Felix77

Initial loading of line - I use it while spooling the line, then soak the spool in it after it's all on. After that I squirt some on the night before a tournament and that's it.

This one is easy for me. My all purpose rod is a 6'6" MH F Spinning Rod. I pair it with a spinning setup which has 10lb braid. I use this thing for everything and I mean everything. Easy enough to add a Fluoro leader too if needed. This is my go-to setup for tournaments and I also have a travel rod (3 piece BPS Extreme) which goes with me on trips. I even have my original 6'6" 2 Piece which I bought at Wal-Mart in my car for those emergency fishing moments.

My biggest largemouth I caught this year was about 5.5 lbs. Last year I caught a Smallmouth which was 5.89.

This year my goal was to learn the drop shot rig. I spent a lot of time practicing with it but when tournament time came I ended up in situations where the drop shot was not ideal. I reverted to the Mojo Rig and ended up catching a ton of fish on it. Ended up doing exceptionally well with it all season long. As for the tournament trail ... I had my ups and my downs. I will say that all the efforts to learn what I did wrong last year paid off. I just made new mistakes which I need to learn from for 2014. I kept a mini journal and I might share it if it would help others. Just need to record it electronically. This weekend will most likely be my last attempt before I call it a season.

I didn't know what to do with myself during lunch time. LOL

7lb 3oz ... ??? I feel like I am on The Price is Right. LOL

All, I am reflecting on the tactics which I used last year and how I might improve on them. One of them is pitching weeds (in and around them). Last season I used straight fluorocarbon and felt like I missed a few bites because of 1 - stretch 2 - sensitivity I was wondering if anyone leverages a setup which includes braid with a fluorocarbon leader to do this technique. Something like 40lb braid with a 20lb leader to use with weights like 1/2oz all the way up to 1oz. My thought is that the braid would alleviate the stretch and sensitivity issue. The leader would help with visibility and provide at least a little give. Thoughts?

It's my favorite FC. I use it on all my baitcasters and on my finesse spinning. I have used 8lb all the way up to 20lb and love them all!

I did and ended up with a beard my wife loves. Looks like a new look for me to end 2013.

I forgot to mention that I have 2 of the older Orra SX reels which I bought at the Grand Opening of the BassPro nearby. I tried them twice and so far they seem good too. They are a definite upgrade from my Silver Max's. Could tell in just a handful of casts.

http://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/earnings/espn-sports-2011.htm and #11 goes to the Poker Player!

I use them both ways. Both give a little different action and flat out catches fish! BTW this is another way I save on senkos. If I get a small tear which keeps it from rigging properly I rig it from the other end. Hope this helps.

I own 3 OrraS Reels. Two 30 size and one 20 size. I love them. For the price you can't beat it. I use one on a MH and have caught numerous good Pike on it. Drag holds up very well. The other is on a drop shot rod and my last one is on a M rod which I use for all other finesse stuff (namely my mojo rig). You cannot go wrong with them IMO.

Not sure that everyone would be alive but Daryl if we left it to the fans. LOL

Very true ... Keeping mentally alert for that amount of time is grueling!

I agree. I also agree that when he knows the truth about what she did he will be ok with what happened. Wanna bet she turns into a Zombie and he has to shoot her like he did his brother. LOL

I second this! I didn't hear it from anyone but ended up practicing "feeling the bottom" this way with jigs, weighted t-rig stuff, tubes etc. when I began fishing. Once I could "feel" bottom I could begin feeling subtle differences. Caught me some good fish as a result. Line watching to me is all about patience and concentration like someone else suggested. Stay alert and observant and you will catch some more fish.

IMO finesse and baitcasters don't go together. I fish with a lot of guys who fish weightless senkos, drop shot, finesse tubes etc on baitcasters. Not only do they seem to backlash more often they lack distance that a spinning reel setup can provide. Anything around or less than a 1/4 goes on my spinning gear. I know distance isn't everything but sometimes when they are fussy or heavily pressured getting it out away from the boat is the only way to catch them.

Get your broom stick out and one of those heavy wire Shakey E2 heads and bring that puppy up.

Afternoon for me.

Technically if you are competing its classified as a sport. Its irrelevant how much (or little) one sweats in the process.

Start up the chat coryn ... I for one am glad the virus thing is finally over and we can move on to some other topics. This was a great episode. I swore Glenn was done!

Keitech Easy Shiner ... slow and steady gets them for me.

I dabbled in ice fishing the last two years but didn't have fun doing it. Namely because I don't know what the heck I am doing. I plan to put my own jigs together but that won't last all winter. I always struggle this time of year. I am hoping to be inspired by someone else on this thread.

Trilele knot with Fluorocarbon and Mono Palomar with Braid.