Bluebasser86

So you're trying to turn or tighten the drag star and it won't move now? How were you trying to test the drag?

The original and the Shocks are some of the best value rods on the market IMO. I own a few of both and use them all regularly for a wide variety of techniques.

If I want added bulk for a bigger profile or to allow for a slower retrieve I will add a trailer. I'll also add one for contrast at times. In the fall when the gizzard shad are big, I use a 4.8" Fat Impact for a trailer a lot. I like to use a white spinnerbait with a solid chartreuse trailer in really dirty and really clear water also, especially for smallmouth. Generally use a YUM Boogie split tail trailer for that. Trailer hook is always added when I'm using a trailer and anytime I'm around spots or smallmouth. Dirty water+smallmouth=white spinnerbait with a chartreuse trailer (for contrast) and trailer hook.

Making sure they're dry before storing helps, but there's no way to completely prevent it. A tiny zip tie works to hold the skirt together and last forever.

Maybe try a buzz toad, similar action that isn't effected by the grass and you can stop it on those fish that just swipe at it to give them a chance to come back.

Do they come back for it after they do that? Generally they'll come back if the bait isn't jerked away from them on the initial strike. They're trying to stun what they perceive as a large baitfish to make it easier to come back and catch while it lies crippled on the surface. Something more rear weighted like a big Showerblows might get a few more of them.

If you shake it more than 3 times you're playing with it.

Kimbrell did everything he could to let them come back at the end there. I thought Sanchez was sending them to game 5 when he hit that sac fly on a pitch that was clearly supposed to be a up but ended up right over the heart of the plate, he got real lucky on that one. I thought Torres might be safe on the last out too, that was a heck of stretch to stay on the bag to get the out. Doesn't get much more exciting to watch than that finish.

Spinnerbait with a 4.8" Fat Impact for a trailer, bump it through the stumps.

Whopper Plopper is a straight retrieve bait that does very little to activate any internal rattles. Rattles are extra weight for the bait to carry over waves. I honestly don't think it matters though and couldn't tell you if I own any rattling or if they're all silent.

A black and blue bladed jig or a white spinnerbait with 1 orange and 1 hammered copper Colorado blades are 2 of my favorite baits for high, dirty water. I always have a jig tied on to flip into the newly flooded cover too.

This would be my guess as well. They're cruising the bottom on sunny days and concentrating in those deeper holes where you're presenting your bait, hence the fast action. Cloudy days allow them to get out and roam around more. You might try drifting a weightless craws around faster moving riffles on cloudy days and see if your luck doesn't change.

Welcome!

I missed the ending but good to see the Sox managed to sneak by the Yankees last night ? Hopefully they saved something for game 4.

15lb CXX is my go to. I can cast further than I really need to with the line/reel/rod combo I'm using with a 3/8oz bladed jig.

At least it was lost, I've had all my gear stolen once and my boat stolen once, awful feeling.

According to the BPS website, you can get a brand new 2018 Tracker Pro Team 175 TX with a Merc 4 stroke 25 that will push you an estimated 23-25 mph for 15k. That gets you a warranty, all new electronics, new batteries, new motors, new everything, plus a 10 year newer boat. More money sure, but I can tell you from experience that if anything is wrong with that other one, you'll cover the difference in shop fees in no time.

If you're just talking pure casting distance, it's not even close, walking and pencil poppers win in a landslide.

I caught 3 of them that day, 2 made the trip home after I started catching walleye, figured they could join the party since I was already getting my hands dirty. A 16" and 18" walleye for scale. All 4 fish pictured ate that same Duo jerkbait.

The Booyah Flex II is super durable and a really nice running bait. You can bang it into all kinds of stuff without breaking them and they have pretty unique colors instead of the same old thing everyone else seems to offer. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-BOOYAHBAITS.html?from=basres

YUM Christie Craw and Craw Papi-Black and blue, cajun craw, summer craw, green pumpkin/purple Rage Craw and Menace-Sapphire blue, hard candy, road kill Zman BatwingZ-green pumpkin, sapphire blue, black and blue Havoc The Duece-watermelon candy, green pumpkin

OP hasn't been on the site in over 2 years, I doubt he's still searching for an answer to this 3+ year old post.

While I've caught lots of fish on cranks, and can if the need arises, I don't enjoy fishing them.

Welcome and thank you for your service!

Welcome!