ChrisD46

In this day and age - most folks seem to have made the move to 7:3:1 gear ratio (or faster !) bait cast reels ... *For those that still have slower 6:3:1 gear ratio bait cast reels in their arsenal - what applications / tactics are you still using them for ? ... Thanks in advance !

A #8 lb. FC Leader (6') to #15 lb. Braid would be just fine for finesse.

Thanks for the replies - just looking at options being short a dedicated reel for football jigs . Ideally I would use #12 lb. AbrazX FC as a main line .

+1 ... This is text book rigging for a super fluke ...

I.ve read where some guys use a glass bead (i.e. 6 or 6mm ?) in front of a toad ? I suppose this is to keep weeds or scum off the front or for some other reason ?

Do most who fish a toad feel a 7:5:1 or faster reel is pretty much mandatory ?

Curious if anyone uses a football jig with braid main line plus a FC or Co-Poly leader ? ... If so , what is your line set up ?

*The Yum Tip Toad is definitely on my short list to try ! ... Today I visited a local Academy and bought the Zoom Horny Toad (Black , White , WM Red and Bull Frog) and Owner CPS Twist Lock XXX 5/0 Hooks . At home on deck I have a Dobyns Sierra 734c. a 6:4:1 and 7:5:1 Daiwa reels (not sure which to use ?) and a full spool of dark green Power Pro #30 lb. braid ... My highland reservoirs and smaller lakes have sparse grass , eel weed , pads , etc. more of an open water deal or else I'd jump up to #50 lb. braid . ... Only thing left to do is fan cast and cover water !

*OP here : It looks like having Black , Green Pumpkin and Pearl White would cover most situations ... What dictates which color you choose ? Is it more of a silhouette against the sky than a water color type consideration ?

What is your favorite top water toad to throw and what do you like about it ? ...Also , what colors do you use , along with hook , line , rod & reel set up ? Thanks in advance - I've never thrown a toad before and would like to give it a try first by itself and then maybe try it on a buzz bait in the future .

Dobyns Fury FR735c. for $119 or the before mentioned Lew's would be good choices . The 15% off TW sale is just around the corner on Memorial Day .

*Very useful suggestions ...

InvizX : Handles better than Red Label on a spinning reel and seems to have a little more stretch ; better than Red Label as a main line on a spinning reel . Red Label : Better on a bait casting reel ; for spinning reel applications I use it for a FC leader with a braid main line in #8 lb. size . Both InvizX and Red Label have about the same knot strength (if you are careful).

+1 on the comparison to the Pure Poison and the Thunder Cricket ... So many Pro's use the Jack Hammer (who are not even sponsored ) which tells you a lot right there ! Besides quality components used with great colors - the main appeal of a Jack Hammer is the "instant start up " with no delay in action once you start the retrieve.

My favorites for T-Rigging , drop shot or shaky head below : Zoom : Trick Worm , Finesse Worm , 'Ol Monster NetBait : T-Mac , Finesse Worm Robo Worm : FAT Robo Worms ; Standard Robo Worms Bio Spawn : Plazma Tail Worm Davis Baits : Shaky Worm Z-Man: Finesse Worms

The "Godfather of Shakey Head" (Jeff Kriet) would tell you that 3/16th oz. shakey head weight is reserved for deeper water , wind or current . About as heavy as I have seen Jeff use a shakey head is generally 1/8th oz. (or less) . Dropping down to #10 lb. braid with a Seaguar or Sunline FC #8 lb. leader . There are numerous high quality shakey heads found on TW to buy - many developed by well known shakey head experts using excellent designs with good reviews which you can read and learn from .

*After trying all the specialized ways of winding mono , FC & co-poly onto a spinning reel and dealing with line twist -I went to braid main line + FC , Mono or Co-Poly leader and never looked back .

OP here : I should have stated heavier poppers used with bait casting gear - like a River2sea Bubble Popper , Storm Arashi Cover Pop , etc. not the small , light weight 1/8th oz or so finesse poppers ... For walking baits , anything from a Sexy Dawg Jr. up to larger Spooks , One Knockers and such .

I now believe it takes two different rods to throw poppers and walking baits ... What two rods do you use for throwing top water poppers and walking baits ?

*Also tickles a bass's lateral lines just right - then there is that visual , great taste and mouth feel once they commit ... A dab of Megastrike lightly rubbed in from head to tail seals the deal !

*Good information to know on the 4 powers !

I was leaning towards #15 lb. braid main line for the shakey head set up ... I may try #10 lb. for a ML Ned rig but as you stated , I fear diminishing returns on the lighter braid sizes due to wind knots increasing .

Looking to set up a shakey head Med / XF spinning rod , 2500 series Daiwa outfit with either #10 lb. or #15 lb. Power Pro braid as a mainline + Sunline Sniper #7 lb. FC leader . *Between the #10 lb. & #15 lb. braid as a main line - what would be your size choice for a shakey head application and why ? ... Thanks in advance !

Useful replies - I understand the nuances between the two a little better now ... Of course , there may be over lap so , it's best to experiment on a given day .

*It is great to hear you are having success with the 703c. for 1.5 KVD square bills but also being able to switch over to Senkos or Flukes makes the 703c. sound extra versatile !