ChrisD46
Super User
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Everything posted by ChrisD46
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*I'm saving an egg carton to keep screws and parts in order ! Very Useful !
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Good suggestions ... A trapezoidal awl for spinning / cleaning bearings , short scribe for removing handle covers , maybe 1.5mm ~2.5mm Allen wrenches , small torx bits you mentioned . A useful set of precision Philips head and flat screw drivers which increase the life of reel screws would also seem to be of interest (versus those that come from a big box store) ?
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Beyond a 10mm ~ 13mm set of box wrenches , small Philips head and flat head screw driver - what unique tools , scribes , awls , tweezers , etc. do you consider vital for reel maintenance ?
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*Moderate it is then !! ... Looking for that bend in the rod that extends to that half way point or a little beyond .
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Looking for a graphite composite or glass MH moderate action rod with a parabolic bend profile for cranks and chatterbaits in that 3/8th oz. to 5/8th oz. range $(150 or less) . Sensitivity is not a key requirement for cranks and chatterbaits - as a matter of fact with all graphite MH Fast action rods and FC line my reflexes are too fast and I end up pulling the lure away too often . What is your favorite rod that matches the above description and applications ? P.S. Not having an appropriate moderate action , parabolic rod is a big hole in my rod line up as all are graphite fast or XF actions . I've tried building in some give and reduced sensitivity by using mono instead of FC line for cranks and chatterbaits - but then you end up with a problem that your lures don't get down far enough in the water - time to get the right rod for the application .
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*The Zman Finessse Eyez , Cool Baits and the Dirty Jigs Guppy jig heads are all spot on for what I am looking for with the small 2.75" ~ 2.8" paddle tail swim baits ! *These look nice !
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What is your favorite swim bait jig head for the small Keitech FAT Swing Impact 2.8 " , Z-Man Shadz 3" , Strike King Rage Swimmer 2.75" , etc. ? I'd prefer a finesse swimbait head with eyes and a quality #1 ~ 1/0 size hook ... Thanks in advance !
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That looks like a stocked : "Bill Dance Pond" (lol !)
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*General rule of thumb is to keep the line leader out of the reel (i.e. about a 6' - 7' leader length ) ... Some Pro's with spinning set ups (with the right knot) will have a 20 yard FC leader + braid main line for drop shot or shaky head . The key with either is to keep that semi- slack line intact so you remain in contact with the lure to increase sensitivity . Lastly , at least for spinning set ups use high - viz braid (yellow / neon green color) and become a line watcher !
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*Try the 4" small dead ringer (or equivalent from BPS , etc.) as a spinner bait or bladed jig trailer .... Pearl White , Chartreuse , Green Pumpkin and Black colors will cover the bases .
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Sounds like you will be fishing lake Coeur d’Alene territory ... The 733C could work if you are fishing a braid + FC leader T-Rig set up in deeper water (over 10' ) . If fishing straight FC , co-poly or mono line in #12 lb. to #15 lb. with a T-Rig then the 734C will be better in deeper water because you will get line stretch with all but the braid rod set up , so you will need a bit more rod to get a decent hook set .
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*I believe the Daiwa Legalis is the best spinning reel for the price - I'll be switching my spinning reel needs to this series .
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*SF Trophy series for heavy mats and the SF Launch Frog for open water frogging .
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It has been said that a popper is best during Bass post spawn when the Bluegills start their spawning season . The idea that a popper can be worked on top over Bluegill beds and not move out of position very quickly is a plus for getting Bass to strike . Then there is the guy with a popper with the paint worn off of it throwing it year around on a 5'5" pistol grip bait cast rod with a round bait cast reel filled with mono throwing the popper around laydowns , docks , over grass , etc. Stay away from this kind of fella as there will be no bass left after he fishes an area !
