Chris at Tech

OK, what's the secret to pitching a 1/4 oz jig ~25 feet? I was trying to do it this weekend and just couldn't get any distance whatsoever. For flipping, do you significantly reduce spool tension more so than you would with normal casting? Perhaps it was just a case of my rod not loading enough, but I was attempting to pitch a 1/4 oz T-rig using a Revo STX and Kistler MG 69APC.

You better save some for me for this Saturday!

So I'm not clear. Did the line actually break, or did the knot slip out?

I think it kinda depends on the size/depth of the waters you fish. The lakes I fish are all relatively small and I mostly fish shallow (1/8 oz shakey heads, 1/8 - 1/4 oz dropshotting). So with that said, I use a St Croix AS69MLXF rod with a Daiwa Tierra 2000. Bigger/deeper presentation may make stepping up to a M action rod more likely.

I've been thinking about this application as well, specifically throwing a Bluegill pattern Aruku Shad onto bass beds in cover. I purchased some weedless mustad hooks with the intention of replacing the factory trebles with these single hooks to reduce snagging. Anyone do anything similar?

Some people like to burn buzzbaits and traps with them. Alternatively, some like them for pitching jigs and soft plastics. You cast it to the spot, work it, and when you're out of the strike zone, you can retrieve and cast again quicker.

I'm asking myself the same question... For a big swimbait, is rod sensitivity really that important? I've never thrown one, but I kinda figured if a bass took a swimbait, you'd know about it

Yeah, I really didn't think it was likely. The wife likely won't like to hear I'll need 2 new rods for this stuff

After my last trip, I think I've decided that I'll have a Texas rig on d**n near all the time. I generally fish shallower, so I doubt I'll go above 1/4 oz very much, if at all. At the same time, I've never frog fished in the slop before, and I'd like to try that as well. I don't think any of my current equipment is heavy enough for that. Same with swimbaits. In my searching, I see that Kistler jig and toad rods are rated at something like 1/4 oz to 1.5 oz lure weight, and it peaked my interest. Is this rod versatile enough to pull double triple duty? ie light T-rigs (~1/4 oz), frogs and ~1 oz swimbaits?

I know --- Randall K -- Crappie guide extraordinaire

What Raul is saying definitely has merit. However, since Daiwa has been in the spinning reel game for quite some time, and the Tierra has nothing new and revolutionary, you should be safe. I have both Tierra and Stradic and like them both A LOT! Daiwa has more sizes available, and that's nice for balancing options.

I had a problem with my Pflueger reel not sitting correctly in my Kistler Mg. Haven't seen a problem with the Shimano or Abu I use, though

Rods? You shouldn't have any issues. As several have said, generally pretty good for the money. Just wait for a sale Reels? While I have never had an issue like this come up, generally folks on this board recommend others stay away from house brand reels. In the event service is needed, it becomes a hassle to get these guys fixed.

And the new agent is HOT!

While I've never been on that boat, I'd recommend a bigger trolling motor. You'll be using that one motor both to get you from launch to your fishing area, as well as positioning your boat in that area. While 36 may be fine to just reposition the boat and coast down a bank or through a stunp field, it may not be good enough to do the longer runs. It's better to have too much power than not enough, especially if the wind kicks up.

Also, it's good to know the seller fishes that reel. Except that the auction is for a rod. Eh, whateva

Yeah, there are several BPS combos that will do the job. The Shimano Sahara/Bionic Blade The Shimano Spirex/Bionic Blade And if you can save another $40 and catch a sale (which there are quite often), the Shimano Stradic/BPS Extreme would be even better!

The part that cracks me up is how you hear that it takes a while for a price change in crude to filter down to the public. Well, that's partly true. When an event occurs causing crude to increase, prices at the pump are up immediately. When crude prices drop, we may see some of that drop a few weeks later. Maybe...

I agree on the Avid rod. For reels, go with either a Stradic or a Daiwa Tierra. The Daiwa reels have more choices for size (2000, 2500 and 3000), and I think this allowed me to better balance the rod and reel. My Avid 6'9" ML rod just does NOT feel balanced with a 2500 Stradic (and the other choices are either 1000 or 3500). With my Tierra 2000, it's real nice

I haven't used one, but I'd like to hear some input as well. The Crucial rods I've handled at BPS seem MUCH whippier than other brands rated for similar lure weights, and I'm curious how they actually perform.

Yeah senko, I'm glad you mentioned that, as it was a question I always have but never remember to ask. I was always curious what happens when a severe weather event blows through while the bass are 'locked on' beds.

With the warmer spring weather over the last few weeks, the movement shallow to spawn is well underway. This week's weather in Atlanta is calling for some cold nights, down in the 30's, with highs in the mid to upper 50's. When weather like this blows through after spawning activity has started, how do you fish? My guess is that the fish will back out of the shallows and be suspended in deeper water near the spawning grounds. How do you approach this scenario? Agree? Disagree? Thoughts on a gameplan? Thanks all

Thought about this today... Supposedly the Spro Aruka Shad lipless crank is designed to look like a feeding baitfish at when rest. Let me explain...If you let it sink and stop on the bottom, it supposedly has the head down at the bottom, with the rest of the body angled upward, like the fish is pecking on something at the bottom. Now I'm thinking about tossing a bluegill pattern Spro onto spawning beds. My only concern is the trebles getting caught on the vegetation around beds. So I bought 2 weedess 3/0 Owners and I'm thinking about removing the trebles and putting these on. Thoughts?

8lb 15 oz, 1/8 oz jghead and June Bug Zoom finesse worm.

Doesn't YUM make forked-tail Yum Dingers? Sounds like what you're describing.