rangerjockey

Great rod. I have it in the AGS version. Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and bigger topwaters are normally what have on it. I don't throw swim jigs much but I'm sure it would work fine.

I use the BC2 also for the ol' ball and chain. I use 12lb Invisx and a Carolina keeper. I did away with all the hardware 10 years ago and haven't missed it in the least. Being able to adjust the leader length is a plus for me.

Getting baits hung up is part of the price of admission. I use what line I feel gives the best performance for me. Seldom do I go out in the boat and not break off a couple of something . In fact I wouldn't ruin a good spot by jerking on a stuck bait like a wildman. You may want to invest in a plug knocker or one of the extending poles. Honestly, If you get stressed over a lost bait, wait till you buy a boat.

I can see no reason not to use Flouro for anything I'm dragging. I personally have never had a problem with break offs or knot issues. It's fine for buzz baits and any topwater that you have pulled tight like the plopper / choppo. I like the crank FC for diving baits. I do use braid to a short FC leader for walking baits and poppers. In the wind up you have to figure out what works best for you and where you fish.

Cast X12

I think you did about as well as you could have considering your fishing from the bank and no electronics to see if anybody is home. I have about 200 way pointed around here but the problem is that if I can find them so can everybody else. One method involves a pontoon boat , a load of brush or PVC, some cinder blocks and the cloak of darkness. Of course they will eventually get found and not all of them will hold fish but it's kinda fun.

I don't tie it anymore.

I can remember my Dad taking me to Eufaula and we stopped by the Manns factory.They sold them in bulk and you just grabbed handfuls of your choice. Back then it was either a jelly worm or a fliptail. I personally wouldn't buy them anymore and I'm not sure who owns them,probably pradco but they are a part of Bass fishing history like Gene Larew with the salt infusion.

Personally I would just swim the minnow. A 3/8 head and a 5 inch bait is going to catch the same fish IMO.

I have some of each line and I don't find them confusing. The moderate and moderate fast actions are moving bait rods vs the fast/x fast that are dragging rods. What model are you looking at ?

None, I sold the last of my E5's. I still have a couple Citica E's that I use for the wart/crawler in the winter, I kinda regret not keeping one of the curado's though.

I always have one in the rod locker. I don't really "drop" on them as much as cast to them anymore. Back in those days with 2D you could see the weight and the bait as well as the fish rise up to get it, now that we are looking out front some are in an uprising. But I digress.

Is that the Mill creek ramp ?

I've done the fan , held it out the window of the truck and soaked them in salt water. Honestly I don't think it matters all that much but if it adds to your confidence then it's worth it. I used to buy them from a local guy. He used to hang them on the trellis in his garden and let em spin.

Rubber has the best action IMO. The Cumberland Blaukat jig is actually really good . Otherwise just silicon for me. I learned jig fishing on maribou. The ol' jig and pig but I wouldn't go back to it.

You can get it worked on but it sounds like you have it figured out.

I've had several 873's and never kept them. Great rod, but I never got as excited about it as some others. But to each their own. Not sure where you bought your Metainium but the way to go is Digataka in Japan. If memory serves I paid $257 US a couple months back

The main lake is pretty clear. That's where Wheeler was, and I'd think most of the guys were looking for smallmouth. The big hotel you could see where he started is the chateau on the lake it's a good landmark. I'm up the James river which is more stained . It looked like MDJ may have up this way but it's a pretty good run from long creek where they started. They also caught some meanmouth that scored.

I enjoyed MDJ cranking the bluff banks without the front looker but I figured he would be SOL without the clouds and some wind today.

I have theTatula also and it's a fine rod but I would have a hard time leaving that X10 on the sidelines.

I believe Beast Coast makes a hybrid of buck tail and silicon.

We have had a fantastic spring. They have bit for weeks, I'm not surprised that these guys have caught them so well.

You will never cast it down to the spool. On my Metaniums, I start with 50 yards or so of backing and top it off with Invisx or, if I catch a sale, Tatsu. There's no need to hit them in the head with the bait. One thing FFS has shown what a lot of us already knew, is that they will come a long way to get a bait they want. Also if you're not proficient with a baitcaster yet I would hold off on the expensive line .

1/8 or1/4