ChrisD46

I'm interested in the best FC finesse main line (#6 lb. ~ #7 lb.) that handles well on a 2500 series spinning reel for drop shot : For those that have tried the above two FC lines as a drop shot main line (i.e. straight FC ) - what are your experiences ? ... Do you notice enough difference in say Sunline Sniper #7 lb. FC line or Seaguar InvizX #6 lb. FC used as a main line ? ... My plan is to load a 2500 series spinning reel about 2/3rds of the way with mono backing and then a top shot of straight FC main line for drop shot applications . Thanks in advance !

*I appreciate the quick replies !

I would write Gary (at his website) and ask about his cranking set up for square bills and lipless cranks ... FC line has less stretch than mono and braid + FC leader has less stretch yet . *Individual preference however a bit of give , parabolic rod bend , etc. in a square bill and lipless (open water) can be a good thing with treble hooks . For deep diving cranks or lipless cranks ripping out of grass then a stiffer , more heavy duty rod would be in order . I believe you need two cranking rods : One M (6'8" ~ 7') for squarebills and lipless cranks in open water and one in MH action (7' ~ 7'6") for lipless cranks ripping out of grass and deep diving cranks .

What are a few popular flat sided square bill crank brands you have had success with ?

Thanks for the replies - since braid lasts fairly long I will look into the Smackdown 10 lb. ~ 15 lb.

Appreciate the replies ! ... There certainly appears to be a time and place for both !

I'm trying to better understand when you would choose a flat sided crank bait versus a lipless crank bait in cold water ? ... I understand why the flat sided crank bait excels over a round bodied crank bait in cold water - but not so much in understanding the nuances between the flat side and lipless crank baits as to when you would reach for one or the other ? ... Thanks in advance for replies .

*Good suggestions - I would also consider a 4" paddle tail swim bait (shad color) on a 1/4 oz. jig head and what about a 1/2 oz. football jig for bottom dragging + craw looking trailer ( GP color ) ?

*Here is what Gary says himself about the 702sf & the 703sf : For open hook presentation (i.e. Ned Rig , drop shot , etc.) go with the 702sf. For hook points buried into soft plastic (i.e. shakey head , T-Rig , Fluke , etc.) go with the 703sf. I believe this is a good rule of thumb (along with open water or cover scenario considerations).

*I bought the Sierra's on sale at TW for the same price as the Fury's basically ... I would not hesitate to buy a Fury !

I have recently bought three Dobyns rods : *Sierra 703sf *Sierra 734c *Sierra 735c The above rods cover about 15 different baits and tactics for bass ... Waiting to be bought next will be a Sierra 702sf and a Sierra 766 FLIP... I concur with all the positive comments for Dobyns in this post.

After more research , it appears the main trait for bottom dwelling applications is that the SX1braid is more neutral (i.e. doesn't float or sink) which may have some benefit . I would think PP #10lb. ~ #15 lb. braid would sink just fine for a drop shot , shakey head , etc. without putting a bow in your line .

I notice a number of Pro's use the Sunline SX1 Braid #12 lb. on a spinning reel with a leader for drop shot , shakey head , etc. *Is there any advantage to this Sunline SX1 braid for spinning reel applications mentioned above versus say Power Pro #10 lb. or #15lb. used as a mainline with a leader on a spinning reel ?

*The black (Loon) color 190 works well for great white sharks looking for a seal meal ! The 190 size strikes me as being used on the Big O , Lake Toho , etc. (Florida strain bass) or out at Clear Lake , CA Delta (California) . I like the 110 size most often for all other bass (although there are those who prefer the 130 size even on spotted bass - go figure ) .

*Used the drop shot / finesse hooks - work well and priced well !

*in the winter a technique to try is let the trap sink to the bottom - then yo-yo off the bottom , retrieve a foot or so then repeat . Often bass tend to relate to the bottom in cold water months .

Worms , Craws & Creatures : Green Pumpkin , Watermelon Red , Watermelon Candy , Junebug , Black & Blue , Plum Shad & Bluegill Imitators : Pearl White , Shad , Green Pumpkin , Black & Blue

*That's a short shank ball head jig - who makes it ?

Here are two of my "poor man's cranking rods : 1) Square Bills : Berkley Lightening Shock 6'6" M casting rod 2) Lipless Cranks : Berkeley Lightening Shock 7' MH casting rod The above are both under $50 each and made softer with a combination of graphite / glass to absorb the shock of using braid on hook sets. However I use them with a low stretch co-poly line instead (for cranking) and they work fine until I can decide what I would like to upgrade to !

Good line replies here (including Line & Lure and KVD line conditioner) . I would also add P-Line CXX #8 lb. ~ 10# lb. with a line conditioner ... Lately , I have jumped on the Maxima Ultra Green line band wagon as besides being strong with low stretch , good knots , lower memory , etc. the stuff seems to disappear in the water (due to the way it reacts to light) plus it's almost the exact same color as the reservoirs here in North Georgia . The only downside is it's not available locally so online via TW is a must .

The Yamamoto Senko Green Pumpkin / Watermelon black flake laminate color (if I had to choose only one) . Otherwise the straight Green Pumpkin with black flake , Watermelon with Red flake , Black with Blue flake and for when bass are really focused on shad - Pearl Blue with Silver flake are staples and all I need to cover most all conditions . *Do I have other colors ? ...Yes ! I have other solid colors (such as Junebug) and a couple other laminate colors Yamamoto makes which I will use from time to time (just to mix it up) .

*What ever Ish Monroe is using today !! ... All kidding aside , I like the Booyah Pad Crashers and Pop'n Pad Crashers - they are fairly durable and soft enough to collapse down on a bite to get a good hook set (decent hook quality too) . Plus I'm a fan of the brown color Jason Christie got introduced - That's an all - around confidence color frog for me now ... Until I find the Booyah frogs are have a weakness - I'm better off learning how to use a frog more effectively instead of searching for other frog brands .

*Nice weedless approach !

*Adding Yo-Zuri Hybrid ... All above are good as well ! *Gamma is one I would like to try ... Maxima Ultra Green is a good co-poly as well and is almost invisible under water .

*For the C-Rig and the 1 oz. jig head + paddle Tail swim bait with FC , I'd be looking at #15 lb. ~ #17 lb. Seaguar AbrazX or InvizX FC line ... For the C-Rig , the FC is fine for a main line and #12 lb. Big Game Mono for the leader (floats the bait up a little for more action) . The above said , I'd consider saving $$ and go with a good co-poly line for those two applications (Yo-Zuri Hybrid in #15 lb. or P-Line CXX #15 lb. )