Mike L

Baitcaster 100% of time I only keep a spinning outfit around for the kids Mike

Don’t sleep on the original one. All the new models they have now are great and each has a purpose considering where and how you throw them. But what put them on the map in most cases is still the best choice. The Trophy Series with hook rests, flat silicone tails and more color choices, along with the new Launch Series with its double weight chamber and redesigned open rear water chamber were designed to compete with the more popular frogs in today’s market. However, to me the tried and true original stands alone. Mike

Been saying that on here for years. Glad they’re finally getting some run Mike

My kids made me a dinner of Linguine and Clam sauce with Ricotta Bread on the side! Mike

What scares me more than anything else is a trebled top water jump after a 35-40yd cast which is approx my limit. Not knowing if she has 1 or more trebles in her mouth or just a single hook of 1 treble makes me crazy. I don’t play with a fish after hooking, I horse em or ski em back. Not knowing how it’s hooked scares me more than anything else when she jumps and I can’t keep her down long enough to get a closer look. Mike

Ditto Mike

No trolling motor would be able to move in that stuff In that case what I do in almost every instance is to work the hard outside edge changing speed and depth working my way out. Change direction and pitch angles as I work my back in. For my 2nd set of passes I use a reaction style bait from about 5ft out this time back to the hard edge, then change to a plastic and work the bottom back out to that same distance making sure I saturate any thinning or indented spots. Turn around and doing both again as I cover water 50-75 yards at a time. Again, that’s just my standard way of doing it every time. Worth a shot if you’re struggling to get a hit. If they’re aggressive or passive and set up anywhere around there they’ll let you know soon enough. If after 2 sets of going in and out I move on. Good Luck Mike

@ol'crickety Couple Things… Your “One Second Hookup” is in all likelihood a “One Second Grab and Go” She isn’t hooked at all. She either has it in her mouth for a split second and either the hook rolled, your weight blew her mouth opened or she just took the end and never reached the hook. She didn’t like what she felt and dropped it. As far as your hook set. I never fished from a canoe but it has to be close to sitting on a seat in the back of a boat which doesn’t give enough hook setting power to drive a heavy hook in. When pulling bass in from what you describe everything has to work together.. Gotta get the hook in with all the leverage you got, get her head up and out immediately and ski her in if you have to. Tough to do a foot off the water I assume your equipment is up to par ( a (light spinning rod is not it) Also, no need to make a long over the shoulder bomb cast when fishing in the heavy stuff. However the reeds in your picture aren’t that thick at all but still you’d be better off making no more than 5-10yd pitches which will help with your leverage. Mike

I do also and agree. The Huk shirt has the built in mask and cut out for the thumbs but don’t need it when wearing gloves. It’s all in the material you buy. The hood is nice when going way back and get attacked by bugs. Completely covers your neck obviously without having to adjust it and the added protection over a hat is always a good thing. Mike

I did also at our get together on Wilson Lake about 10 yrs ago now I guess. It’s always nice to put a face to name. Mike

I’d say at least 90%-95% overall. Mike

Of the many things I’ve tried on the water this is one I’ve never did. (Could be it’s own thread) Water temp, bait, depth, bottom structure, all will change how a bass is setup and all could be different from one cast to another especially if you’re moving around. There’s an old saying…. “Change for the sake of change is an illusion of progress” But that’s just me Glad it works for you. Mike

I don’t use them much but when I do I put a 3/32 nail weight in its back I like a horizontal fall much better. Mike

Never thought a roll cast looked silly or impressive. But like you said other than a pitch or especially a flip, it’s the best and only way to maintain a soft/silent entry. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Everything we had on the west coast you’re getting now. Be Safe Mike

You’ve said that before… You convinced me

Rage Bug Rage Craw Sweet Beaver In that order depending on where and conditions. For sight fishing on beds the bug almost 100% of the time. Mike

Can’t help with swim baits, large or otherwise as I’ve never felt the need to catch a DD bass. Haven’t even thought about them. All of mine were caught on plastic in and around beds and under heavy cover during that time depending on conditions Mike

The Assassin’s coating makes it more slick than Sniper which they say aids in its abrasion resistance with less overall sensitivity. I think they recommend it more for moving baits in cover. Sniper is much more sensitive and workable which makes it my line of choice for most everything. If you want a premium line with the best abrasion resistance I’d move up to thier Shooter line. I use 20# for certain punching and heavy cover situations. I assume there is a price difference but that’s your choice. There is nothing better. You get what you pay for especially in flouro line. Mike

They’ll let you know soon enough if they’re there. Personally I’d throw the spinner bait with either 1 large Colorado blade and a smaller willow or a tandem Mike

Remember every second of every outing. Remember thier face when they look up at you when they hook up. Trust me, these are the best of times! Mike

Great Report! Most members on here love that finessey kind of stuff and you make a lot of good points with actual results. Mike

I found Sometimes it’s not the battery going bad it’s the alternator The battery starts it, but the alternator keeps it running and chargers the battery as you drive. Just something to keep mind. Mike

Ok, Help me out here This has come up before, so I gotta ask… Why is it so important to know exactly how many feet of line you just spooled ?? Mike

Yep, Good Point. Especially on the original which I use exclusively except of course when using a popping one. Mike