iceintheveins

You only need about 20 yards of backing.

I use mono for everything except for frogs and heavy cover applications (50 pound power pro), and I use power pro for hard jerkbaits too.

Spinning tackle is best for lighter line, lighter lures and when you need longer casts. I use casting gear for any line over 12 pound test or for braid with a diameter greater than 12 pound. Casting is best for lures 3/8 of an ounce of heavier but if you set the breaks and spool tension just right you can throw lures down to 1/4 ounce quite well.

x2 on them being leaky. I found that out the hard way when one of them rolled over on its side in the back seat of my truck driving home. Truck smelled like that juice for 2 weeks. I had it leak all over my tackle once and I had to wash it all one by one. At least nothing was ruined though.

They work but I don't think they work better than plastics. The gulp alive tubs are really leaky as well.

They are great wacky rigged or on a split shot rig too.

The other day I tried rigging a 6" creme scoundrel weightless and noticed it has AMAZING action, like a zoom trick worm on steroids. Caught three bass in 10 minutes in an area where floating worms work really well.

I will be trying some mega strike. Does it melt and get really runny in hot temperatures?

I put 110 yards of 50/10 power pro on mine for froggin'.

Go with the Pro Qualifier. Just got one and they are sweet and seldom backlash if you set it right.

The spool tension knob is the most important thing to get familiar with. You don't want to throw too hard or too soft with a baitcaster, and always remember to adjust the force you throw with when you change lure weights and to adjust the spool tension.

I agree, use braid for frogs. The CXX is great for flippin', pitchin', and heavy cover presentations where long casts aren't required. Put some KVD line and lure on it to help deal with the memory it has and it is one of the best lines out there.

Send some skinny dippers up this way, not even hot gals on the water.

Try a bomber long A.

They are good low cost spinning reels and you will get a couple years of good performance.

I always carry a crochet hook when using braid because it is harder to untangle than mono. I don't have any more backlashes with it than with mono though.

I use smelly jelly sticky liquid in craw or bass feast. The jelly stays on better but you have to keep it in a cooler or it will melt and ruin.

Jitterbugs and daredevles

They work for sure, even if craws aren't that abundant. Every bass lake in my area (western colorado) has craws in it and most of them have lots of them.

My favorite is Bass Pro's XPS rattle shad, followed closely by Cotton Cordell Super Spots. Rat L traps are good, but rattlin' rapalas suck IMO. I haven't tried the more expensive ones yet.

It's a good knot and great for cranks/jerkbaits. Sometimes I've actually had the knot come clear out of the split ring on X - Raps though. That is constantly a concern.

Anybody here use the teeny torpedo? At 1/16 ounce you pretty much need 6 pound mono and medium light spinning tackle to throw it though.

Most strikes on poppers come when you pause, right after it bloops, or right when you blip it again after a pause. Sometimes though dog walking with a popper gets me more strikes than stop and go.

They are overlooked and can be VERY effective at times.

I would tip those jigs with a 2" double curly tail, or the baby paka chunk.