NJBasstard

Within the last 6 days I've picked up a new Dobyns Champion XP 702sf, a new Dobyns Fury 705cb, a new SLX MGL and a used Scorpion XT 1000 w/ box in mint condition. All came from different sources but after tax I still came in at under $500 for everything. Gonna take a break from buying for a while but man it's been a good week ?

For me starting with something small like a bitsy bug really helped build my confidence. I spent most of a season throwing one with a paca chunk trailer fishing it every way I could think of before I moved on and started trying different jig/trailer combos. Now years later I consider it a go-to bait and can't imagine not having one tied on. In addition to Glenns video you should also check out the jig thread in the fishing tackle sub forum.

I typically carry 5 on the kayak and 2 or 3 when bank fishing. Finnesse spinning Cranking casting Jig casting Frog casting "All purpose" casting

For something that small I'd just get one of the small plastic welding kits from Harbor Freight. It should come with mesh and welding sticks for like $15. Just lightly sand and clean with alcohol beforehand. Worked on my old Coleman Crawdad for the 4 years I had it and never leaked.

I don't really have a good reason for asking other than being curious, but has anyone here experimented with how line pick up or IPT changes at a set distance? Will two reels with a 150 size spool, same gear ratio, rated for the same IPT & using the same diameter line pick up the same amount of line at 40 yards out? How would those results differ with two reels with the same IPT but one having a 100 sized spool VS one with a 200 sized spool? I don't have a line counter or else I'd check this for myself. I have a number of different sized reels, some sharing the same IPT rating, but feel a difference between them after making a 30-40 yard cast. Maybe it's all in my head but the reel with the smaller spool feels line it's picking up considerably less line. For what it's worth I tried searching on here but didn't see much that could answer my questions. If I missed something during my search and this info is already available please feel free to share. Thanks.

Weather isn't great today but got a chance to hit the bank and catch some on one of the 6th Sense Hybrid Swim Cranks that arrived yesterday.

For me it's black & blue and red craw in dark dirty waters.

I've been seeing it advertised but haven't seen or talked to anyone who's used it yet. The 6th Sense squarebills I already have are good quality and I'm currently waiting on a couple Hybrid Swim Cranks to try too. I wouldn't mind seeing how the Axis is once they're readily available.

Can't comment on any of the newer back options that have come out the past few years. I have had my Wild River Nomad since 2014 though and in my opinion it's very comfortable. After 6 years of hiking, being strapped down in a kayak, night fishing on the beach, being dropped on rock & in water and dragged around more times then I can count it still looks great. The build quality is what you'd expect from the nicer CLC tool belts & bags. The only issue I've had was 2 years ago with the light when I used cheap batteries and left the bag in my truck during the summer. I emailed them, explained what happened and asked if I could buy a replacement. They responded within a day and sent me a replacement free of charge and I haven't had an issue since. I'll give what info I have that I don't always see in item descriptions. With the divider open it holds 5 3600 boxes and 5 3500 boxes in the main compartment. With the divider in place is easily holds 4 3600 boxes in the bottom and 5 3500 boxes on top. I have 3 standard 3600's and a double sided stowaway 3600 in the bottom of mine. It fits 1 3500 box in each of the lower side compartments and still has room for 2 150yrd spools of line in each compartment and other small things.. A small double sided 344 box fits perfect in the front pocket under the light. Do without the 3500's on top and it fits one of the small square spinnerbait boxes along with 20+ bags of soft plastics. Downsides to the bag are price is higher now then it was when I got mine..and nobody seams to make specialty boxes in the 3600 size.

Yeah they're legit. I've been to there store and just today received an order I made online.

The 5132 appears to have a wider gap and is a heavier gauge like you'd find on a flipping hook.

If you posted a photo of each style hook then I can't see it, but I think the difference with the 5167 is that it's a lighter wire hook. Not positive on that though. For me I prefer a 4/0 for my 5" senkos & flukes. The 5/0 should be good on a 10" worm.

The top of my list is also littering. I keep trash bags in the truck and a handful of shopping bags in my tackle bag for that reason. There's trash at every body of water I go to so at the end of the day when I'm done fishing I always clean up what I can. Even the kids make a habit of cleaning up bottles and stuff when they're with me. Most of it's fishing line, soft plastics packaging and beer cans/bottles left by fishermen on the bank. I expect it to only get worse this year since it's one of the outdoor activities we're told is okay right now.

I throw them weightless when I want a slower fall, fishing it like a weightless senko or sometimes when I'm just burning it over thick vegetation. Give it a try.

I don't think there's many options better at that price. I think if your a first time buyer and sign up for the newsletter you can 10% off of that too.

Don't think you can go wrong with either but for your application I'd lean more towards the Curado. With X-Ship & the micro module gears it should theoretically hold up to more abuse than the SLX. If your paying retail and your not set on the DC I'd also be taking a look at the Bantam. They can be had for not much more than the Curado DC.

I don't keep my leader long enough to enter the spool and I don't use micro guides so for anything 10lbs or less I'm usually tying a double uni. Anything larger I tie an FG knot.

If you ever come across the book Knowing Bass by Keith A. Jones for a reasonable price then it's worth the read. Other than that book and the ones already mentioned their are some good videos available online. In addition to the Uncle Homer stuff theres a youtube series that's a good watch for anyone who loves bass fishing. I think he's up to 4 parts now. I believe this is part 1.

Thanks I'll do that on my next order. I have enough of the bubble bladed Fogy I'll just steal a blade off one of those if I want for now.

Between multiple forums and the Shimano Buy/Sell/Trade groups on FB I see them pop up weekly. The 200's seam to be anywhere from $125-$180 and the 50's are usually $140-$200 depending on condition. Your not the only one looking so keep a look out and be prepared to buy fast if you really want one. It's crazy how well they've held their value considering what they went for when they were being discontinued. I think I paid $109 for the 200E7 and $119 a piece for my 50E's brand new. Hoping to get my hands on another 50 but will likely pick up a Scorpion XT 1000 since when they do pop up they're often less than the Curado.

Yup right after Bassmasters people wents nuts buying them up. Seen the 1/2oz selling for $40+ each. Jackhammers are nice but I have a hard time paying normal retail on them personally. The Siebert Fogy is still a favorite of mine. I just got some of his Hot Sauce color on my last order though I didn't see an option to match his bubble blade with that color pattern.

Helsinki Shad, Red Crawdad & Hot Mustard are my three go-to's depending on conditions.

Casting I keep my leaders the length of the rod. Not feeling the knot in the spool is just what I prefer and length of the rod allows me enough get a good number or reties before replacing. I replace when I'm down to about 2 feet. Depending on what knot and reel your using I don't think having the knot in the spool would be an issue though. Spinning my leaders range anywhere from 6' to 10' long. The knot it the spool is a non-issue for me and I have enough for quite a few reties. Most times I run straight braid while frogging or with moving baits. On lines 10lbs or less I mostly just tie a uni to uni because it's easy and knot size isn't an issue unless your using micro guides. All leaders over 10lbs I tie an FG.

All good advice given so far just wanted to point something out.. Maybe it's just me but I rarely fish a jig as-is right out of the package. More often then not skirts & weed guards need trimming down some. No experience with the one your using but the issue with trailer length could possibly be fixed by just trimming the skirt.

Black & blue > junebug > red craw > everything else Most of the water I fish is dirty. I went through a period of trying every jig & soft plastic color I could get my hands on but those three are the only ones that produce time after time. I keep most of my bright & natural colors separate for when I'm fishing clearer waters.