5dollarsplash

Just got mine in today and you guys are making me anxious lol. Of course the weathers decided to dump another 6-10" tonight...

Lol nice. My springer thinks I'm in danger when I have a fish on and we're bank fishing. Thats what keeps me from saying we'll go fishing together this year, if I can break her of attacking the fish and bouncing around we'll be in the clear. Here's a picture of the fierce protector

DVT nailed it, tools. I can open a can of soup with a knife, but it would be so much easier if I could use a can opener. I prefer to carry a variety. Some feel strongly one way or the other. I think its a matter of deciding what your personally comfortable with and going forward with it.

He does but he's more of a walleye guy. You can tell everytime he's on the lake, not a quiet man and not a tiny motor!!! He's got a....well he calls it a cabin, close to where I live. Married a local girl.

Still a good looking pooch. I'm thinking I'll try my 1 year old springer mix in the boat this year without any tackle. I'm not sure how she'll handle it yet, but she loves bank fishing.

Do you use backing? If so, the joining knot may be causing the issue.

The Rage Tail Menace has been a great producer for me on swimmers. Good advice as usual from RW.

Joking aside, I considered this, and I think I'd get frustrated with the film stars lack of fishing ability/knowledge. P.S. I knew I thought about this too much when I talked myself out of taking a adult film star.

Along this line, Louis CK

I've been trying to switch to how you have it Hootie. Last year I had the trigger between middle and ring when a big pike took my jig. I thought I was ok until it was time to winch in the boat and leave. While winding I got what I'd call a tendonitis type pain in the middle finger. Being that the middle finger is so very important, I'm changing grip this season.

Unless it doesn't work, or stops catching fish, I wouldn't do a thing. I'd go pick up a new one if either of those is the case.

Nice job on those perch colors, really liking that jerkbait.

New price on the Veritas is hard to beat. I didn't read through all your posts op, but you don't seem inexperienced, just young. Go with the fluoro if it works well in your area.

It's a point of reference for line diameter, not a hard written rule. Check line diameters when you look at the type of line you want, thats a better indicator of how much line you can fill the reel with.

You've got the pose down for the pictures too! I got a kick out of looking back and forth from your avatar to the post picture.

MH F rod, loosen up your drag some for the poppers or you might rip out treble hooks. I like the *** recommendation although I don't use one myself, they seem overwhelming popular at your price point.

I've run into the same thing, and the only solution I've found is going to the extremes-either short or long. Having a 2ft leader seems to have worked best for me.

Ease of use. Braid doesn't have memory like mono or fluoro. Why not all braid then? Well some think you get more bites as its less noticeable. Some prefer the abraison resistance of mono or fluoro to braid. I'm by no means saying you have to use leaders, but if its something that gives you confidence, I'm all for it.

The weakest point is what gives. Usually the knot connecting the leader to the mainline will give first. If not that, then the leader itself will stretch and give out.

They catch a lot of people with those designs

Bluegill and Perch look pretty darn good to me. And I bet Crappie would nab me a few Pike. Great looking work!

Depending on how you join the knots, the difference in diameter between mainline and leader isn't really important. That said, 12lb mono sounds good.

Mikes jigs have taken me from a guy with no jigs in the tackle box, to a guy that primarily throws jigs. I won't say that it wouldn't have happened with another brand, but after reading everyones recommendations awhile back, and talking to Mike, I had confidence in his jigs before even trying them. Almost everytime I've ordered from Mike, I've sent him a message first, asking for advice on colors/weights/shape, always answers and helps. Nothing against other companies, but you don't get that kind of service very often.

If you got it on tight while spooling up, I think you'll be fine. I use 20lb on my Curado 50e and haven't had any issues, try to keep from having tight line over the top of slack line and you'll be alright.

I've only played with one in shop, but the Okuma Guide Select has almost universally positive reviews. If I was in the market that's where I'd begin and probably end my search. I have fished musky and pike quite a bit, and using the longer handles is something you'll do almost instinctively after a couple of casts.