Felix77

7'medium spinning with up to 1/4oz. VMC half moon.

FWIW - The max I will put on my spinning is 15lb.

I gave up trying to pair down. I never know what I am going to feel like when I get to the water. Instead I got a book bag like tackle bag and make sure I am comfy.

Hard lesson to learn ... I know.

8lb InvizX or Red Label for me with no issues.

ROI (return of investment) assessments is something I leave at the workplace. I measure this hobby one way ... enjoyment. 1 - I enjoy tinkering so I make jigs, spinnerbaits etc. 2 - I enjoy trying new lures. 3 - I enjoy fishing 4 - I enjoy catching a lot! As long as #1 - #4 are there I will keep doing this.

Is that what they call it nowadays? Sorry couldn't resist. Awesome catch! Both the fish and the wife.

I was hacked ... I would never say such a thing! It had to have been my 7 year old.

I was "into golf" until I found fishing 3 years ago. 2 leagues, countless hours on the range etc. Not enough time in my season for both. Haven't picked up my clubs in over 2 years.

I use a 6'6" MH Baitcaster. Mono - 15lb. 7:1x speed reel. Use them for the Sexy Dawg, Jr, Zara spook and spook Jr. Anything smaller and I go to Medium rod.

Got my 1st NY Bass yesterday. Water was freezing. Lost another one at the boat. Great to be back in the water again!

Heavier weights in general for all finesse ish lures. Otherwise it's heavy spinnerbaits and swimbaits for me.

I don't like the knot going into the spool so I tie a leader just long enough to go from the tip of the rod to just past the last guide before the reel.

Chip Kelly is a class act! Admired his work at Oregon and I am amazed at what he has done with the Eagles. Of course as a Giants fan I will always hate the Eagles ... and the Cowboys ... and to a lesser degree the Redskins and will deny I ever wrote this.

Technically I use 15lb braid and vary my line size between 6-10#. 90% of the time it is 8# test. Dabbling with 6# when I fun fish and go up to 10 in more aggressive waters and depths. St. Lawrence River smallies to be more specific.

Welcome!

I was very spoiled with my first tournament. It was a pike team tournament my club uses as a warm up on Ticonderoga. I was quite the novice but my partner and I worked out a plan. Little did I know that what I was using was going to be the ticket. My spinnerbait just seemed to be what they were biting on that day. My partner, who was also new to me was fantastic. He said if that is what they are biting on then you keep catching them and he will net and cull them. We won! Quite the intro to the club. LOL

Where in NY are you from? Welcome

I *just* bought a spool to try this out. 17lb. Hoping I don't have the same experience as .ghoti.

Welcome! PM me ... I am minutes from you. Definitely can show you around! A lot of good fishing in this area!

Flash mob Jr. rocks!

FWIW ... 3 years of using braid on my spinning and so far ... 1 - No wear on the guides. Seem just as smooth. I use Super Slick. Trying Smackdown. 2 - I up'd the size from 10lb test to 15lb test in year 2 and never looked back. Better knots with leaders IMO.

I got to use one in Toledo Bend. Loved the thump in the water that it produced. I used the swimbaits which came with it. Definitely buying more.

Generally I have the stem between my pinky and ring finger. I adjust tension based on what I am doing.