ChrisD46

*I assume most of you are using a standard dark green braid line color for Frogging / flipping ?

Thanks for the replies , since braid lasts awhile I'll look at a little higher quality braid (such as Seaguar Smackdown) otherwise good to know brands like PP , Tuff Line , etc. are being used .

I just got a new Dobyns Sierra 735 mated to a new Daiwa Fuego CT 8:1 reel that I plan to use for frogging and flipping (VMC Tokyo Rig) . What brand braid , pound test and color do you recommend for the above set up / applications ? I'm thinking either #50 lb. or #65 lb. , either in 4 strand or 8 strand and most likely green in color . I am lead to believe that 4 strand braid (although noisier coming through rod guides) is preferred for slicing through weeds better and is tougher than 8 strand braid - but I could be wrong ... Your thoughts ?

*I can understand if a seller has just started his business with e-bay , hasn't developed a customer base , etc. yet . You can ask questions and get a feel of how responsive the guy is ? As A-Jay said , you are also protected by Pay Pal .

+1 ... A quality spinning rod in that 6'8" ~ 7' ML / F range able to handle a 1/32nd oz. up to a 3/32nd oz. Midwest finesse style jig head weight , with a #4 to #1 size hook with a standard TRD would represent the true Ned Rig weight range (with 1/15th oz. 1/16th oz. representing 95% of the Ned Rig jig head weights used). Best line would be #10 braid mainline with 5' of #8 lb. FC leader using an Alberto knot to join the two lines ... ... *When you get heavier than 1/8th oz. ~ 1/10th oz. jig head weight and larger than a #1 size hook -I'm sorry , you have now entered : "Jig Worm" territory and left the Ned Rig behind ... The Ned Rig is predominantly a "no feel" technique where as a jig worm has a definite feel of the bottom contour and much faster fall rate using jig head weights above 1/8th oz. and hook sizes larger than a #1 hook size.

* Mike couldn't be better to work with - he made some incredible color swim jigs for me a while back !

*If you have not tried the VMC "Drop Dead" weighted EWG hook technique - then you should be ! Designed for a stick worm and helps create a more lively action on the fall - works great with stick worms having less inherent action than a Senko : https://www.rapala.com/vmc/hooks/ddw-drop-dead-weighted/DDW+Drop+Dead+Weighted.html?cgid=vmc-hooks Start with a 4/0 size in 1/16th oz. & 3/32nd oz. - then go up or down in hook size as required . TW and other on-line Bass stores sell them ... You can't go wrong : Cast out , let stick worm with drop dead hook fall on a slack line , once it hits bottom let it sit for 20 ~ 30 seconds , then lift and twitch slightly - then let it fall and dead stick again for 20 ~ 30 seconds ... If no bite - then reel in , cast & repeat . You can also google "VMC drop dead stick worm technique" to learn more (Davey Hit I believe has a video on this technique) .

* Leave them in the original package then place in a box - problem solved !

*Might be better to start with 1/2 oz. size and don't over look the 1/4 oz. size either .

On the Academy web site yesterday I saw : 1) P-Line CXX #8 lb 600 yrd. spool reg. $8.99 on clearance for $3.48 2) Berkley Trilene FC #6lb. 200 yrd. spool reg. $18.99 on clearance for $3.98 * I had to fight for both but finally the customer service rep stepped in for the cashier and found them on the web page I noted ... I will use both for finesse rig leader material .

+1 ... Best I ever used , handy and better than scissors !!

+1 ... Buy her a nice combo she will enjoy !! ...Makes any future tackle purchase you may be eyeing for yourself A LOT easier to acquire !!

So . even storing Z-Man soft plastics alone in a Plano hard plastic tackle box is a problem ?

Adding narrow body cranks to the list ...

Are you referring to the fall rate and action of the Ocho or the Zero (it's not clear) ?

*I usually drop down a size or two on the willow blade - too many stock underspins come with either too large of a willow leaf blade OR the design does not offer enough clearance for the blade to turn freely .

One of the keys to a good underspin is to have enough clearance between the blade and the soft plastic so the blade is not impeded and turns freely.

"Your going to need a bigger boat" ...

