BasskingKeith

Great responses y'all, your opinions and knowledge is appreciated.

I haven't had a chance to try a silent lipless crankbait yet, been wanting to for quite some time. Anyone here use these baits exclusively? I got a feeling I might be on the right track to pick one up when a rattling one stops producing. What are your opinions?

I don't know if this is off topic or anything, but how does one get into tournaments? I've been wanting to try this out for a while now, but I have no idea where to begin... For instance, what is required for these tournaments; do you have to have a boat? Car? Are they expensive? ahhhh there's a lot to learn....

Braid happens to do that a lot. That's just part of it. I couldn't tell you of any baitcasters made for braid, except for that Ardent "flippin and pitchin" one. I have a spinning rod and reel combo "made for braid" though, it's a Pflueger Arbor.....

haha I guess I am a samurai swordsman when it comes to setting the hook...

Alright guys, really like everyone's insight on this topic. I never really used the centrifical braked reel. Most of mine are magnetic, and wondering if there was a real big difference. Thanks again, I found everyone's comments useful.

It's all about confidence right? ( or so they say ) I've used a lot of different Stren lines, the only one I have YET to try is their fluorocarbon. I am currently using Stren Sonic braid right now on one of my rods; I think it's deff. one of the best braids I've used. Their regular monofilaments are great too, plus Bill Dance was always using it. And if a pro is faithful in it, then why not be...

Alright... What is truly the big difference between the two? Is any one better than the other; does one have more advantages in windier conditions or what's the scoop? Is there supposed to be a difference, such as one being "better" than the other?......

haha Well said...

Sit upright? Wow, that's an interesting question. I do know some that will not turn over and roll around on slack or semi-slack line. Strike King's "Red Eye shad" and Yo-zuri's "Rattl'n vibe" are two that are very good at maintaining that upright position, but that's while the bait is falling. They also shimmy as they fall, giving it a swimming-like appearance.

Thank you guys!

Great experiences with the two, especially depending on the cover situation. Like Minnow said, there's some heavy cover down here, and braid is probably the best option for it. That's where braid's best features come alive, as there's no slack in braided line, so you can feel the bite instantly through that cover, given you have a taught line. Also, since braid is stronger per diameter, you can horse them through the thick stuff without worrying about breaking off too much. Fluorocarbon is my primary line, it's alright for spinning reels, but better for baitcasters. For fluorocarbon, I'd say the best "cheapest" one is going to be Berkley Vanish or Vicious fluoro. Braid is in the air, there's a lot of different companies now, but I'd say Stren sonic braid is one of the best, just my opinions through experience though. Hope this helps, good luck!

Hello everybody, I'm from Florida and I've been fishing for 8 years now. I have been looking for a site like this for a little while, and finally found it! I'm Also looking forward to sharing what I know from my experiences, as well as learning from everyone here.

Wow! I am really digging those Rage Craw colors. Thanks for posting that "Big O", as there's a lot of tilapia down here, and they have to be part of a bass' diet on such lakes. Very nice...

Yo-Zuri Rattl'n Vibe is, in my opinion,The Best. It's just like the Red Eye Shad, but at a much better quality. It shimmys as it falls, looks highly realistic and catches bass. Here's a link: http://www.basspro.com/YoZuri%C2%AE-Rattl%E2%80%99n-Vibe%E2%84%A2-Crankbait/product/11072011583960/172257

Walking the dog is my thing. I have an Allstar "waking dog rod" just for that. What you're thinking is a perfect setup man. If you use a glass rod, then you can get away with braid due to the softer tip. Graphite rods, like mine, will have a faster tip, so use mono. Mono helps for the treble hooks on the lure and the "throw factor" I'll call it. We probably all know here, that oddly enough, a three-pronged hook (treble) can be easily thrown, and that's the last thing you want when a big'n blows up your topwater.

That line is way too light for a 3/8 ounce spinnerbait. The second biggest bass I caught was on a spinnerbait, and I agree with "I Love Bass Fishing" up there ^. Mono is better for spinnerbaits, since spinnerbaits are easily thrown by bass, and thus, you know how that goes. Vanish is good line, that's what I use, just not for spinerbaits. As for knots, I live by the Eugene bend for fluoro. I used to use the Palomar, until I read an article from Bassmaster magazine. Gary Klein was having the same problem while setting the hook (That's right, a well known pro) as I did, getting broke off and what not. So, someone recommended the Eugene to him, and now it's all I use.

I mainly use fluorocarbon. All these guys above my post are recommending great lines, especially Vicious- for the price. In my opinion, Berkley 100% fluorocarbon is the best, but I actually use Berkley Vanish the most. I think your knot is going to be important while truly deciphering which line is the best. Very, very rarely do I get broke off on the hook set anymore, mostly due to my change of knot. I always used a Palomar, and never knew that it's just not too compatible with Fluoro. Thanks to an article in Bassmaster magazine where Gary Klein was having the same problem, someone recommended the Eugene Bend to him. He's "been using it ever since", and so have I. Hopefully you found this info valuable...

The rods are great! Never owned one, but I've used one (older model). Just don't get the Extreme baitcasting reels....

I am highly anticipating the spawn this year, or next more likely. Hopefully it's real SOON!

Braid is some tough line! I have never had a kink or anything like that in braid that will, in turn, substantially weaken it. However, in my "earlier" days of first using testing braid out (on casting gear), I've had some bad backlashes with it that did cut it in half down the spool. Let it be known that I was using Berkley's "Fireline" if anyone was wondering.