BasskingKeith

Try that Veritas-micro guide one out.

I'm jealous

Zoom finesse worm.

Yeah, they're irritating, I despise them

How do you rig them?

Wow.... talk about right place and right time lol

Anything will work on their beds. It's the funnest thing watching them react to a bait, any bait. Especially the big females....gets your adrenalin going every time!

Mustad and Gamakatsu hooks are good.

I hooked up to a couple Tarpon from a Miami bridge with one of those Quantum "green" torsion rods

Ahh this situation is becoming more complex than it is. The backing may prevent it digging in some amount, but digging in is something braid is always going to do at some point. It's no biggie. There's a couple reasons why backing is good though. If you're cheap like me, and would like to save some braided line, then backing comes in handy. It's not like you're going to be able to use half the braid if all of it is spooled, unless your cast nearly spools yourself. So that's one reason. Plus the whole "slippage" thing could be solved with backing, as It provides a foundation for your braid. Just put a couple layers of that cheap 20 lb mono on there, like 1/3 spool, connect the braid, and you're ready. You're just gonna have to pay more attention to your line, that's all. It's not as bad as it sounds.

Don't really need one for braided line; it floats. For crankbaits, you can use a leader if you want, why not? I don't personally use braided line for crankbaits. As for topwaters other than frogs - they get mono. Just me though. I like to use a flouro leader with braid when using other submersible baits, especially in clear water, though I've seen where it didn't matter at all. Biggest bass I seen was a 13.5 pounder my friend caught on 50 lb bright yellow braid (no leader) in clear water. Weird huh.....

Where can I acquire one of these Alabama rigs at?

Yes, it could and probably will dig in the spool one way or another. This could also arise from being snagged on something that wont budge and trying to pull it free. Thinner braid will dig in more than heavier braid. It's not that big of a deal, it's just annoying and usually hinders the drag. If you leave it "dug in" the spool, then you also wont be able to cast efficiently or at all.

Where can you find that Citica and Compre for a price like that? Sounds like a helluva deal

It wont be a problem at all. Braid doesn't have any memory, so you're good on that. It'll basically be right off the spool once you start fishing again. I've been using the same braid for 2 years, no problems yet....I don't use it every week, but it goes to show you that it will last for the most part.

Yeah, a jerkbait and probably a weightless worm of some sort. You could maybe even bang a crankbait into some of that stuff, especially if you're on a boat.

I want a 12 pounder dammit!

Alright y'all, those are the answers I was looking for. Thanks again...

Anyone ever use Greg Hackney "Hack Attack" Jig for punching through mats? If so, is this your go to jig for doing so, or do you use soft plastics instead? Does the 3/4 to 1 ounce model punch through somewhat easy? Always wanted to get one or three, but never did. lol

I'd get a medium action one. Wanna know why? Jason Penn ^ summed it up pretty well. The Vendetta/Veritas rods are stiffer than what is normally not so stiff. Plus I own a MH one, not in a million years I'd use that for cranking. Maybe ripping lipless crankbaits from grass, but nothing like you described. You're going to want it to be more "flexible" so you wont take the bait away from fish too quick, and plus it helps when the fish trying to throw the hook..

Hooked and landed an osprey, seagull or some look-alike, and a water moccasin. The birds weren't on purpose, that osprey swooped out of no where and nabbed my popper. LOL, then he wouldn't fly away after I unhooked him, so I picked him up and gave him a toss, then he flew away, out of my hands. Felt good. A catfish on a spinnerbait? Is that weird?

1. That fluoro isn't goint to work very well with a button reel. Just stick to mono for that one. The fluoro on the baitcaster, seeing that you're using mainly diving baits, should actually be beneficial. 2. Mono again, 8-10 lb test. 3. You could get away with any type of light line here, so mono or fluoro shouldn't be a problem. Light? 6-8 lb test should be sufficient. 4. Spinning reel? As long as the cover's not too thick, then 20 lb braid on that spinning reel is fine. I mean, that's what I'd do with what you have.... just my opinion I guess...

Thanks for your input Colton Neal, James 14, and 1234567. Much appreciated, and more importantly reassuring.

What he said....

Yeah man, I have never really focused as much on trying to get those early "big" ones I keep reading about. Trying to put as much time as possible to increase my chances. Normally, I just stumble upon fish that are already bedding, so I was trying to see if I can gain an upper-hand and hit em early.