Fishingmickey

Is Chebrushka Tommy's middle name?

I have several Coast's in different sizes. The Single AA one is sweet for carrying in your pocket and has a hat or shirt pocket clip. Also their headlamp is good too. FM

I think I will keep that analogy between us Jimmyjoe. FM

You might also look at the Scorpion DC.

Quarry, When you say deep crankbait, how deep do you mean? If your talking on the small side 6XD/DD22 to say on the large side a Strike king 10XD. Most of those baits weigh at least one ounce. The 10XD is almost two ounces. Most of the IMHO true deep crankbaits are between 1.25 - 2 oz's. So a 7'4" (short side) to 7'10" or 8' heavy/moderate action rod is needed to properly cast one of those behemoth crankbaits. Now to properly reel one of those behemoths in you need a low geared 4:1, 5:1 or 6:1 reel at most. For me it is a Shimano Tranx or Curado 300EJ. Sure you can use you 7:1 or 8:1 and it will slap wear you out. If your talking crankbaits smaller then that. You should be fine with your regular tackle. A moderate action or glass rod is preferred by some for keeping them pinned and giving the bass a chance to eat it better. Good luck cranking! FM

What kind of scent were you using? Bait-mate ultra continuous spray, Bang, Bio-edge liquid potion, Cox juice, Lunker city super stank or Mega strike newt attractant? FM

I've been playing with braid on deep diving crankbaits for three going on four years now. By deep diving I'm talking 6xd sized plus or 20' - 25' deep rated baits. I like to use it when I want to work 18' to 25' FOW. I use 30# either PPro, PPro slick or Suffix 832 and tie direct. I like the sensitivity of the braid for bottom feel and when contacting wood. Another plus is if I get hung up I can usually straighten out the hook and get my crank back. Bad part is if it really gets hung it is a byatch to break off. I have a couple of the Kistler KLX feel & reel S2 (composite graphite and fiberglass rod) in MH and H action. Been pleased with how they perform. FM

i'm in this camp.

Might want to look at the Curado 70 also. They are on closed out sale right now at TW. FM

It may be the "official" advertising video. But the question remains did they get it right. I'd ask the question does the line rub against the T-wing or the bar when it is fed over? If it does rub, I'd go under for the win. FM

Improved clinch for me. I can't see well enough to tell if I have crossed line with the palomar.

Hi Ken, I agree with you and with Fishesintrees assessment. I wouldn't be too hung up on the XF action on your Mojo/Met combo. It is a excellent bottom contact bait set-up. For me 15-17lb Invisx or Tatsu. Fish T-rigged, jig's, swim jig etc. I suspect it would do fine for pitching into light to moderate cover also. IMHO try it out on different lures! Weightless flukes regular and mag sized fished over or through veggies comes to mind. FM

Your using 20# Fluoro on a spinning reel or baitcaster? If it is spinning, it is way too heavy line for a 2500-3000 sized reel. If it is a baitcaster it takes a good practiced thumb. Don't overfill your spool on either type of reel, close the bail by hand on spinning. Stay away from the light lures using 20# on the baitcaster. One more thing that really makes a difference is the quality of line your using. Some/most of the cheaper line are much stiffer line. Stiffer line means more memory or springy line. You might try some of the KVD line lube and conditioner. FM p.s. Lonnie and I agree.

7' Medium would be more versatile IMHO for spinning- Go with a lighter wire hook for T-rigged. 3/0-5/0 Gamakatsu round bend worm hooks with a Berkely power worm are one of my all time go-to's. If you want to tex-pose then the lighter wire EWG hooks work well too. FM

I find those large white one's with the dark brown or black head to be pretty tasty with some honey mustard or garlic ranch dressing. FM

Heck Will, Your really posing a dilemma. Have you given the line a very through inspection? Like take your rig outside tie it off on a tree/fence post/something solid. Walk off what your casting distance is normally. Does the line come off the reel smoothly? Do you find jerky spots where the line has "dug in" to the spool and just a pull free's it? Set the rig down and go back to your tie off point and walk the line back to your rig using your fingers and eyes. See if you can find any imperfections in the line. Fuzzing, bumps, faded or discolored anything out of the norm. After that strip off some more line and check it too. Does it look the same and feel the same as the first inspection? What brand of line are you using? Suffix 832 and Power pro have developed a reputation over the years for producing excellent line. Has it ever been exposed to high heat or left out in the sun for days? Last test is reel the line back to your normal casting distance with it tied off and wrap it around something and see if it breaks just pulling on it. Braid doesn't like being shocked. Coming to a instant stop or jerk and it will snap. I have done this bomb casting larger type crank baits and the ensuing birds nest brought the line to a sudden stop and sent my 8XD into orbit. Hope this rant of mine helps you find the source, Fishingmickey

I bought my first baitcaster Shimano Bantam Mag. with a Shimano Bullwhip rod from a friend. Loaded the reel with 14# Berkely XL. Tied on a 1/2 oz spinner bait. Set the trolling motor on two and a hundred thousand casts, hundreds of bass and many, many miles of bank later I wore it slap out. I still have it on a shelf in the shed I believe.

I'm kinda with Garroyo there. Berkley Lighting rod would be a good deal for the bottom end price wise. St Croix Mojo bass for the upper end would be my other pick.

Well the "big" three have been hit (Pop-max, Yellow magic and Rico). I've been a long time fan of the Rapala Skitter pop. I do like the balsa made lures. FM

Defiant Clone, First priority as many have said so far, a comfortable seat. If your kayak is a pain in the "mule" after a hour or so your not going to like it. Second is stability and where and how do you plan on using it. Running rivers, fishing small waters like ponds and lakes, big waters like lake, bays or "Swamps"? Capsizing and loosing all your gear, ruining your phone can really suck. If your a "big boy" say 6'/190+ plus and have a hard time balancing on a 2x6 you really don't want a small narrow kayak. Kayak's are kind of like shoes. They come in all sizes and are made with different purposes in mind. You have to find one that fits you and the purpose you want to use it in! Seriously, it has to fit and you need to know what your doing if you go out in less then optimal conditions or it could be really life changing or life ending. Demo or try as many different boats as you can. if at all possible rent them for a weekend or a day at least. A fifteen minute demo paddle tells you something but a day on the water tells it all. Don't be one of those that buys a kayak, two week later regrets buying it and then wants to sell it three weeks later because it doesn't meet expectations. FM

Beautiful Smallmouth!

Halo over Favorite any day. I have two Halo's and like them very much. I don't like the Googan squad or anything they are pushing. FM

Happy Birthday! Beautiful Crappie too!

Might check again DomQ, From Shimano: The Curado 200 K will be available in 3 gear ratios: 6,2:1, 7,4:1 and an very high ... Because of the 200 size, it will fit perfectly for pike and big blackbass fishing ... the aluminum frame makes the Curado 200 K very tough but still light weight. The 2019 Scorpion MGL is a 150 frame size. FM

Not sure how you feel about buying direct from Japan. I have been very impressed by my Scorpion MGL's. It's a 150 sized reel so it is a smaller frame then the Curado K. Been great throwing lighter baits. Fishingmickey