*Please consider getting your Ned Rig jig heads from Siebert Outdoors (Mike is a sponsor) : The Morel jig head (Siebert's Ned mushroom jig head ) comes in colors you can't get any where else plus he uses quality name brand hooks in what I consider the correct sizes (#1/0 , #1 and #2) along with a quality powder coated jig head ... Here is a breakdown on the three (3) Morel Jig Heads Siebert Outdoors offers : *Morel XL : Uses a Owner 5313 Size #1/0 Hook ; ideal for the Big TRD or the Roboworm Ned Worm 4". *Morel : Uses a Owner 5313 Size #1 Hook ; ideal for the standard TRD or the Roboworm Ned Worm 3" *Morel Mini : Uses a Owner 5318 Size #2 Hook ; ideal for the standard TRD or the Roboworm Ned Worm 3" *Beech : Uses a Eagle Claw "Lil' Nasty #2 hook : ideal for the standard TRD or the Roboworm Ned Worm 3" Comments / Notes : -There are a variety of weights offered in the Morel & Beech - I primarily use the 1/16th oz. and 3/32nd oz. weights. -The standard Morel offers a more robust #1 size hook where you need to put more pressure on a bass to turn it fast. - The "Morel Mini" with the standard Owner #2 size hook in 1/16th oz. is a great starting point . - Don't over look the "Beech" series with the "Lil' Nasty" #2 hook , 1/16th oz. preferred by many Mid - West Ned guys . - You may need to contact Mike regarding the "Beech" series availability (per order basis) ; well worth it though ! - Black & Green Pumpkin are great starting colors for the Morel & Beech jig heads. - After the spawn , try your favorite Morel jig head size in red color ... Shin Fukae (Bass Elite Tour) endorses highly . - All Morel jig heads work with all TRD baits (stick bait , craws , shads , leeches , etc.) - A dot of super glue gel on the back of the jig head will secure your soft plastic all day long (or until you lose it) . Lastly , attention to detail with consistent powder coated jig heads with even paint coverage and no paint in the hook eyes for all the Morel and Beech jig heads I have ever ordered from Siebert Outdoors ... Great value jig head from a company that focuses on it's customers - give the Morel & Beech Ned Rig jig heads a try , I'm sure your will be just as pleased as I have been !

*Heck Yeah !! ... Nice job - that new rod , reel & bass will stay in your nightly dreams for a while !!

Based on articles , reviews , experience , etc. the one underspin that is mentioned at the top most often is the : "Coolbaits" brand underspin (chartreuse Shad / gold blade ; Silver Shad / silver blade) probably in the 1/4oz. ~ 3/8th oz. range as you will be mostly be slow rolling it along the bottom . I would match it up with a Keitech Swing Fat Impact in 3.3" or 3.8" (Silver Flash Minnow color) or other color of your choosing ... In the number two spot would be the Blade Runner Spintrix in the shad or pearl white color head and again in that 3/8th oz. range to start . If you fish deeper water (greater than say 12') then you would want to consider moving up in weight to 1/2 oz. or more . Lastly , there are other paddle tail swim baits that will work IF the paddle action is active and consistent at slow retrieve speeds . For a straight tail option (often preferred in cold water due to less action) try a Zoom Fluke or a Super Fluke Jr. in Pearl White or Shad colors . That's about all I got to suggest - good luck !

I think most people would be concerned with bringing a knot through the guides as well as spooling a knot ... An Alberto knot is pretty small though .

*I understand braid mainline + FC leader . My questions on FC mainline with a drop shot are due to an article I read by KVD for Michiana bass fishermen : While KVD uses a braid + FC leader drop shot set up - he discusses the attributes of using straight FC main line for drop shot in certain situations where he likes it better (less line bow with FC main line versus braid which means better feel and bite detection) ... KVD goes on to state that: "if you are going to use a braid mainline for drop shot - consider going from a 6' FC leader to a 18' FC leader (yes, a 3X longer FC leader which means winding the FC leader onto your spinning reel ) ... Your thoughts on this ?

I can find #6 lb. InvizX locally - I figure worth trying as a mainline (50 ~ 60 yrds.) for drop shot (even Ned rig) and if I don't like it I can always use as leader material for my other braid + FC leader spinning set up .

*You can save money by using a mono backing - all you need is about 60 yards of FC line on top (not a whole reel full) .