Choporoz

I have frogs of at least four different makes. Dialed in on right rod/line, I can cast every one of them farther than I am comfortable about getting a good hook set.

7'1" MF St Croix Rage; Daiwa Tat TypeR; 10# Yo Zuri Hybrid; 50/50 RES and Lucky Craft

Maybe just me...but I'm really ok if those stories don't include pics, @Pro Logcatcher...I'll believe ya that it happened....buried treble hook stories, that is....not talking about yoga pants stories

Cabelas Tourney Trail and Pflueger combo is (was?) incredible deal. I bought mine several years ago. I've since bought a number of rod and reels that retail for triple...and I still carry the Tourney Trail and Pfueger. I don't know if they still have the same rods, but I have a 7' medium/medium fast. IIRC, its rated 1/4-3/4, but handles 1/8 surprisingly well. It isn't as light as my more expensive rods, but it is sensitive, casts well, and has enough backbone for hooksets. I think my only complaint ever was that it doesn't have a hook-keeper. For the combo cost, it was like paying an extra $10 for the reel and getting a good rod for free.

I hate drop-shotting....(I know....why did I even open this thread...lol) But, I'm curious about the mindset going into the tournament...seems a bit of a risk to try a 'new to you', 'no confidence yet' technique. Anyway...not trying to rain on your parade or thirst for knowledge...just that if it were me, I'd be spending time making sure my higher confidence stuff is gtg. Additionally....I am not sure I could fish a drop shot from the back very well; just seems like one of the more challenging presentations when you don't control the tm

I like the plastic prop, too. I have never gotten the hang of tuning metal props....drives me nuts

Might be redundant to get five of them in the same color...lol...but don't tell the monkey I said so

Sorry...I missed this...probably too late, also. @VAHunteris correct...except the clear water part. The weeds have died back and left a lot of particulate....water is pretty dirty right now. I didn't know they held tournaments on there. I know they still do them on Jones, but Penniman is pretty small for more than a few boats competing. (So is Jones, for that matter.) I haven't fished a tourny there, but went down for one a few months ago that was called due to weather. Without live wells, I've been curious how they do them...and if the fish come out of it in good shape.

This works. Learn it...I speak from experience. My wife still fishes with me...said she barely felt it coming out

I, too, have had my problems with SOME of them. I ask that you please take a deep breath. There are some very considerate coaches out there, too. I don't want them painting all fishermen with a broad brush. The fact is, we're going to have to coexist on there. I don't know much about the history (or politics, even), but I suspect that if it becomes us vs them, we're going to get crushed. Many of these crews are part of or affiliated with schools, and I'd bet that when push comes to shove, we're going to get the short end. I'm not trying to 'take their side' in any sense....but I can tell you that they aren't going away and despite some bad coaches, we're going to have to find a way to share the water. I try to call out what I see as bad behavior, but I also go out of my way to thank the ones that are thoughtful, communicative and/or respectful.

I was out Saturday, also, but not on the Rez. Took the yak across the river and fished Mattowoman out of Slavens. A bit slow there, also. One nice fatty, though. I did get some huge hits on chatterbait, but couldn't hook up. Once I finally did, I realized why...I fought a beast for a couple minutes, but it came off. Bait and line came back slimed....bad. I'd never had cats hit chatterbaits before.

Nice. I was out there Friday and again Sunday. I had similar results...for both days, combined Sticking a 5er on a jig in thick wood yesterday made it all worthwhile, though.

Good question...everyone's answer will be different. For guys like @cgolf, it might only take 30 years....for fogs like me, probably longer. I gotta admit that I still look admiringly at a car...see its a Hyundai (or a Kia) and turn my nose in the air....not real proud of it, but old dogs and all....

sorry....but, it depends. I don't throw a lot of crankbaits, but I'll sheepishly admit that I use four different rods. You are unlikely to find a rod that you'd be just as happy throwing Manns Baby 1-Minus and a KVD 6XD. You may not even want/need a specific crankbait rod. I have one and I find that most of my cranking is done on different rods. What crankbaits do you throw/want to throw? And what rods do you use now? ...and welcome to the neighborhood

you can be certain...it is a problem

I know nothing of FG knot, but I do use Alberto on braid from 12# to 60#, with copoly leaders....and micro guides. However, I don't ever use leaders bigger than 15# on 50+ braid...and 6 to 12# test on smaller braids. I don't know what copoly you're using, but I use Yo-Zuri and I am extremely careful with 15# and wouldn't likely use 20#. Aside from the diameter difference, which might be an issue, I just feel that the force needed to tighten down a leader knot would probably kink 20#, and the line becomes pretty brittle when there's a kink.

Yes, it came in a triangular thinish cardboard box. Was going to put on the Tatula from the rod it is 'replacing', but I impulse-bought a Quantum Smoke on sale from Cabela's today, so when that arrives, it is going on the new rod. I have one Smoke already and absolutely love it.

Because even though I live surrounded by five of the six 'richest' counties in the country, there's no planet I've ever imagined on which that house is worth a third of that ....to me. I guess, though...maybe I should rethink...I mean it does have a vegetable sink and a remote control awning, after all

Opened that link and only saw the pic...thought, "nice enough...not really my style, but nice"...then scrolled back and noticed asking $....choked on my Sprite....still choking...figured, 'well, maybe there's an entire bass lake on the lot...or at least a few thousand feet of waterfront'....ha!..from the drone pic, it doesn't look like there's less than a few feet in any direction before you hit another house. Sorry if anyone offended, but I'm just in a bit of a daze right now

Got mine yesterday. Thanks, @IndianaOutdoors. Box looked like it had been packed by a six year old and smacked around the playground for a couple days, but rod seems perfect despite the box. Same great handle as my other....great balance and feel. This might supplant my other ETSM as my favorite rod.

Great looking boat. What was your cost..out the door with your upgrades?

No question, @WRB. Tom, I very much value your input here. My comment about senkos was typed with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek....except the trigging part...I do still do that at times

Yep. Agree 100%. And yet.....last weekend I STILL set the hook on at least five different branches. Some days I swear that bass pick up my jig; give it a slight tug and then stick the point in a stump while they back up and laugh their tails off

Before I came upon BR and learned about all the stuff I was doing 'wrong', I fished a Senko t-rigged with bullet weights for years. I don't think I've caught more fish per senko-fishing-hour since I learned that was verboten. Don't tell anyone, but sometimes I still do.

Thanks @1201vilbig. That $5 Plopper just cost me $150. Quantum Smoke baitcast reel, tungsten, Raps...candy store