OkobojiEagle

I use backing with braid only if the filler spool doesn't fill the entire reel spool. If I hook into a good musky I want to have confidence in all of the line on my reel. If I do need to fill a reel spool out with backing I use braid from previous line changes. steve

My life's philosophy about fishing knot tag ends... if it's not hanging up on something, it doesn't need trimming. steve

Dodge... is that the only hang-up? ;D The tag of the braid line doesn't cause much problem as braid is quite supple. I wouldn't leave the tag of a fluoro leader that long, although I do leave a fluoro tag at the terminal connection at least 3/8". steve

When tying leaders at home I'll brush a little glue on the braid as Dodgeguy does. I don't bother with glue if I'm tying a leader on in the boat, instead I'll leave the braid tag at least 1/2" long to accommodate any slippage. steve

Hey Steve, How long do you think that coating lasts? I'm thinking about trying some of the 832 on a spinning rig. Sufix plans for it to last the life of the line. In the real world, while softening up, it will probably always remain stiffer than the Fireline braid... but, of course, that's just my guess. steve

Pay some attention to how stiffly lines are processed (coated) and what your intended purpose for the line is. Fireline braid is a lightly coated very limp braid, whereas 832 is a considerably heavier coated (stiffer) line. It is my experience that a more heavily coated stiffer line performs better on spinning tackle and lighter coated limper lines perform better on bait casting tackle. steve

Well done Grasshopper.

Wasn't KVD's jerkbait he won in Pittsburg with an out of production bait? steve

Take some apart under a magnifying glass and then tell me it isn't braided. steve

Read as: one man's opinion. Light test fused lines behave better on my spinning equipment than lightly coated limp braid (read as: another man's opinion). steve

I think if one of those four win the Classic with "his" bait, shelves will be bare of the bait within hours! steve

Because many "bites" with tubes & grubs can be very difficult to recognize, an exposed hook (where cover and structure will allow) will increase catch rates. Deeply hooked bass are not uncommon and barbless hooks will GREATLY reduce damage when releasing them. steve

I think texposing the point is merely a nuance of the jigworm technique necessarily caused by the cover you may be fishing. I've jigfished for years and continue to do so. New jigheads that stand up with larger hooks and plastic worms that are more buoyant are but evolving equipment used. The semantics are not worthy of arguing, but I smile at many of the discussions about this new technique called shakey worming. Jigworming still catches bass no matter what you call it. steve

To the best of my knowledge, only their own labels. steve

Pure Fishing is the umbrella for Berkley, Stren and Spiderwire lines. steve

Interesting article although written from the viewpoint of Toray. A greater cross-section of sources would have been more assuring, but that seems to have become the norm for information distributed on the internet. It probably was complete enough to satisify the questions we recreational anglers have. steve

Ultra-Cast braid is an eight strand tightly woven braid that is one of the rounder braids on the market. steve

Yes it will dig. Having said that, I spool 15lb Spiderwire UltraCast on four of my baitcasters that I use in moderately open water. I play the bass more with the rod than the reel and experience only a little digging. steve

In my opinion... yes. steve

Great rod, but the store should be clearing out a two year old rod alot more aggressively than that. I'd offer 100.00 even and he should be thinking about taking it. steve

It appears that Berkley told each of the pros to design a bait as they'd want it and then go win the Classic with it! steve

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/berkley-havoc-baits ask and you shall receive steve

Hmmm... that would present an interesting molding challenge as one is freeze molded and the other heat molded. steve

I prefer to fill the entire reel spool with the braid. If there isn't enough braid on the filler spool I back it with braid I've discarded from a previous use (I'm frequently trying new braids). When I have a bass-of-a-lifetime or even a really big musky spooling me I want as much of that braid on my reel as I can get. It would be a pretty sick feeling to see that line connection knot zinging through my guides followed by some old cheap mono! steve

Maybe we could have Patrick Sebile tell us if he feels "wiped out" after he cashes his check from Pure Fishing. It appears to me that he is a shining example of what the american dream is all about. steve