Choporoz

+1 As to OP q: "is....strong enough..?" I have 12# YZ on my lipless/med cranking rod: didn't have to respool once last year...a heavy fishing year....that 12# line landed a 40# flathead, a foulhooked 18# carp, many 7-12# flatheads.....not to mention an awful lot of bass. That line simply does not break. Now, as to using it for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits....I've gone to mostly braid for those....the YZ will stretch enough to make me blame the line for missed fish on moving single hooks But, if you've got relatively fast rod, it does work pretty well for those, too.

Yep...and same situation, I would do it the same way. I was traveling with few rods and limited resources. Fortunately, I carry a tip repair kit in a tackle box. I tried to heat with a lighter and pull old tip off, but that went poorly. So, I cleanly snipped off the tip, maybe a 1/2 inch max, put a new one on and was using it 15 minutes after I busted the insert out. I will say that the action has not suffered such that I can tell at all. Originally, a 7' MH, it is now a 6'11.5" MH and acts as my primary spinnerbait rod. At $75, or whatever they're going for nowadays, I would heartily recommend them.

I abused my Veritas for two years before I could pop an insert. I was jabbing at a branch that had taken a lure hostage...with the tip of my Veritas...Branch won. I snipped off the tip and put a new eye....The rod remains a very solid performer....I would not hesitate to recommend it...Or to buy another.

maybe...but I'm with Scott....it takes a LOT of restraint for me to keep from posting as he did....too often, I don't have enough to prevent it.... It is hard not to point out inanity in a forum you care about...and doesn't seem like too much to ask to tweak a thread just a little to make it more informative or productive......and, BTW....Get off of my lawn

Thanks. Didn't know that. I knew multiple hook A-rigs weren't allowed, but didn't know that 'dummy baits' weren't ok.

Just curious...what makes it 'prohibited'?

Aside.....seems that 4000 series reels of all sort of makes have been on sale across the internet the past 3-4 weeks. Far too big for anything I need, however. 3000 is pretty much tops for my bass fishing.

So much talk about Daiwa Ballistic lately...until then I didn't know I needed one. But, turns out that they're only $120 at Cabelas right now with free shipping. Sure enough. I needed one...or two.

In case the horse aint dead....I approach shaky and swinging very differently, also. Unlike @smalljaw67, however, I would have suggested that I fish the swinging jig more like I fish a jig (than a crank.) 9/10 times, I have a Rage Tail on there (Structure Bug, Menace or Cut-R.) Shaky head, to me, is much finesse-y-er....more slow drag and wiggle....less flip and hop

Only @Bluebasser86's....I've tried half a dozen others....no reason to revisit any of them. 80% of the time, I use Rage Tail Structure Bug...and usually, its white (thank you, @roadwarrior) Remaining 20% is a mix of cane thumpers or flukes....I did get a couple packs of incrediclaws over the winter....I think it was Roland Martin that suggested....but I'd listen to @A-Jay, too

Never. And if it turns out that I'm listening to yours...from another boat....I'm considering rigging up an ounce of lead....

Not I. I have 3 Tatula's and love them.

Thanks, @Fishingmickey. Good info. Do you know if your tourny organization keeps data on boat type/toury success? It would be interesting to seem some detailed data to compare. Certainly, the prep, pre-fishing, skill set, experience, etc...all come into play. But, after a couple/few seasons, I'd think the data would start to 'normalize'. I do take minor issue with your point about weight with regards to trailer, etc. I tend to think that mode of transport required is inmaterial to the questions of 'fairness' at hand.

Not addressing the question, per se....but another helpful hook link: http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Content/downloads/sizing_chart.pdf Doesn't include wide gaps, but when printed is a very handy size chart....or it would be if every hook mfr used standard sizes anyway, I keep a printed copy of this around all the time...not just for hooks

I fish from a kayak. But I don't compete, so I haven't really had a dog in this fight yet. (I also don't have pedals, so don't discount my bias ) But, I do feel pretty strongly that pedals offer an unfair advantage and probably should have separate category. And, I feel much stronger even about trolling motors. The reason you stated is huge...more than just 'nice'. Continuing to present/control your lure while 'adjusting' is not a small difference. Being able to fish a stretch of shoreline while moving 50 yards to next likely laydown is also huge. I don't have data, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that a pedal fisherman gets 50% (maybe more) actual (quality?) fishing time than the paddle guy.

I lost a LC Pointer last weekend. It was kind of devastating......By 10AM Monday morning, I'd ordered no less than 5 jerkbaits.....to replace it....I need help...but at least I feel better

I guess that makes me continue to question the practicality...one of my problems with using hybrid as a leader is how brittle it gets when 'creased' (or near creased.) It works well as a leader, BUT I have to be careful, particularly when using thinner diameter braids - because the leader knot can become a weak point -- sounds like your leader material might have a similar concern.

Interesting. I have seen spools specifically labeled 'leader', but I assumed that it was either a gimmick, or superfluous. Seemed to me that fluoro or hybrid would suffice just fine for my leaders....and they have. Are you suggesting that xyz 20# fluorocarbon leader is somehow different than xyx 20# fluorocarbon line?

I'm with you, @NHBull. I never understood why we, as a community, put up with $10 to $15 lures that need hooks changed and sometimes won't run true out of the box.

Thanks for the report! Wife and I had a tremendous jerkbait day near Williamsburg on Fri. 25+, nearly all between 2 & 3 #. In the snow, even.lol Yesterday, with those bluebird skies and similar temps, we got one LMB and one crappie on the same lake....Crazy.

Spent a long weekend in the area a couple years ago and wife and I fell in love with the area. We, too, plan to move there in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future. Good luck.

I've had at least three different Shimano model spinning reels. Only the Symetre had the binding issues (I got fed up and tossed it in the trash over the winter.) The others are solid reels. I was asking myself the same question the last couple days. I saw the Sahara on sale a couple places, but only 3, 4, 5000's. I'm really looking for something in a 2000/2500 size. I love my Pflueger Presidents and will probably go with a President XT or LE

1. I REALLY like the idea of supporting your local B&M 2. You are FAR more likely to get good advice 3. There aren't many who will tell you to avoid St. Croix 4. You can match a rod and reel in person -- (Just because the big box puts a spinning reel on a spinning rod and calls it a combo doesn't mean that it'd be a good match for you.) 5. You'll still be able to go to Cabelas with your gift cards and get line, lures and all sorts of other stuff that you don't know you need yet

This sounds like a great idea....for a lot of reasons

Is there fishable water in Virginia that does NOT have catfish?