RoLo

Retying can only be postponed until the line breaks...now you have no choice.

Tie your 50-lb braid to the eyelet of your frog...Done. The next time I incorporate a leader with a hollow frog, will be my first time. Roger

Roger

That's what I was trying to say

Congratulations on a great day! I have a soft spot in my heart for Georgian Bay (endless anecdotes) The seclusion you mention is a contributing factor among others. I'm curious to your jump-off point....we went out of Moon River & Parry Sound. Roger

"More puzzled than anything", and therein lies the solution. You're wise to turn a defeat into a challenge Roger

The woods where I hunted & trapped was perched between Salem Rd and North Ave. That was before the Conant Estates and Kean's College (which then was Mrs. Kean's Estate). The river wasn't fished because there used to be a Schering chemical plant that discharged into the river. The woods behind what is now college campus, was chock-full of rabbits, pheasant, wood ducks ~ ~ Roger

Nothing darts and glides like an unweighted Super Fluke, it's one of my funest ways to fish, bar none. When we lived on Walk-in-Water, bass made fools of themselves, whacking bubblegum Flukes. Roger

When I use a C-rig, which isn't that often, I'll stick with a 30" leader, in the ocean as well. Roger

I grew up in Hillside, NJ, but you're the first person I know who fished the Elizabeth River. Kudos ? When I lived Hillside, it was largely rural (Lyons Farm). Though trappers were numerous, no one fished the river. You're catching killifish, so I'm guessing you're fishing closer to the Turnpike (brackish water). Roger

Say Goodnight, Gracie

If fly fishing was included, my first choice for bluegills on top would be a “black gnat dry fly – size 14” With spinning gear for bluegills & crappies on top, I'd opt for a Rapala #5 Original Floater (2.0” x 1/16oz) Goes without saying, smallmouth & largemouth will also blast a floating Rapala Roger

It's always been my opinion that bait 'buoyancy' is more important than the 'jighhead'. That is to say, I'd rather have a floating worm on 'any' jighead, than a sinking worm on the world's best shaky head. To that end, it's hard to beat Strike King "ElazTech" baits and Z-mans "ElaZtech" baits". Note the difference between a capital 'T' and a capital 'Z' No surprise there Roger

I can't say that I have, but I can say that I spurned the clinch knot way back in the 1970s. They came back with a 2nd attempt called an "improved" clinch knot...too little, too late. (A telltale sign of a slipped clinch knot is a line-end that looks like a pigtail) All I ever use (fresh & salt) is a uni-knot to uni-knot for virtually everything (Uni = universal). I have no knot loyalty, and if a Uni-knot ever fails me, I'd drop it like a hot potato. Roger

You guys are very kind, and though I've never owned a kayak, I don't separate kayaks from boats. A kayak is a boat for which I have a lot of respect (My love for rowboats & oars has never subsided). Okay, I feel better now Roger

The Message is Pretty Clear Roger

HOLY COW...That's a super cat! Roger

That's true, reduced supple and heightened demand is a bad mix I placed an order around the 1st of August, that included 2 rods and 2 reels. Surprisingly, I took delivery about a week later. Maybe I just got under the wire. Roger

Here in Florida, the summer season is largely a 'punching' game. When you find the right weed-mat, it can hold a remarkable number of bass, like no other time of year Roger

Now there's a price that's hard to beat

I need to thank you guys, for alleviating my feelings of guilt. Roger

At $160, it might be outside your price point, but I'd personally go with a Dobyns Sierra 6'8" MH/F (683) There isn't much that blank can't handle. Roger

> Shimano Expride ~$270 > Kistler KLX ~$300 > Phenix Recon ~$200 Roger

It would seem to me, that entirely too much emphasis is being placed on the rod. Once an angler gets the hang of zigzag walking, he should be able to pick up any stick and 'walk-the-dog', without ever worrying about length, power or action. Dog-walking is performed by the angler, not by the rod. Roger

Amen