rippin-lips

Did I just read this right? You throw #10 on casting gear and with frogs. Why?

I run #10 pp and never snapped the line unless I'm snagged. Hooksets aren't much different vs my casting setups but my drag is set pretty loose.

I use them on my crankbaits. Hang one off each hook on the treble.

No real cutoff as I'm sure we all have our own methods but my method is as such. #10 = 8 #12 = 7 #14/15/16 = 6 #20 = 5

I use the Palomar with braid and mono or copoly but with fluoro I use the uni. 5-8 wraps depending on line diameter.

I don't know. I guess I just prefer to get the answer on my own if at all possible verses asking questions that the answer can be found pretty easily. I like to think that I'm fairly active on here as far as offering help and insight where I can but some of the questions seem like no brainers to me. If I need info on a bait, I google it. If I'm not satisfied with what I've found and still need something answered then I'll ask here or whatever forum pertains to what I'm looking for. And how do you get familiar with something you don't know anything about? Look it up.

Put in a little foot work man. It's very simple to find the stock hook sizes of most baits. TW usually has it listed under description. It would take less time to look it up verse writing this post. As for brand,pick one. Gamakatsu,owner,and mustad are your top 3 choices. As for size,stock or 1 size larger is what most people do. Some however go down in size to alter the baits sink rate or action. The internet is full of answers to just about anything you'd want to know.

Hey at least he's honest haha. Any good recommendations for the OP on a wooden rat?

I've never used it. Just giving the OP some choices to look at.

The Johnny rat wakebait is pretty nice looking. The bbz1 rat that's coming out looks good too and seems worth a try for the price. Theres the Jerry Rago rat also. Mini ms slammer is kind of a rat style wakebait. I've seen the nez on eBay and SU for sale.

I'm thinking about getting a replica made but I'm not sure yet. I'm hoping to hit the #8 mark first before I spend that kind of money.

Already have one and it's awesome. I suggest you buy one when it's available to you guys soon.

You're the first person I've heard say that. Okuma's CS has always been top notch for me and others. I've had to use it twice and both times I was shipped replacements at no cost and didn't have to jump through any hoops.

The stock drag is more than enough for any type of freshwater bass fishing.

Thank ya sir. Yeah I'm pretty pumped about it.

I heavy action rod with braid seems like a bit much for a walk the dog type bait.

I like their rods and own a few but this model is one I don't use. I have one and it's on the rack with no reel. For me it's only use would be 1.5 size square bills. It's pretty wimpy feeling honestly. They're known for being overrated. My H is an actual mh by lure specs.

I use the thin 3700 boxes. Label each box for weight and keep similiar styles in them. Football and arky are together. Then bullet and snootie heads are together. I load 2-3 boxes with my go to jigs and they're in the boat.

It's all part of the sport. You're doing what you can to avoid it but it's gonna happen now and then.

Started getting into swimbaits about a month ago. Nothing rare,super expensive, or special but it's a good start.

Live bait will win everytime in my opinion. A nose hooked minnow to be exact.

Length,weight, and distance all play a big part of the cost. You should just expect to pay around 25-35.

The question we all want to know is when will you make more?

You can't clean something without taking it apart. When speaking of flushing,we are generally talking about spool bearings. I have a video on YouTube showing how to replace the spool bearings in a tatula. It would work for you to be able to get to them and clean them. That's if you feel comfortable trying to do it. My advice is to send it to Mike @ DVT.

Yes, you are basically correct. As the spool slows down, the amount of braking applied by the grey tabs will reduce. They'll be at their highest during the beginning of the cast and taper off. The blue ones stay on the whole time and don't taper off. I'd say you'll be safe with 2 grey but maybe just till you get used to it try 3 grey tabs. There's no need to open the reel and turn them off before setting your spool tension for different baits. They're spring loaded and not doing anything at all when you aren't casting. Unlike magnetic brakes where you have magnetic force being applied even when you aren't casting. As with any reel, the less brakes you use and spool tension the chance for overruns go up.