ChrisD46

Thanks for the replies - good to see the applications for the 6:3:1 (or approx. 29 IPT ) .

Thanks - Looks like the 6:3:1 is best used for constant retrieve baits / reaction bait strikes : Spinner Baits Chatter baits Crank Baits Swim Jigs Smaller Swim Baits I suppose you could also add poppers , dead sticking a Senko or slowly crawling a T-Rig worm or a jig on the bottom as well ... While using your rod to move a bait usually pushes you up in gear ratio (7:1:1 or faster) these lures are slow enough that a slower gear ratio doesn't affect you so much ... Still tends to be a case of the right tool for the job (with some over lap of course) .

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 !