Bluebasser86

A #2 is going to fit most bladed jigs perfectly.

I fish sapphire blue a lot. Berkley had a color in the Havoc Pitboss called Lime Purple Passion that I've caught a ton of fish on. I still have about 30 bags I bought when I found out they were cutting that color.

Welcome!

Don't set hard with treble hooked swimbaits, just sweep into them. That heavy bait gives them lots of leverage to toss the bait though, you'll lose fish and there's nothing you can do about it.

Anyone know what this is? I feel like it's either Rebel or Creek Chub but can't find anything like it.

I landed this fish on the 7' Ugly Stick Lite/Okuma Avenger 30 combo I mentioned with 20lb braid. It's suited best for 1-10lb fish but it'll handle bigger fish provided you're not in heavy cover or current.

I fish 20lb braid on a few of my baitcasters with no issues. 10lb is the lightest I go with monos for standard fishing but I've used 8lb before.

I actually caught my PB on an 8" watermelon Zoom mag lizard, but that was in Mexico. I just don't see much difference between them and a creature bait like a baby brush hog and in an attempt to reduce the amount of gear I carry, I went with the creature baits that I prefer to fish over the lizards. I still have some, I know exactly which peg they're hanging on in my garage.

I enjoy chasing catfish, especially big ones since I don't eat them. Spent 2 days that were too windy to be in the boat fishing for blue cats this spring on a trip with my family and we had a blast. Didn't catch any monsters, but a lot 5-10 pounders that gave my 4 and 7 year old boys fits trying to fight them.

Yeah just make sure it's legal before you do it.

I've had baits and fish both sent screaming back at me by hooksets. Sometimes by me, sometimes by the other people in the boat.

I continue with my normal amount of use which is rarely if ever.

It would be pretty hard to confuse a zebra mussel with a snail.

For smaller catfish like you're targeting, I use a 7' M Ugly Stick Lite/Okuma Avenger 30 baitfeeder. It would be a little over your budget unless you found them used, but it'll handle anything in the size range you're looking for. Less than $50 for an entire combo is going to be extremely difficult to do though unless you buy a Zebco combo. For the casting rod, this would be my suggestion. I have the rod, and I've had good luck with their reels, so I'm assuming this one would be good as well. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/pro-cat-solid-tipped-fiberglass-freshwater-casting-rod?sku=7-6-black-medium-heavy-medium-fast https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/h2o-xpress-premier-round-baitcast-reel?sku=right-5-2-1-650

Are you wanting spinning or baitcasting?

Introducing an invasive species is illegal anywhere in the country.

I have a Daiwa Revros 2000 I've used for Ned rigs quite a bit and also bought one for my oldest son who fishes with Neds a lot. They do a nice job and perform above their price point imo.

What size fish and type of fishing?

Shakyheads with straight tail worms get fished in the winter almost every trip while a jig is just an occasional bait and rarely as successful.

I'd be pitching into the holes in it.

Welcome!

The lake closest to my house is loaded with huge snails called the Chinese Mystery Snail. They're invasive and love mucky bottom lakes and aquatic vegetation, which this lake has in spades. They're about the size of a black walnut and can be found everywhere around the lake. They don't seem to do any harm that I can tell though as they lake has been fishing very good for several years since they showed up.

He was catching fish on a bright crankbait and it sounds like you fished everything but that. As important as knowing what the fish should be doing, is knowing when to realize they aren't doing that and listen to what they're telling you and adjust. If you aren't having fun though, don't force it. If you get burnt out on something you may never find your interest again.

I'm always surprised I don't catch more walleye on a Ned rig, but it's a pretty uncommon thing for me to catch them on it.

Have not had good experiences with the newer Pfluegers, loved the older ones. I've got mostly Daiwa spinning reels now but you can get some really nice ones from Okuma also.