Mike L

Here in Fla I think braid and floro have thier place. Frog's in pads, and punching is all braid... Bottom contact plastics, Jig's, spinner, chatter, sq bill is all floro... Spinning for fineses [wacky, shakey etc] braid with floro leader. Mike

I think for an extra 20.00 get the PQ and don't look back. Mike

Yep... Mike

Phenix M1 MH/F with JM Sig for spinners and chatter baits Fenwick Techna AV with Curado 200E7 for plastics. Can't decide which I like better. Mike

I'm looking for a new wacky, shaky spinning rod and found a new maroon colored med/ fast Cumara. Man, I like that rod but for 259.99 for a spinning rod....I passed. I'll keep looking. Mike

Yep... Mike

I have the most confidence in... Chatter bait's Wacky rig Sq bill Mike

4/0 skip back hook's. I usually put a nail inside the slit just below the top where the hook rests. I like the way it makes it fall hoziontally especially in grass and pad holes. Mike

IMHO The SDJ knot is hands down the best floro knot there is. Mike

Curado 200 E7 and JM Sig MIke

Just don't know about you Kid's!! Mike

I know how you feel brother... I had L4 and L5 fushion with a Laminectomy on Dec 19th and 3 months later I feel great! No more walking around like a ? I also have 2 pins and 4 screws with the minerals of a crushed cadaver bone in there. Getting off the pain meds was one of the hardest things I ever did. The only advise I can give you is NO BENDING, NO TWISTING OR LIFT ANYTHING...and try to walk as much as you can when you're able. All the best Mike

I pray that your Dad has a complete and total recovery.. That all upcoming tests will have negative results and that he will only know good health, peace of mind and happiness every day of his life...Amen Mike

I use mag brake only reels for flippin and pitchin. I can't stand useing them for casting. Anyway IF and when I use a reel that has a dbs or cent brakes only, I leave the brakes alone which on most are set on 2. I just loosen the cast control knob all the way, [for all 3 types] allmost until it comes off. Thumb never leaves the spool and pressure is applied or released as needed. Mike

Watermelon lizard and sometimes a Fluke Mike

I like mono for jerkbaits and braid or mono for on top. I've used both for both. Mike

I'm finding that I like floro better for bottom contact plastics baits. I've started useing 20# Invisix for heavy cover and 15 # for more open areas. If i'm punching I'll use my Jig set up which has 50# braid I fish both with 7 :1 reels on 7 ft MH/F rods. Mike

When it comes to craws I only use the Reaction Innovation. Especially for punching with a 3/4 to 1 oz pegged tungston weight. I also only use the 5/0 Owner straight shank fipping hook with a screw keeper. When I rig it the hook is laying flat in the groove on the back and then tex pose it. I don't seem to have the same problem you have. With that hook I've found that if I bring the hook point out all the way to the end of the body and bring it out from there, it stays put and the beaver stays perfectly straight. The 5/0 is pretty big. A 4/0 would work also but I like the the bigger hook for throwing it in heavy to med cover which is the only place I use it. Mike

I've never used a Vendetta but have heard many good reviews. Never used that brand of line either. However, the length and power of the rod, the lb test, and useing floro are all good decisions for what you want to do. Mike

What I do... *7 ft med/fast spinning rod. *20# braid with 12# floro leader *6 " senko or other stick bait *O ring sometimes in the middle, sometimes off center *2/0 Octopus hook with weed gard if needed, or not. *Cast out with as little splash as possible *Let sink to bottom,let it sit for a while *Lift and repeat *Lift and repeat *Lift and repeat Reel in, cast and repeat Mike

I use 7:1 reels on my jig, flippin, frog and spinner / chatter baits rods Mike

Matt "Deadsticking" means you throw it out, let it sink and do nothing...Just let it sit there on the bottom.' It can be a very effective way to fish. Mike

Well I wish you luck with them. The let it fall and pull method worked great for me today as a matter of fact. I started off useing a white and chart spinner bait that got hit once in about 20 min by a 2 lber. I put on the chatter, same color with a white trailer, let it fall in 6 ft of water and Bam! It never touch bottom on the first cast. Picked up 2 more in about 10 min also, but both those times I changed it up a little by reeling steady then a quick sideways pull then let it drop. The 2nd hit almost took the rod out of my hand! Mike

Well you're set for bottom contact, and agree a spinning set up would be a good compliment for finesse type baits. What I would do after that is a M or MH with a slower action that you can use for spinners, chatter's, on top, swim baits, soft jerk's... Not saying that what you have won't catch fish, but theres many more techniques that are better suited for a rod with slower action if you are so inclined. Mike

TN...I love those things. I tried the Original Manns but have had much more sucess useing the Booyah. I like the hook being on a flexable arm which I'm convinced has helped with hook up's. Also the trailers that come with them are the right size and shape, so no experimenting with other trailers. As far as presentation I ALWAYS reel with either a jerking or stop and go motion. Never just chuck and wind. Mike