tmier

He's right. You need a control variable to make a good decision on the best combo. Each rod loads the bait differently on the cast, and each reel will release/retrieve it differently.

I too panicked on deeply hooked fish when learning the carolina rig. I grabbed a new set of wire cutters so I could cut the hooks through the gills. I've had to pinch the barb on a hookset that pushed the point out of the fish's eye. That was a no brainer. Had to throw that hook away. I can't fish with confidence if the barb is pushed down. Get the right tools and you'll do fine.

I just got a code on eBay for a bit less than BPS. Its this years model in LH just before they discontinued it so I'm excited. Now I need a pitching rod to put it on.

I've been looking for a LH code. The Quantum website says they make it but I can't find one. I just emailed their customer service dept.

Dead stick, take a break, then pop it.

But what about the middle of a hot sunny summer day? A buggy popper may be the only thing to produce. And if it's windy why can't you walk a popper with rattles?

Does anyone set their reel guide at the center of the spool before the pitch? I wanted to try this when I get my reel back from repair.

^ What ww2farmer says ^ I got a hard strike throwing a swimbait right after the bass poked my popper and retreated under a jet ski. If you got his attention he has to be hungry right?

What would be the best hook to use and how would you rig it? I usually bury it weed less style with the hook toward the tail. But it does tear up the plastic after only a few casts.

What they said...I wouldn't even think of trying that with braid. If you did pull her out you should have swung her towards shore. The pause could have allowed a 2 pounder to snap your 6# line.

I was going to buy some yozuri for my extra spinning spool. I wanted it for X-raps and other mid divers but now I'm thinking I should stick with a low test braid.

Wth is that? I've been learning to walk it but ne'er heard of it.

I have heard more good things than bad. I take it for what it's worth but I will be trying the hybrid on my spinning set up.

Have you even tried different lines?

Thanks. I have already spooled up with spiderwire, and from a few trips out it casts well and I was surprised at the sensitivity compared to the garbage (Stren Flourocast) I was using. I could feel the barrel weight rolling over the sandstone until it fell of the ledges. Pretty cool IMO.

Now I'm a bit confused. I wanted a braided line that also sank. If its not the first you would pick, what line is? And what are the negatives for either line?

Sounds good, and saves a trip to buy more line. I still have some mono I can use for topwater in the summer. Thanks for the boost.

What would you guys put on your spinning set up ML for river fishing now and summer small cranks, topwater and finesse later?

I was using an egg sinker and a crane swivel. I didn't let the sinker slip back off the swivel and always watch the weight while casting a Carolina rig. Both times the line snapped just before the rig started to fall. So I lost ALOT of line on 2 snapped casts.

@Hooligan not to mention the memory their line holds. I'm reluctant to spend more on flouro bc I assume all flouro holds memory.

I didn't have any backlashes, thank God. I will check the guides but if they are smooth, what then? A bad batch of line?

Fishing on the river with a Mojobass 7' MH cranking rod and 15# Stren Flourocast tied to an old Shimano Curado. I'm using a Carolina rig with a floating jig. Yesterday's current made me use a 5/8 weight and I had 2 snaps on the cast. I can recall a few snaps last year using 20# trilene mono but this is new line I had soaked with L&L over the weekend. Is my line too light or should I get a hybrid?

Really? No one? Shocking...

We are gearing up for the walleye run on the Maumee river here in NW Ohio. It's my 3rd season and I'm trying to put together a game plan with the gear I already have. I have two setups: St. Croix ML 7' Eyecon w/ Phlueger President St. Croix M 7' Mojobass w/ Shimano bantam 201 Curado We use a Carolina rig with a snap swivel attached to a barrel swivel holding the 6# flouro leader and a floating jig. The only morning I used the Eyecon, the current was too fast and I had trouble bouncing a 1oz egg sinker on 10# Berkley 100% flouro. I didn't feel much until I ran into snags. For the summer lake bass I got rid of the flouro, too much memory and casting seemed affected. I spooled up with 8# Fireline Crystal and got the Mojobass, spooled with 20# Trilene mono. It was a fun summer. Now it's almost spring. From last year's experience I understand I have to maintain better contact with the bottom and use a line sensitive enough to transfer strikes through a leader and two swivels. I will use the Eyecon on low water and light current days (1/4oz to 3/4 oz) and the Mojobass after rainfall (3/4oz +). But what lines should I use? I need durability and sensativity which tells me flouro, and now I know about conditioners that improve their performance. But is flouro better than braid in river current with flat sandstone? Not to mention I'm stumped on weight. Without guidance I would try a 6# or 8# braid on the Eyecon but am scared to use any braid on the Curado. The heavy set up would get a 14# flouro, with casting distance in mind on high water days since I cannot wade deeper and am further from center channels. Any advice would be put to test because I am honestly guessing.

You can try satellite images that refresh daily, such as google earth w all the plug ins or even nasa. I was gonna try this this weekend. When the water is shallow the holes should show up pretty easy. You can also look for current breaks and eddies so your not spending all your rime in the same shallow spots.