Mumbly

Definitely topwater. Spooks, poppers....you name it. Nothing like it.

Congrats!! To me there is nothing like catching them on topwater.

I read quite a few articles and posts on other sites as well as this one that state Sufix 832 sinks due to the strand of gore fiber, albeit slower than fluoro. I have yet to use it so I was trying to see if folks might know if it is still usable for topwater "walking" baits.

I will agree with your comment about Gene helping by suggesting that the OP watch his video (we all know how great and informative his video's are). However with the OP's response of "but Im not looking to watch a video, i joined to actually get some help and opinons.", it seems increasingly more difficult to help someone that won't help themselves. Just an observation.

Spinnerbait for me also. Just looking for a reaction and cover a lot of water.

Great fish! Congrats Dave.

Totally agree with Long Mike. It still sucks when it happens and I feel terrible.

I think like most people I would be really happy catching a big fish but I am perfectly happy catching a bunch of dinks as well. I enjoy topwater the most so I tend to have more fun doing that and catching dinks.

I need help. I am usually a "keep it simple stupid" type of person but this line business has me really over analyzing things when it comes to line on a spinning reel. I am going nuts here. I appreciate the comments on the Big Game. I guess I should have asked but I didn't think of spinning vs. casting. The question now is.....what to use on a spinning rig for mostly topwater smallmouth. there a lot of chain pickeral in the area as well so that needs to be a consideration. My first reaction was to go with a braid as it floats, making it ok for topwater but I now have read many articles where folks are saying it isn't that great as it is too responsive with it's lack of stretch, which makes you pull the lure away from fish. They advocate using mono as the stretch helps delay with hook sets. I have had great success using Stren mono in the past but the chain pickeral have me a bit concerned as I'd hate to break off losing a sammy, gunfish or spook. I have read a lot on using braid as it floats....well....then I come to find out that Sufix 832 doesn't float, which stinks as I have a few spools of both 20 and 30. Do I just stick with a good mono like Stren or as Capt.Bob suggested Trilene XL (although I am a bit concerned about it's abrasion resistance) but bump up a bit in pound test? Rig will be a Symetre 2500 on a 6'6" or 7' Medium/Moderate-fast rod. Also ...would I be able to use this rig for frogging chain pickeral or should it be heavier? Some suggestions would be fantastic.

I have a late 80's Shimano Bantam Black Magnum and a Bantam BeastMaster 2-speed that I might dust off. Wonder how they compare to my Curado's?

Thanks guys. I will switch it out and use it for leaders in future.

Thanks guys. I will keep trying then. I have some friends in the US checking their Walmarts out but haven't seen a bone one yet. I ordered a few Super Spook jr's but have yet to try them out. ghost: I would take you up on your offer but I am in Canada and wouldn't want to put you through the mess of shipping to here.

I am trying Berkley Big Game line for the first time this year and seem to have an issue that I'd like some advice on. I bought two bulks spools of Big Game in 8lbs clear (purchased locally) and the other is 10lbs green (purchased from basspro online). I have the clear spooled on a Symetre 2500 and a Diawa Goldcast spincast reel. The green on a Symetre 3000. The problem is that the line is developing these "bumpy" and "rippled" areas in about 2 foot sections . The first is about 8 feet from the end and then the next is 20 feet from there. I have to keep cutting back as I don't know if this is compromising the line strength and I would hate to lose a fish and lure as a result. I tried to take a pic but not sure it is clear. I have a couple other reels spooled with 8 and 10 Stren and I don't have this issue with Stren. Any thoughts? http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q203/Aek29/BigGame.jpg

I didn't want to revive older thread so thought I'd create a new one. I know back in April and as recent as 10 days ago there were some folks that were picking up some Heddon, Rebel and Cotton Cordell lures for $1.50. They were in a "Bait Bonanza" box. My question is specifically about the Zara Puppy's. Did anyone find any Bone colored ones? All I have come across are some clear and two others that looks like a brown coachdog and froggy pattern, neither of which are on any website I have seen. Just wanted to ask if anyone has seen any of the Bone color for a $1.50 or if I am chasing a pipe dream.

Great info smalljaw67. I really appreciate it. Good to know the Mustad triple grips will be ok.

Just curious if the px type r is just as pricey in japan as it is here?

Just what I wanted to hear about the Jr's. What size split ring are you putting on?

Thanks guys. My order of Super Spook Jr's arrived today so I will try them tomorrow and see how it goes. I will change the puppy back to stock and will upgrade the hooks and try a red front. I have been wanting to try a red front for a while now. Really appreciate the responses.

I need some help and advice guys. I finally got the chance to fish my zara puppy and it was awesome, magical moment. When I got back home for some reason I thought about upgrades, mostly about adding a dressed treble to the back. I got a friend's Father (who is a fly tier) to add a bit of crystal flash and some white bucktail to a #6 treble exactly the same as a couple rebel pop'rs I have. I tried it out last night and it seemed to work ok but the action has changed. By that I mean it doesn't "walk" as easily as it did before. Also I wasn't getting solid hookups like a few nights before. I am thinking that the added bucktail is causing a bit of drag. Perhaps the puppy is just too small a size for added drag caused by the dressed treble? Also I was getting the impression that I was getting short strikes...perhaps the bucktail and crystal flash is too long? I am starting to think that this might be a case of "if it isn't broke don't fix it" and just go back to the stock puppy. Anyone adding a dressed treble to their Zara Puppy's? I was also thinking about trying this to my Super Spook jr's but now I am not sure. Would love some thoughts and advice. On a side note...are you guys changing out the stock hooks with same size or upsizing?

Huge thanks to all who have responded to this thread. I really appreciate it.

same price at Academy as well...sadly Academy doesn't ship to Canada nor do they accept orders using a Canadian credit card. Dicks will accept orders but only ship with the US. Guess I can order some and send to a friend in Oklahoma and then have them ship to me. Must be nice to be able to walk into a Dick's, Academy or Walmart and buy your own stuff. )

I found that out. Added $21 worth of flukes and shipping was $25 so I called to verify. The gentleman I spoke was very nice and verified the $25 shipping cost (for regular post) but the biggest deal breaker for me is they are not responsible if the parcel gets lost or damaged in the mail and I would be out of luck if that happened. I don't trust Canada Post that much. )

Thanks for the info guys. I really appreciate it. Tackle Warehouse ships to Canada...will call and ask to use their price match policy for Academy.

Canadian....so roughly $6.90 us.

I saw that. Sadly, Academy won't accept orders from Canada.