Choporoz

What are the chances that one hook was previously straightened on a rock or branch or other light snag and you just hadn't noticed? I find it challenging to imagine straightening even light wire hooks on short fish no matter the line or the hookset.

I can see using snell knot on hook that looks like the one on that knot page (negative eye bend?). And I've considered it for punch rigs. But for most hooks with the eye in line (or 30-60 degreee), I don't see the advantage over a palomar or improved clinch.

LOL...I think you should use it to beat the Bait Monkey senseless

There was a paying advertiser to this site who bailed with a strongly worded message about how much shopping traffic he felt he was losing by all the talk of deals and suggestions to shop elsewhere. He deleted it within minutes of posting, which is almost unfortunate. It was an emotional rant, but I get it. Even the current tolerant system is a bit of an affront to those paid advertisers who are helping to keep the lights on here.

I cannot, for the life of me, think of what is wrong with the current system of 'limited tolerance' of posting of deals by non-sponsors. What is so very difficult to understand about the repeated justifications provided for NOT having a separate forum for non-sponsors???? Sorry...but huh????

No self-respectin' Southerner uses instant grits. I take pride in my grits

I have Veritas 2.0 7' MHF and love it. I've had some pretty hard jig hook sets close in on heavy fish and never once worried about breaking it. In fact I don't think I've heard that is a problem

Tough to predict what soft plastics are going to do. 40+ years of tackle box chemistry labs have taught me nothing except to not trust any plastics with anything else until I've verified it myself. Especially if you allow any heat into the equation. Just last week, I pulled two melted masses of practice plugs, skirts, plier handles and some lure that I don't recall what it looked like before.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/14623/Sea-lect-Designs-Pull-Up-Strap-Handle-Kit.html Nothing but a strap and some hardware, but I wonder if it might be worth a shot.

Neither the rod, nor reel are bad, really. Consider taking both to your local store and matching each with new rod and reel. Then you may end up with two combos you like instead of just one.

Looks a little like this guy. http://www.flaflyfish.com/small-lakes-can-offer-big-incentives/

It was something of a blur, but I'm fairly certain

I mentioned this in an earlier thread .....but my wife tied on a Cavitron buzzbait a few weeks ago and started fishing it like a spinnerbait; tossing it into laydowns and letting it drop....crank it a few times well below the surface and let it drop.....After a half-dozen casts I was about to gently point out something....when wham - she boats the big fish of the day.

On Sunday there was a boat on the Occoquan Reservoir with a 200HP roaring through between Lake Ridge and Fountainhead. I never got close enough to confront them or get their boat numbers. Who's the 'authority'? One of the counties? Game warden? Who do you call, if anyone? Bugged me a lot more than it probably should, but I'd have liked to have done something about it.

Rapala is the same as the 'loop knot' others mentioned above. It allows better freedom of movement (than a knot pulled tight against the lure) on hard baits fished with some jerks or slack.

Anyone have problems with tiny hooks? I was using a 'similar' finesse technique the other day with a jighead that had a hook that was approx size 6. Bites and hook-ups weren't a problem, but keeping them buttoned was tough. (6'6" M spinning, 8 lb copoly.)

Sounds like an incredible day. This is the part that I cannot get my head around: Wow.

I'd like it. The Bait Monkey would love it. I'd hate it. I'd be so much better off if I bought what I 'need' when I need it and ignore all sales. I'm no mod and relatively new here, but I'd bet that the mods (and the sponsors) cringe every time a member mentions D**, T*, A******, etc. They're already getting a lot of free advertising from us....all the while, the good businesses listed on the right side of this page are paying to keep the lights on here. If I were a betting man, I'd bet on 'no'.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/130634-rod-selection-the-basics/

Both are spinning rods? Are you shopping for spinning or baitcasting? Which one of those are you throwing a frog with? If I was going to limit myself to two (perish the thought), I'd have a 7 or 7+ MH/F baitcaster and a 6'6" M/F spinning. I could probably do 90 percent of what I currently do with those two.

I use only three line to lure knots: Improved clinch, Palomar, Rapala. Only two times when presentation enters into my consideration: Rapala for topwater hardbaits that don't have a split ring; and palomar for drop shot with extra line pull-thru to get hook pointed up. (I've read the snell knot/punching justifications and have considered it, but not used it.) Otherwise, its palomar for braid and improved clinch for the rest.

Watermelon, Black, Red/Black, Watermelon

As well as you could see them....I'm pretty sure they could see you even better.

Appreciate the report. Thanks! What size hooks are you using? I have yet to try a Ned Rig, but I had a very hard time this weekend finesse fishing. I was using the Jackall nose jig which was great for rate of fall, weedlessness and action. However, I lost a lot of fish after hookset. I can only guess it was because of the tiny hooks. (I've not yet found what the hook size is on these, but I'm guessing about a 6.) I'm a little gun-shy of hooks that small now.

Good day jigging. They're in the grass. Biggest was 5 1/2. Also, carp must be spawning...never seen so many HUGE carp in one day