Felix77

I just ordered some of the little tubes and the rigging for them on their website. Seems like it would be a phenomenal bait for finicky bass. In particular Smallmouth. Anyone used them before? If so what's been your experience?

Anywhere in Florida

I really need to give this thing another chance. I tried some of these methods with no success but not all of them.

I will tell you a little more about what prompted my question ... I was watching an episode of the Bass Pros. Tim Horton was talking about soil composition as it relates to fishing. He went on describing in detail some of various trees, the soil they grow on and how that relates to the soil going into the water. He then described it as a good gauge of the type of soil to look for when chasing bass throughout the year. I also think other wilderness stuff would apply more to the hiking fisherman (those chasing bass from shore). Made me wonder what others on the forum think about it.

As I get more and more into bass fishing I wonder if there is an advantage to having wilderness skills of any kind. Even as simple as knowing the types of trees, the soil they grow in etc. I'm not talking about Bear Grylls like skills but something. Is there value here? If so then what is important? As a city boy (born in the Bronx, NY) I didn't grow up in nature per-se. Most of the trees I saw were surrounded by concrete and fenced up. Check out my Bronx nature pic.

This internal weight with a 1/0 or smaller EWG is awesome. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-XPS-Tube-Weight/product/44436/

another for the uni to uni knot. I love Seaguar Invizx and use it in conjunction with PowerPro 10lb Braid. Make sure to put more loops on the braided side.

I say if it's his first then it doesn't matter. If they get really into it they will spend enough on rods in the long run. If I had to choose I would pick the 2 piece 6'6". Not because it's 2 pieces but because it's in between the 6 and the 7 foot. I started off with a very similar 2 piece. 6'6" Abu Garcia MH spinning.

My friend gave me a baitcaster because he was fed up with backlash. It was a cheaper Quantum with only two bearing. The one on the spool and the one by the magnetic break. The other one was a plastic "bearing" where the tension knob was. I was curious about bearing replacements so I decided to upgrade them with Boca bearings. Not the orange ones but one price point below. In brief here were my findings 1 - Doing the spin test went from less than a seconds to over 8 seconds. 2 - I could cast lighter lures with less effort. (1/4 oz or less) 3 - I got a ton more distance out of regular weights (1/4 oz or greater) It's certainly worth it if you feel you can manage the extra "power" it provides you. So much of mastering the baitcaster is the person behind the rod and not the bearings.

My 2 favorite moments of all time ... Randy Moss = "I'm going to sign this fish ..." and the Strike King Sexy Dead Carp Head Makes me cry/laughing everytime I think of it.

Beat me to it.

I used it for 2 spinnerbaits. No double ups yet.

Love his show. Would love a chance to fish with him.

All I have going through my head is Walter Payton Earl Campbell and a scene in Superbowl XXV when Ottis Anderson was running over the Bills. Arguably one of the turning points in that game. So many of their runs would be 15 yard penalties now. This game is getting softer each and every year.

That's the trick ... It's much lighter than a senko so it can take forever to get down. I probably don't let it sink enough before working it back in.

I hear you man ... I hear so many good things about it and I have yet to get bit on one. The rig I use is similar Uni-2-Uni leader (8lb FC to 10lb Braid), 4/0 EWG hook, Zoom Super Fluke. It's obviously my cadence or something ... Once the ice is gone I am going to try it your way ... I'm not giving up. I hear too many good things about it to give up.

Strike King caffeine shad is my #1 fluke. I can't seem to get bit on a Zoom super fluke. I bought the D Shad and the new Havoc Jerk recently. Can't wait until ice out to try them.

1 - the drop shot. Committing to it as my go to finesse technique. 2 - in tournaments it's to catch my limit in every tournament. That alone should help me place better than I did last year. 3 - Get on the water more often this season.

Welcome! Keeping an open mind is the way to a wealth of knowledge ... You came to the right place ...

I did that last year with a lot of success in one tournament. Unfortunately it got me numbers and not weight. That's part of the problem with the "panic box" lures sometimes. It's focus is generally to fill a limit and not chase the big one. In every tournament I have 2 of them rigged and I will toggle between the more aggressive presentations and these "Panic" ones.

I ended up reverting back to PowerPro 10lb the last time. I still have that rigged on my tournament stuff. I have one rod/reel for fun fishing and for experimenting with line. It takes a lot to graduate to my tournament set. LOL

Exactly! I laughed at my last pic because I am in my work clothes. Didn't think of it when I took the pic. I usually in some grungy sweatshirt and jeans. What you didn't see is the camo sneakers I switched into ...

I tried it when it first came out and did not like it. Now that they came out with the Moss green and I am a year+ more experienced with fishing I decided to give it another chance. Namely because this line did cast a mile! My primary issues before were 1 - Knot slippage. Generally used a regular Palomar. I intend to try with the double palomar and a modified improved clinch knot to see what works. 2 - Fray - Seemed to fray easily. I was not careful with cutting the line. Maybe by paying more attention I could make this line work. I will keep you posted.

Rapala Braid Scissors - $3 @ Wally World. Own several pairs.

Definitely talk to your boater to see what he plans to fish. Not lures but water depth, structure or cover. Stock your tackle primarily for that stuff. Also have in your toolbox some things for other conditions based on any research you find online or through map study. Always have one versatile go to finesse technique and power technique that you can always rely on. For me that is the spinnerbaits (1/2 oz) and the finesse worm on a shaky head. Those are tied on no matter what! Lastly I carry only 5 rods with me. 3 bait casters and 2 spinning. 2 with my go to techniques and the other 3 to cover everything else in my tackle box. Good luck.