ChrisD46

WM has very strict buying procedures now - as Adamseye said: " if it doesn't sell quickly then they don't stock it " . DSG has buying decisions made six states away - they don't care about local buying habits or needs for the fishing dept .

In an ICAST interview Ike said the back of the Bottom Hopper will float up ... Not a deal breaker for me either way as a Zoom Finesse / Trick worm will work probably just as well . I'm just looking for a new worm (Bottom Hopper) to try - they have a few nice colors as well , any fav colors while on the topic ?

I see the Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper Worm (designed by Larry Nixon) comes in 4.5" & 6.25" sizes ... In your experience - what size is best for shakeyhead ? ... I like the fact this worm floats , it is very soft and should have a TON of action ! ...Thanks in advance for replies !

I'm thinking now - what ever Aaron Martens is using to connect braid to FC leader is what I will use !! Last I researched - A Mart was using a double uni ...

MickD : Thanks ! ...I researched the FG Knot as the salt water crowd is high on it ... The one turn off to date is the research I have found indicates the FC knot has to have constant tension on it while being tied which makes me think I need a third hand ! ** I need to find that FG knot video which does not require constant tension while being tied - that's a deal changer !

Between the Alberto or Double Uni knot - which have you had the best success rate for a braid to FC leader connection knot ? ... I just started using a braid to FC leader connection and can tie both knots about the same . I would like to standardize on one though so which do you find better for the following : - Ease of going through rod guides ? - Strength ? - Long Lasting ? - Shock resistance ? Thanks in advance for replies !

Like little Al sez about the bait monkey in the: "Godfather" movie : "I try to leave ... and then they suck me right back in again " !! There is no escaping the bait monkey - it's also like the "BORG" referance from "Star Trek" : ... "Resistance is futile" !!

Wildcard Sleeper Baitcast Reel : AS H2O Mettle 6:3:1 <$60 and often on sale for <$50 .

I should mention I only fish a drop shot shallow horizontally - mainly a : "lift , shake & drag" style of fishing a drop shot ... Does anyone fish a drop shot with braid shallow in this fashion with success ?

Has your catch rate ratio changed any using braid + FC leader versus straight FC ?

Any line handling issues such as : digging in , wind knots , break offs or other issues using small diameter #10lb. braid ?

Thanks for the replies ... I do have a elgible drop shot spinning outfit with no line on the reel (except half a spool of mono) . I'll experiment with some #10lb. ~ #15lb. PP braid as a top coat + FC leader and join it all with either a Double Uni knot or an Alberto knot ...If that becomes an issue getting a good knot then I will try the smallest Spro or P-Line barrel swivel I can find (hope that doesn't interefer with sensitivity too much !)

For those of you who successfully used #6lb. ~ 8#lb. test and a quality FC line (i.e. InvizX or Sniper FC) for drop shot tactics - how many of you have switched 100% to a braid mainline and a FC leader for drop shot ? Have any of you switched back to FC from braid for drop shot usage ? Please explain your experiences in terms of technique , feel , manageability or any other differences you have noted (good or bad ) , etc. between Braid and FC for drop shot usage ... Thanks in advance ! P.S. I have to say , drop shot fishing using #6lb. InvizX FC or #7lb. Sniper FC with VMC Spinshot Dropshot hooks and Quick Drop drop shot weights on a 2500 size spinning reel is posing little to no issues . I keep wanting to make the jump to braid as a main line for drop shot - but admittedly my above FC combo for drop shot is working pretty well as it is

Bluebasser86 : Good tip on the Harbor Freight ! Yes , I have a location near me . My daughter became interested in this thread and by looking at Fukae's jighead painted with finger nail polish - she I.D'd the color as a : true blood , red metallic or red shimmer color . She has a few of each to choose from and they are close to what Fukae used . Since we are only talking about 1/16th oz. jigheads smaller than a finger nail - I will experiment and see how it goes ... I'd just as soon NOT become an expert in I.D'ing various shades of finger nail polish if I can help it

Daiwa Exceller is worth looking at if you don't like the President ... The Okuma Stratus V in a 25 series could very well be a sleeper reel - sure would look nice on that new rod you just bought !

Awesome T9 - great detail !! By chance today at lunch I talked to an old timer who believes a touch of red (as in red nail polish on a 1/32nd or 1/16th oz. jig head) could signify flared gills - which is either a defensive posture or a sign of being wounded which could increase your chances of getting bit . I will experiment by trying to find Shin's red pearl and a hot red nail polish at my local WM . I also use CS Pro-Tec Powder Paints for jig heads and I observed they have a few different reds to offer as well . I already use their chartreuse , black , green pumpkin and white powder paints with good success .

I believe BPS makes a 3" stick bait ...I have had good success with the 4" and 5" versions .

I have a promo size spool of #6lb. InvizX which I want to try - hopefully below methods will help : - Use mono backing with about 60 yrds. of FC top coat . - Under fill reel spool more so than when using mono or braid. - Use a spooling station to prevent twist - Use KVD L&L Conditioner - Close bail by hand manually after casting

Further research indicates there are two (2) colors of red which are most prominent on a jig head : - Blood Red - Hot Red Not sure which color red Fukae used - any thoughts there (T9 ?)

Sniper or InvizX in #6lb. ~ #8lb. Once my current inventory is finished I might just go with Sniper in #7lb. and really learn touse it well for spinning applications for bass versus using two lines such as #6lb. and #8lb.

^^This^^ ...Major suppliers (Shimano , Abu Garcia , etc.) have offerings for drop shot / Ned Rig as well as shakyhead / weightless worm applications . As cbass12 indicated - it's a little much to expect a rod to do all things you mentioned and do them well.

Thanks T-9 !! That certainly sheds light on the subject - the Fukae secret exposed (lol) ! While researching the topic I came across one of your locals (Winkie Doodles) who does some pretty nifty paint jobs to his finesse jigheads using nail polish . Good comments on ElaZtech material not taking dye very well - that only leaves the jighead for adding any additional color .

Supposedly , InvizX and Sniper in the #6lb. to #8lb. range are designed to be good on a 2500 size (6930) spinning reel ...Hopefully someone has experiences to share .

Thanks for the replies - I'm trying out a new MidWest Finesse rig by VMC called the "WingDing" in 1/16th oz. #4 hook which comes in a number of colors (with all red being one of them) ... If no overwhelming evidence to support why red would be a must have jighead color for Ned Rig / MidWest Finesse tactics then I will treat it like any other non - green pumpkin jighead color

I'm thinking of trying either InvizX or Sniper 6lb. ~ 8lb. FC line on a Pflueger Presedent #6930 spinning reel ... Anybody use similar size FC line on a #6930 size spinning reel for bass with good performance and no line problems ?