Felix77

You must live or die by the Albright knot. :-)

Good catch ... didn't even think of that.

Okay ... Looking to see how co-anglers would handle this question. If you had 5 rod/reels to bring with you what would they be and what would you have rigged on them assuming you know nothing about the lake you are going on. Here's my crack at it. #1 - 6' Medium Baitcaster - 12lb Mono - Topwater - Spooks, Chuggers #2 - 6'6" MH Baitcaster 6:4:1 reel 15lb Fluoro - Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, Swimbaits #3 - 7' Medium Heavy Baitcaster 7:1 Reel, 20lb Fluoro - Jigs, Spoons, Large CB's (Deep Divers), #4 - 7' Medium Baitcaster, 6.4:1 Reel, 12lb Fluoro - Crankbaits (KVD 1.5+), jerkbaits, Lipless Crankbaits #5 - 7' Medium Spinning Setup, 8lb Fluoro - Drop Shot, Wacky, Weightless Texas Rigged Senko, Light Cranks Wondering what you all would have in mind.

Just like anything else with fishing you need to find what works for you. Go ahead and buy a baitcaster and start simple. Throw 3/8 - 1/2 oz spinnerbaits around until you master how to set the tension, drag and can cast it without a backlash. After that move on to jigging etc. If you don't like it then just mail it to me. I have other baitcasters from others who hated the move. Just make sure it's an Abu Garcia. Just Sayin' LOL

This should get you started.

Does the bungee cause problems when casting or flipping?

Would it work for casting and dragging? Cast it out, let it sink, jiggle it a few, drag it out a bunch and repeat. Seems like for more of a stationary presentation using a drop shot.

Here's mine ... 5.89lb Smallie.

Has anyone in the forum used the Recoil Rig by Secret Weapon? Curious about how it's worked vs a traditional drop shot.

I drilled a hole into my computer desk, stick a pencil through it, put the spool on and hold it in place with hair tie's. With 4 girls in the house they won't miss 2 of them. The hair tie's work better than rubber bands because they allow enough movement in the spool to get your line tight to the reel but not too tight. Works perfect

Welcome to the party!

Yup ... sounds like your knot. When I was practicing knots I would tie them to a jig, hook the jig on a post and pull as hard as I could without compromising my equipment. That includes a few hard jerks like you are setting a hook. Confidence grew everytime I did it successfully. I toggle between 2 knots by the way. The Palomar and an Improved Clinch Knot with an extra loop. Both are extra strong. Besides that it's all be covered in the other posts. Good luck.

No hook slot for the UV Speed Worm. Now i'm curious about those bitters. Need to go find me some. :-)

Ray will be ready ... He's a beast! Are the bitters bait heavier in comparison to the Zoom UV? That's been my only problem with Zoom's fishing it weightless for me sometimes.

I was first introduced to these in Florida where you can buy them in every WalMart. In the clear waters we were fishing we used it as a buzzbait on the surface. When they struck it was awesome. If they missed it you just let it sink and they usually grab it then. I also use it as a search bait texas rigged with a 1/4 - 3/8 sinker. Swim it nice and smooth. For some reason they hate the "vibe" in the Ultra Vibe.

I am a huge fan of the Zoom UV Speed Worm. When I saw the design on the subwoofer I had to try them. The same tail action but in the shape of some type of baitfish. I quickly became a fan of these as well. Here's how I rig them. 1 - weightless EWG - Reel it on top for some awesome strikes. If you miss it let it sink and they usually gulp it down right away. 2 - Weighted spring lock hook - Swimming just above the grass/weed edges. Good reaction strikes. 3 - God old ball jig - Obviously for open water situations but it get's bites too. I have not tried it as a swim jig trailer yet. I find they do pretty well by themselves. :-)

Losing weight and the drop shot!

I have only been fishing for over a year and I have begun outfishing friends who have been doing it for years. They are amazed at the amount of knowledge I have on the subject. It's 110% because of this site. Especially the Glenn May video's who taught me a ton!

Right on! I use the same setup. I will go with a black Horny Toad at times as well.

I hear you! I am trying to lose over 80 pounds myself. Fishing related goals include learning the drop shot and jig. Need to devote some serious time to both this year. I think it will give me an edge in my league. :-)

Picked up a pack at last years BassPro Fishing Classic. Saw it demo'd in the tank and had to buy. Forgot which one I bought off hand. Think it was a ghost something (grey with a black back type). It's all about the drop shot with this. #2 and the weight (1/4 - 1/2) depending on depth. It's all about $$ versus value with them. If you can afford to spend money on them they will catch you fish. I prefer other lures with are less expensive (Zoom Fluke Jr, Meathead, & Fish Doctor, Roboworm stuff etc.) More than 1/2 the price and you get 20 of them in most cases.

Thanks for the welcomes from each of you. Yeah ... that "lunker" in my avitar struck a 3" Yamamoto senko on a 1/0 Straight Shank hook. Just in case you want to try catching one for yourself.

I use a 6.5 Medium Rod with a 300 series Abu Garcia. I spooled it with 10lb PowerPro braid and use an 8lb Fluoro leader. You feel everything with this setup and if you use a light wire hook on your jigs you can catch them with a simple reel set. Caught me lunker of the year (5.89 Smallmouth) last season. :-)

If you see the prices of Fluorocarbon you get what you pay for. The challenges with working with FL is the stiffness in the line which can result in bird nests if you don't put your line or manage your line properly. I started with Berkley FC lines, quickly upgraded to BassPro XPS and then finally settled on Seaguar InvisX because of how limp it is. It's in your budget and so far it's the best for the price in my opinion.