Theangler1

I've had this happening a lot too. What I try to do before they break surface is trying to tire them out by making them swim sideways. When the fish swims one way, I put my rod tip the other way to keep the hook in their mouths. That reverse pressure on the hook gives you a possible leg up on them.

Can't go wrong with Lews or shimano. But for me, the tatula is rather heavy. But I fish with Lews reels myself

If the cover is not "mat"-ish I would consider throwing a top water buzzbait of spinnerbait because of the front arm in front of the hook. But also if the weeds are "stringy" any kind of open hooked bait will become a weed attractant.

I wonder how the hook ups would be considering the smaller hook gap from a regular frog.

I have the 7' heavy for the same purpose; 3/8 oz jigs around docks. Love the rod. I've been using it for 3-4 months and has caught the hundreds of fish.

Thanks a lot everyone for the funny and different points. I will try to take all of these into consideration next time I go out!

It still has to be some sort of weak spot in the line I'm guessing

I ate my like when tying the knot excessively and pull my tag end of the Palomar. I think that would prevent knot burn. I also test the knot by pulling the main line.

But the thing is I check my knot after each fish and almost always it happens very close to my jig.

I fish 3/8 oz jigs on a duckett micro magic pro heavy rod with 15 pound p-line flouro. I have had fish snap me off on the hook set. I like to set hooks hard but wouldn't say I set them like some of my buddies. I set the hook at around my 10 o'clock. I also change my flourocarbon religiously so I don't think line is an issue either. What could I be doing to prevent this?

Can't go wrong with Maui Jims! Love my amber lenses for all conditions

I just got that rod and love it! I have It paired up with a Lews team lite. I can fish a weightless Texas rigged worm on it. The reel is crazy smooth and gets very few backlashes. Incrediblly light reel as well

I can't vouch for white ice but I recently bought a 7' heavy micro magic pro and wow. It is the best rod I've ever fished with. Super sensitive and combined with a Lews team lite makes it incredibly light. You mentioned hearing the rods coming a little light. I would agree with this, but not to that extent. I would say my heavy is about a mh/h of a comparing rod brand such as a carbonlight. I would definetly recommend the micro magic pro. You won't be disappointed.

Super cold and windy day yesterday. People caught, not many teams did. But people caught. Me and my partner got one and I missed a nice one on a senko. We were fishing unbearably slow. But we did qualify for the final tournament day so that'll be fun.

Were at the des plaines river. But we have fished stumps with mediocre success and yet rip rap has always come up to be the best for us

Thanks. Rip rap is usually most productive for us.

Thanks. Rip rap is usually most productive for is.

I am not in anglers dream. High school tournaments.

I would agree that 1/2 would be pushing it on that rod. But it is rather soft for a mh but does handle big fish well. I would also say that the action is almost a between fast and moderate which makes the mh act like a medium.

I love the ghost! Definetly a great light rod. The medium heavy is a tad in the lighter side. So the biggest lure i like to use on it is around 3/8 oz. great rod overall. No complaints

Solid fish! With all this cold weather, idk when they're going to spawn! I have a tournament Saturday, it's going to be cold and wet. Makes for some hard fishing.

Thanks a lot guys. I just got the heavy rod. Can't wait to use it. Hopefully it'll arrive before my next tournament!

Yea I was also thinking heavy because I already own a 6'8" mh ghost.

So I've been looking to add another rod to my arsenal, but am suck between a 7' mh and 7' heavy duckett micro magic pro. I will mostly throw jigs 3/8 ounce on there. Would a heavy be too much of a "meat stick" to throw those? But I may also throw bigger plastics as well as a frog now and then. It will be comboed with a Lews team lite. What do you guys think? Thanks!

I have a 6'8" mh ghost and I use it for pretty much the same things you intend to use your step up for. The rod is super light and I could fish with it all say without much fatigue. I have fished some decent sized jigs with it too and really set the hook well in the fish. Great overall rod. I have mine paired up with a Lews lfs reel. Great combo!