Bluebasser86

Catfish depends on the species, and your reaction to them biting down. Flatheads are generally okay to lip, but if you jerk your hand back when they bite down they'll remove a lot of hide in the process. Blues, channels, and bullheads can clamp down way harder due to not having an underbite like flatheads. I wasn't trying to lip him, but I was trying to weigh this dinosaur because I think he was probably a state record, he was having none of it. Pretty sure he broke a tooth off in the joint of my right ring finger because I still can't bend it all the way to my palm without pain almost 2 years later.

Nothing real special is needed for a Ned. Yes, it fishes nicer on certain equipment, but a wide range of rods can do it. IMO, something in the 6'-7' 6" range and L-M/L fishes them best. I personally use a 6' 10" ML/XF and love it.

As long as the pond isn't connected to any other bodies of water and can't flood into another body of water you should be okay.

More stain=more nutrients in the lakes here a majority of the time. Very few of my big green fish have come from clear water. Brown ones are a different story and I feel that's mostly due to them being more visual feeders.

Back on January 23rd is when I caught my first and last glide bait fish this year. Had a giant blast it out of the water probably 5' but missed the hooks, of course I stuck this one. I've seen some guys down on the Ozark lakes killing them already though.

No, I use 1 for spinnerbaits and it does just fine. Sometimes I'll use my bladed jig rod to throw them also if I want to have a couple tied on, but that's a pretty rare occasion.

I know I still have this one; Picture is from 12/2013, so it's been around well before they messed them up.

I really like the Tatula LT (I'm a backreeler, so the Stratic is a no-go for me), but you don't even have to go that high up to get a good reel. IMO rod>reel when it comes to spinning gear. As long as a spinning reel is smooth and lays the line on the spool correctly, you're good to go. The rod though, needs to be the right balance of sensitive to feel lighter baits generally fished on spinning gear, load properly to cast light baits, but powerful enough to still set a hook and move a big fish without breaking a lighter line. Get something in a 2000-2500 size and a ML/F or XF for the baits you're wanting to fish and you'll be golden.

I do about 50 yards spooling Tatsu so I can get 4 reels off one spool, but that's for pitching baits when I don't need much line. I'm in the same camp that I'd want more in the 75-100 yards. Even though bass aren't going to pull drag, and you're not going to cast off that much line, when you get to the point that the knot is coming into play during the cast, it starts to interfere with casting distance and accuracy.

They look similar, but the current Luck-E-Strike bait is pretty terrible. They were a much better quality bait a few years ago. I still have 1 or 2 of the good ones. The new ones have bad hooks, bad paint jobs, bad split rings, just a poor product really.

It happens. Sounds like the weather was nice though.

I've use all my bass rods for walleye, and also have a walleye rod I use for bass. The all occasionally catch other species too. I use a ML for walleye a lot, but also a M and even MH at times. Doesn't matter what the rod says, the rod ratings are all that matters. Rod makers make different rods like that to sell more rods.

Not even tungsten either ?‍♂️

I use the Duracells from Sam's Club in my Stratos and my johnboat. They've been solid for me.

It's a Havoc 4" Devil's Spear in Merthiolate color.

I'm way more excited about the Smash Shads than the squarebills. They've caught me some really nice fish the last few winters and the Rainbow Smelt color is just right to imitate a small shad.

Yeah I sent someone there to get a Slammer recently and felt like a jerk when I actually looked, very limited supply in stock right now.

I must be missing it, looks a lot like the old Strike King Denny Brauer Premier Pro Model jig, just with a Zo-wire hook and over twice the price?

IMO, a medium is too much for a Ned unless you're using the not really Ned rig heads that have the heavy hooks or offset hooks that you need a stronger hookset for. A ML is a better option for a Ned rig, but a medium is a better option if you're wanting an all around rod. The 2000 size reel is perfect.

Welcome!

Physical size, they're pretty similar. Spool capacity, depends on the model of 3000. Weight, the Tatula is quite a bit lighter.

I like the Skinny Cutter. I have one in Chameleon Vapor with barely any paint left on it. Kind of got away from fishing it because??? I guess it wasn't the shiny new toy in the box. One of my biggest issues with them, why no Pearl Vapor in the shallow Skinny Cutter?? That's my hands down, favorite jerkbait color, but they don't offer it in that model that I use the most. I can get it in the bigger model or the +1, but not the shallower runner. They come with great hardware, sharp hooks, and decent priced, but if I can't get my favorite color I have to look elsewhere.

Reds and oranges are solid choices early in the year. This one is one that I do and it's always a good choice early in the year. Only thing they'd eat in the pond I fished earlier this week.

Depends on which model and size. They have line thru models you can rig top or bottom hook, some with a jighook, and some that come with a keel weight style hook.

Savage Gear Pulse Tail baits are cheaper, more durable, and more readily available. The work good too. I like the glides and wakes better personally, but those pulse tail baits are solid. The new Fishlab Biogill wake bait is an awesome little bait where they're eating gills (over grass, around docks and laydowns). It's affordable and not overly large for someone wanting to get into throwing them. I prefer the 5" model. Their glides are good too for a subsurface bait.