mjseverson24

I think my least expensive combo is one of my frog set ups, Its a BPS graphite series 7'6"H/F (19.99 shipped), and a Daiwa strikeforce reed for around 50. Over the past three seasons I have landed more 5+ lb bass with this set up then any of my other combos... For this year though I have upgraded my frogging reels to Lews Superdutys. Mitch

I just went through my plastics the other day, I would say I have about 120 lbs of plastics that I bring with on the boat. i have found about 11 plastics that really produce for me, and I have about 6 colors that I use, so I have been able to reduce the total amount of plastics I carry over the last few years, but my productivity has increased dramatically since condensing. Cant wait for open water... Mitch

I have a few of the double colorado booyah spinners that see a lot of action in dark water situations with no issues(caught a 40"+ pike on one, all it did was bend the wire and scratch off some pain on the head, bent the wire back and it is good to go) , that being said i do prefer SK spinners for most applications. Mitch

Personally I would go with the Daiwa T3 or T3-B and upgrade the bearings to hawgtech or bocas. The 8:1 ratio is awesome for picking up line in a hurry, and the T-wing is perfect for pitching jigs(this is what I use for light jigs and it is sweet.). For line I like either a Floro or a Hybrid, especially if I am fishing wood and rocks. Mitch

I like 10-15 lb braid with a 10+ ft 12 lb floro leader, it is the best of both worlds situation in my opinion... Mitch

I plan on picking some up, especially the jerkbait and the square bill... Mitch

dropshot with senko or finesse worm... Mitch

I would say fish definitely can feel pain, but in a very different way than humans interpret it. I think fish probably have very few nerve endings in their mouths as they eat crawfish and other baitfish with spikes and claws that would definitely cause a human pain. Now you take something sharp and poke the fish's eye or lateral line, and I would say you will definitely see a reaction to the sensation it is experiencing (pain). As far as fear, I don't think fish experience fear, but they do react to their environment, and they try to avoid interacting with humans as much as possible, especially larger older fish (not sunfish and minnows)... by avoiding humans does that not show fear? or do they just not like us... Mitch

I would go with the curado G for 100, unless the daiwa T3-B is the other option(i love that reel)... Mitch

I would suggest a Shimano Crucial with a Daiwa T3-B. if you get anything other than the 8:1 ratio I would upgrade the handle to either the hawgtech or the lews carbon fiber replacement handle... Personally if I was going to spend 350 on a combo, I would go with a falcon bucoo micro with the Quantum Tour MG, (this will be my next bottom contact set up)... Mitch

There are a few good options for what you are looking for, I would check out the shimano clarus or compre 7'2" M/F, another great multipurpose rod is the skeet reese spinnerbait rod, the mojo 7' M or MH/F is another great option, the veritas and omens are pretty sweet as well. Tatula for like 110 from a site sponsor is another great option... Mitch

for heavy cover frog fishing I would suggest the Lews superduty, or the Daiwa Lexa, for lighter cover the revo S is a good reel. I have not tried the tatula for heavy cover yet, but I would think that is a great reel for frogs. Mitch

st. croix makes a fantastic spinning rod, I would check out either the mojo/premier/triumph. I have all three, The difference in performance is negligible so I would go with the 7'ML/F triumph, but the mojo also has some more technique specific set ups and is a split grip if you like them... Mitch

I use all three types depending on the water I am fishing, clear 15 lb floro(or hybrid), mild stain 15 lb mono, dirty 30 lb braid with 30 lb floro leader(for abrasion resistance with pike and wood). Mitch

The only techniques I only have one rod for is punching and c-rigs, everything else is 3-5 combos deep (cranks, frogs, t-rigs, jigs, spinnerbait/swimjigs, jerkbait/topwater, finesse) Fishing tournaments it really helps to have multiples of each technique. Mitch

If something is not wrong with your reel, I would have to assume it is your casting technique. You should be able to cast a 1/2 oz jig quite a ways, especially with that reel, i would say close to 100'. anyway I hope you get it figured out, good luck... Mitch

I like 3 baits the havoc pit boss, and craw fatty, or the SK rodent. for less thick cover I like a jig with either a paca chunk or rage chunk... Mitch

they do figure out lures are not good for their health eventually, which is why you typically dont catch fish on the same lures that they did 50+ years ago at least not with the regularity that they did back then... the one thing that has remained constant throughout the years is a line is always attached to a lure, if you can somehow make that line less visible or noticeable I would say that is an advantage... Mitch

If I had to choose between those two reels I would get the pro max, that being said They are a graphite frame and sideplates, with a small handle. These combinations make it tough to really have confidence in any kind of cover other than sand... Personally for the 80.00 price of the pro max I would look at the BPS pro qualifier on sale, the skeet reese reel for like 50 ish, quantum accurist off an auction site, something like this might be better for you, a used citica G or E is also a great buy for 80 if you can find one... Hope this helps you some, good luck... Mitch

I would pick up a dropshot rod 7' ML/F with 6 lb floro and a 1/0 finesse hook and at least make it a fair fight, oh and yes the camera would be rolling... Mitch

Thanks for the review. I am very interested in this reel, mostly for flipping and pitching, my biggest drawback is I dont have a rod light enough to be well balanced with this reel on, so Until I decide to get a super light rod I will have to hold off on this reel. Mitch

I have not fished that lake either but I have fished the Brainerd lakes area quite a bit. In my opinion the best way to catch big bass in clean natural lakes is on the outside weed edge. I like dropshots, jigs and texas rigs, in clear water go more natural colors like green pumpkin or watermelon red. for moving baits I would go with a heavy spinnerbait like the SK Bottomdweller and run it along the deep weeds. If you just want to catch a lot of fish get some chart/white spinners and cast the drop edges and the flats. focus on points and steep breaks with lots of grass near by. hope this helps some. Mitch

I pretty much only use the pencil style, and recently I have converted over to tungsten weights, not because of the added feel, but for the reduced size. It is a huge advantage when fishing in rock/wood/weeds to have the smallest profile weight that you can, but still have enough weight to keep good contact and feel. Mitch

lews super duty for the reel on mine... the Daiwa lexa also works well for frogs... Mitch

The mojo rod is also very heavy, but it is a tank and can pull just about any fish out of the thickest and nastiest cover you can find, I personally like the heavy action rods for frogging and the longer the better for me, as I dont fish frogs in open water so walking it is not a concern for me. I have the 8' mojo flippin stick that i use for frogs every now and then, and it does the job very well, the wrist gets a little tired after 8 hours with that stick though... I would check out either the vendetta/veritas, or the *** 7'3" H/F... Mitch