Mike L

Different hooks for different plastics take time, trail and error to gain the confidence in them as is done for the plastics itself. Once you find the right match and your confidence builds you don’t even consider others. That really is nothing new. I use the twist locks with cps only fir Skinny Dippers and the Big EZ. Years ago I switched all sick baits to the Skip Gap as nothing holds them straighter. All others get the Trokar line Mike

I also use Sniper to pitch certain things as I use flouro for most everything. But when punching in certain conditions I use 20# Shooter where braid isn’t needed as much (60# & 80#). It’s more abrasion resistant than Sniper, but let your conditions dictate that. Mike

Ditto Mike

Magnum UV Speed Worm Over, through and under any and all cover. Sight Fishing beds is 1b Mike

Been doin that for years. Interesting tho Mike

I won’t hijack her thread of a great accomplishment other than to say… I’ll die on the other hill Mike

Ditto The only other bait other than watching a walking bait as what @Bankbeater describes is a frog hit. Seeing a frog hit is the most important and helpful than any over top water strike. The biggest advantage is when she hits it which isn’t always an explosion. When she sucks to take it down, the ability to see that is your signal when to set. Also, another advantage of seeing it is when they boil on it or come up from underneath and throw it out of the water trying to kill it. All signs that you need to know to adjust the style, size or the cadence you’re using. If you have too much slack after a long cast you may not hear any of that. Mike

Special Day So glad she’s getting back at it!! Mike

The first reel my Dad got me, a Johnson Century 100b It’s pretty to me Mike

*Trash *Being back boated in tournaments *Parents who don’t put a PDF on little kids. *Homeowners who think they own the water under and around thier dock *Indiscriminate weed control Mike

Okeechobee is notorious for ever changing. Floating mat’s, water releases, water quality, weed control, wind direction etc etc. When you have a body of water that can generate its own weather depending on the time of year it’s takes years to learn. Sometimes you can see it change from morning to evening then back the next morning and you’d think you were on a different lake. Mike

I keep putting off rubber banding my treble hard baits also for some reason. Oh Hell, I’ll just go it now 😜 Mike

All bottom contact presentations regardless of what’s tied on I use either an XF or F rod depending on cover. For all moving baits of every kind (including swim jigs) I use a “regular” action rod. It’s not as soft as glass, composite or what the common understanding of what a moderate action stick would be. The only exception is for a frog Mike

I don’t and won’t… Drop, Ned, Shake or Wack!! Always better options Mike

Rage Tail baits are patented and designed by Steve Parks (Big O) manufactured by Strike King. He coined the name “Rage Rig” at the very beginning when rigged with a keel weighted hook. The uniqueness of them is the patented “Rage Flange” which gives them thier unique tail action When I said generic it was to encompass all keel weighted hooks. It really doesn’t matter Mike

A Rage Rig is the generic name for any hook with the weight molded to the shank. There are different thicknesses and shapes of the weight available depending on who makes it. So to me there’s 2 reasons that this has a different name… The line tie is on the tip of shank as opposed to the end which gives it a different angle. Or… The guy who designed it lives in the Ozark Mountains somewhere and decided to name it after where he lives and hopes nobody notices or cares. Mike

Seems like you’re well on your way. Experiment a little with some things you don’t normally use. Expanding your options and choices is one of the best ways to “expand your fishing skills” Mike

All good options To find the right one totally depends on the type and thickness of what you’re try to get through. It can be something as obvious as a frog worked through and stopping on top of certain pads. A jig, stick worm or a creature bait worked vertically in open holes or a swim bait of some sort..swim jig, SB, swim worm depending on how tight the cover is worked over, under and though it all. Point is, your options are endless for all 3 levels. Read the water and weather conditions to make your first choice and cycle through the baits you have the most confidence in and go from there. Don’t be afraid of the heaviest and nastiest of spots. Invest in a heavy outfit with a 3/4 to 1oz tungsten weight and punch right through. In the summer big mama could be laying around waiting for you. Fishing weeds is the best and frankly the most obvious way to stick a bass no matter where you live. You’ll become a fan soon enough Mike

Pretty much everything that can be quantified except for the cost of premium lines. See @Team9nine response above Pretty much covers it The 2 lines I use exclusively (Sniper and Shooter) has much less stretch than most others Mike

I don’t use mono for anything Don’t like it, don’t want it, wont use it. It doesn’t have a single advantage that I can point to for the waters I fish the most and my style of fishing than what a quality flouro or braid will give. I use flouro for every presentation except 2 and have for over 15 years and have no reason to think about a change. But don’t listen to me as I’m in the absolute minority on this site as you’ll soon see. Mike

Can’t add anything other than PDF Mike

Brain I’ve used that stuff for years on a lot of different things and I can’t remember if I ever experienced what you describe. I’m sure it could happen and I certainly don’t want to stare the man wrong. I can only go by my experience with it. It removes every sticking substance I used it on. I guess the best thing to do as in most things, try someplace that you can’t see and make sure it works. Mike

Brake Cleaner Mike

Fenwick MH/F Techna AV Shimano Curado 200 E7 16# Sniper 7” Culprit Red Shad Fat Max Ribbon tail 3/16 oz unpegged Stick Marsh March 6, 2018 8:24 am 72 deg Light NW winds Partly cloudy skies Mike

I use Sunline Sniper and Shooter exclusively. InvisX is a high quality line with the right amount of manageability, knot strength and abrasion resistance. However, I used it one time and took it off as it was just to stretchy for me in all line diameters. It’s the closest flouro to monofilament than anything else I tried which I will not use. I use Sunline Sniper from 12# to 16# and Shooter 20# and 25# Sniper has all of the same qualities as InvisX just a little more so especially in thier thinner lines. Shooter is in a class of its own on the higher end. Mike