Mike L

@Pat Brown I do the same on the last practice day of an upcoming tournament. It’s not that uncommon. I’ve been with boaters who do it during every day before. You’d be surprised how hard it is to shake a fish without a barb. You’d think it wouldn’t be a problem but sometimes it definitely is, which is a learning point in of itself. Mike

It’s gonna happen, eventually to everyone. My biggest problem lately is getting the same power in my hook sets as I get older. Some part is because of back surgeries but not all, fortunately not to a critical degree..Yet Reaction time to the most subtle of hits has gone down some I think but really can’t be sure. I still swing when I feel it, but don’t know how long it took. Mike

I use tungsten weights for everything. For the majority of t rigged plastics I rarely go above 1/4 as the vast majority of the waters I fish is less than 10ft deep averaging closer to 4-5. The 1/4 gives me the right rof for reaction bites and bottom hugging. For moving swim baits it’s almost aways a 3/16. As @Catt said, for punching and also for pitching in heavy anything all rules are off. For those I’ll start at 3/4 min up to 1 1/2 with the occasional 2 depending on what’s on top. Mike

I’ve been using the Trokar TK100 offset for most plastics on the smaller end and the Lazer Pro V for everything else including swim worms. I’ve used most all brands over the years but nothing hooks or holds better. Mike

Glad you were there for her! I hope she recovers with no lasting effects. Mike

Sometimes it can make all the difference regardless of what you’re doin especially if you’re reeling at faster clip Mike

Happy Birthday Pal Enjoy Your Day Mike

I understand And agree that Amor All stuff is the worst especially using it long term Mike

@TOXIC Suggestion Instead of using a caustic product like Simple Green, try Bleche-White Tire Cleaner. It’s designed to do what you want without altering the tires composition. I first tried it on the tires white lettering and now use it to clean all rubber. All it does is clean. Mike

I get it The problem with products like Armor All is that they are topical dressings. What I like about products like 303 is that they absorb into the rubber which keeps them from drying out as fast. The enviro protection is a bonus I keep my GTO garage kept all the time also, heck it doesn’t come out even if it thinks about raining! ? It all depends on what you like and how you use it. Mike

303 is not shiny at all compared to all the tire gels and creams like Armor All, Endurance and others which also do nothing fir protection. Mike

I use the 303 also on the GTO’s tires, rubber, vinyl etc. Most tire gels have silicone which attracts dust, dirt, pollution and everything else that’s in the air. It gives a nice satin look with excellent UV protection that is a must down here. Won’t use anything else. Mike

I rotate between them and a Rage Bug when bed fishing almost exclusively. Fir some reason I’ve found that when using the bug first and they react a little more jumpy than usual, the Zoom Brush Hog or Lizard using a different type presentation will get bit more often. Mike

Just another gimmick Mike

Good for him! I wish him the best of luck going forward Mike

OP Everybody has thier favorite and what they consider the best. To me, even tho they’re outdated and not the most refined technically proficient reels, the Curado E7 and Chronarch 100sf are 2 of the best ever made by Shimano or anybody else. Mike

@volzfan59 If I’m not mistaken Southern Plastics still makes products for BPS and Strike King also, at least they did. They’re house plastics are good quality and my go to for bulk purchases. Haven’t had to dip a tail in years. Mike

Put the spool in a small box with a long screwdriver through the hole with the ends out. Get a cardboard box just wide enough to hold the spool so it’ll rotate freely. OR Sick a pencil through the hole and hold the ends between your toes Mike

@Glenn @Dwight Hottle @MAN Check you PM Mike

@LrgmouthShad I’ve used Sniper and Shooter for almost everything and have for years. I like it better than all the rest. Stay with it, I’m sure you will too Mike

I think it’s important to have a little longer tag when tying the Palomar especially with braid. When using a slicker, more limp 8 carrier braid which seems to be most of the newer ones, it’s more critical to have that safety margin. Not as much with other line types but I still think it’s a good idea. Mike

For all flouro including both of those you mentioned, the SDJ is the only knot I use. Palomar is reserved for braided lines. The thing about the Palomar is that if you’re in a hurry or just don’t pay attention, it’s easy to cross the lines. If that happens it will crease and weaken that spot When tying braid it doesn’t seem to matter as much if you do. Mike

I remember my first trip to Stick Marsh and saw hundreds of pink and white what I thought were Flamingos nesting in a small preserve across from the ramp. Later I found out they were Spoonbill’s which are common I guess. It’s not that unusual I know, but being from the So Side of Chicago it really impressed me. Never saw anything like that I guess you just had to be there. Mike

There’s no fluff or self promotion. Thanks Mike

Other than the Snell for punching, I use the SDJ from 12# to 20# Sniper or Shooter and have for years, and I also have never had it break at the knot. Mike