR GLX 843C. (Still not sure if I like it, but that's for another thread) All three were shipped in a heavy cardboard tube with pvc caps on both ends sealed with duct tape. The 2 from Phenix were individually wraped with bubble wrap from the tip to butt. The GLX was also but not as completely. All 3 containers were stuffed with bubble wrap also...All 3 came direct from the factory, I guess I got lucky Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

IMHO, that setup is taylor made for the Petey Rig. If you don't know what that is, its basically a finesse c rig that is ideal for a spinning set up. Rig it by securing a weight above the hook useing a bobber stop (2 if useing a 1/2 oz or more) and dragging along a hard bottom as a c rig or moving through the grass with a lift and drop retrieve. The weight will sink into the grass leaving the plastic to fall slowly into it. Try it you may be surprised. Mike

Years ago when I used a spinning rod, I had 20# on a 2500 and 30# on 3000. Don't remember ever having a problem with either. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Not knowing if you're fishing grass, pad's etc or mostly open water with a hard bottom so...Spinning..10 lb Yo Zuri / Baitcasting..30 lb Braid. Mike

By definition...Texas Rig-Un Pegged / Florida Rig-Pegged I only fish a Florida rig if I'm punching a matt or swimmimg a plastic threw heavy vegetation. All other times it's Texas rigged for the very reason quoted by Mr. Nixon. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Ditto Mike