Mike L

You’re not alone. I’ve been known to alter most at one time or another. Mike

To most on here I am, but to others and myself not so much… I hate so called finesse fishing using a spinning rod to wiggle an 3” piece of plastic waiting for an 1 lb fish to swim by. No leaders or monofilament line, Ever I use straight fluorocarbon line for every technique other than 3 and never lost a fish solely because of it. Mike

Thanks @Koz We already had a few rain bands come through and are expecting more as the night goes on into tomorrow night. I made a milk run today helping the kids and some friends put things away around their houses just in case and getting fuel for everyone’s generators We’re expecting 5”-7” of rain with gusts of 65 if it stays on course. I feel for the folks in the panhandle as they are gonna get hit the hardest. Mike

Hello and Welcome!! Mike

I Always back off my drag after each outing. If I don’t intend to use that combo again for a while I’ll also cut the lure off before storing it away. It’s just my reminder to re rig the next time. Mike

Agree Right or wrong Especially with subjects like these, I seem to always answer from an co anglers perspective. Intended or not Mike

Yes, when it comes down to it everyone does thier own thing, sometimes influenced by others sometimes not. It still interesting to me how so many anglers who enjoy doing the same thing will go about it in totally different ways to get the same results. Mike

No, I do not as I wouldn’t use a ewg for any bottom contact. I use the same Trokar hooks (TK130) but do not have the same problem even up to a 2oz Mike

Yeah, I’ve had that kinda stuff happen to me too more than once wth color, rof, plastic size and style, presentation, casting angle etc. It can be said about almost anything if one guy is being successful and his partner is not then he mimics what he’s doing and everything changes. I get it. I’m not saying that You and Berkeley are wrong, far from it. Experience and Success are the best teachers I just wanted to mention a different angle to it. Mike

My opinion is just that, My unscientific and unproven opinion is that I don’t believe the smell of anything is specifically an “attractant” to make a bass approach and then hit a plastic solely because of its smell, regardless of what the marketing says. I firmly believe it’s the taste that makes them hold onto it longer once they grab it to give the angler an advantage in everything that implies. A certain smell of anything you add is not a short cut. You still have to make an accurate cast, present it to get its attention, make them bite, feel the hit, set the hook and land her….In that order. Mike

Bone with a little sparkle Mike

At one of the Elite Series tournaments I was a Marshall at about 7 yrs ago, my pro would dip his plastic in a jar. After awhile I noticed he only did it for his punch rig. He was one of those who didn’t like to talk at all so I didn’t get a chance to ask why, but after awhile it became obvious. See @Catt reply Personally I mix 3 parts baby oil to 1 part 100% Anise and have for years. Mike

Thats me! I tie 3 different knots total for everything I throw. It’s like everything else in bass fishing for me…plastics, lures, lines, rods etc. I stay with what I know. Mike

Agree But the cam effect for single hook presentations can be an advantage if tied right. Mike

Yeah go. Ahead Certainly nothing that the Colts did to win Mike

Always, for every bottom contact presentation! No need for any others. Before I started using more hooks with a keeper, I’ve never had a problem or even the concern you have. Mike

Starting in about a month to late Spring. Every DD bass I’ve caught was in that window Mike

I Agree, Take any and all precautions you can think of to protect yourself. If you’re up to it I would go in small increments even for just 1/2 hour. Best of everything to you Mike

Those BPS Pro Qualifier reels are like tanks. The ones I have are 14 yrs old now and still use at least one every outing. Mike

It’s all relative to each Personally I wouldn’t use either but to answer your question if given just those 2 choices I’d use Tatsu Mike

Excellent Tip! Mike

You knew this was comin…. 😊 Its a bounce back game for sure but it’ll bounce the other way. Keep the Faith Brother Mike

I guess I’m the oddball again. I don’t see a bass stopping, make a well thought out, conscience decision not to hit something because he’s seen it too many times before! Isn’t that what they swim around all day looking for??? But hey, I’m the same guy who says that Ma Bass won’t just turn away because of a piece of line in its face too. Mike

There ya go Try to hold the line in a joint between your knuckles as soon as it hits the water. That is the most sensitive part of your hand. Mike

Not all time but yes, line watching is key for certain soft plastics, a stick bait of any kind is certainly one. But only using one indicator to detect a strike can hinder you at the same time. I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t just get caught up in only one way. Mike