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*I thought that knot looked peculiar ? ... This is the San Diego Jam Knot I follow : https://www.animatedknots.com/san-diego-jam-knot
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*Any FC line knot where the line crosses over itself (i.e. incorrectly tied Palomar knot) is asking for trouble as that knot to cut into itself and fail ... Best advice to know regarding FC line and knots .
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*I used to be of the belief that if you used a trailer on a buzz bait that it was a : "Toad or nothing" ... Now I see that just about any paddle tail swim bait , creature or craw in that 3.5" to 4.5" range is fair game as a buzz bait trailer.
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*Interesting how much G Man hates a toad on a buzz bait (he says he misses too many bass with a toad) . Good luck finding Z-Craw Jr. 's currently - so Rage Menace , Ultra vibe Speed Craw , RI Spicy Beaver and the like could also work .
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*When it comes to buzz baits which camp for are you in : Toads or Skirts ? Some only throw a buzz bait with a toad on the back where as others will throw a buzz bait with a skirt on until post spawn - then go to the buzz bait + toad through out the summer into the fall where they will switch back to the skirt trailer for winter and pre-spawn . What is your preference - or do you use both toads and skirts on the back of buzz baits ?
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*Good to hear the parking lot is filling ... A couple of sizeable raw materials shipments can help turn the corner at any given time .
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*I believe the Trilene knot came into existence due to the coating on Trilene line caused slippage when using the Improved Clinch knot . The extra loop and tag going through the loop helps prevent that... I've had success with smaller size Trilene but have not tried on say larger diameter #17 lb. or #20 lb. Trilene where perhaps other knots (San Diego Jam) may be better ?
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*The T-Mac is a new favorite shaky head worm as the tail is buoyant enough to rise at a approx. 45 degree angler and sway back and forth gently on the retrieve. Great colors and a great scent (pork fat / anise) means bass attack viscously and hold on tight (at least here in the South as many of our bass are raised on pork fat) . *This too is a great worm for shaky head bass - especially in Green Pumpkin and June Bug .
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*Living in Georgia I was able to ask reputable sources what is the current status of Zoom and both commercial sources who buy from Zoom shared the same news update : The original owner of Zoom passed away and the son is now running the company (for better or for worse) . For a number of reasons (COVID , economy , etc.) Zoom has lost a "substantial number" of it's work force (while I know the number - out of respect I'll simply say it's over 50%) . Additionally , like for other soft plastic & lure companies - obtaining raw materials has been a real challenge for Zoom (some fare better at developing new sources for raw materials than others currently) ... So , if you combine a greatly reduced work force and challenges in obtaining raw materials one can begin to understand Zoom's current business status . While there is always a "deal you can't refuse" out there waiting for an owner (i.e. Zoom) - this is not on the front burner as an active conversation currently . Vaccinations are up , COVID is in decline , unemployment benefits run out soon in Georgia , economic conditions will improve and raw materials will start flowing again globally so that Zoom's soft plastic production in Georgia can begin to crank back up once more to pre-COVID levels . Conversely , if in 6 ~ 12 months we do not see an improved Zoom presence back in the bass fishing market - then one would have to consider there are other reasons for Zoom's struggles (i.e. debt , difficulty securing funding , how the son is running the company vs. the founding father ran the company , etc.) Of interest to note : A competitor to Zoom (NetBait) an American BaitWorks company located just across the border in Alabama is doing quite well for itself ... NetBait is the maker of the T-Mac , C-Mac , Finesse worms , Paca Craws , Paca Chunks , Little Spanky , etc. and is developing a nice following for their soft plastics (just as YUM has done as noted by Bluebasser 86 and others here) . To end - just a courtesy public service announcement for bass fans here ... We all want to see our favorite bass fishing lure & equipment suppliers bounce back from the COVID / economic challenges we have all faced over the last 16 months ... Here's wishing Zoom a healthy return to the bass fishing market position they once held pre- COVID !
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+1 ... The T-Mac also has a better non - pointed nose for rigging than the Trick Worm and the tail is more buoyant as stated .
