paleus

The cheapest way to go would be backing it with mono. Braid is definitely not cheaper, unless you've got some old, used braid laying around. I've heard some people say braid is good for backing because it is lighter so there is less inertia to overcome for the spool to spin up. If you do tie braid directly to your spool, tie it through the holes if you have a waffle spool, or put some electrical tape on the spool, or else the braid will slip on the spool. I use braid as a mainline and back it with cheap mono.

What is the best/cleanest way to remove the molded in dividers from Plano boxes? I want a box for line spools and other large things and Plano doesn't make a no divider box in the size I need. I did another one before with a cut off wheel on a dremel, but it didn't look very pretty when I was done.

The Ned rig has been my most productive for river smallies by far. My favorite is what works. I've also caught a bunch on rooster tails and small jerkbaits. I got some Pop-Rs to try this upcoming season.

Ned Rig It has never failed on smallmouth for me.

Triumph Thruxton

I'd get an Abu Vendetta and a Revo S.

I've got one. The rod is kind of whippy, but not terrible, still sensitive enough to feel bites. I've used mine for crappie mostly. It is not a bad combo for $50-$60. Instead of buying it again, I would get the Trion reel (or other $20-$30 reel) and get a Berkley Lightning Rod. That's a much better rod for only $15-$20 more for the combo.

Craigslist. I bought my Slayer 12 for $600 and my Jackson Cruise 12 for $700 on CL. There are deals to be had, just have to be patient. I used the cPro app on my phone and it would alert me whenever a listing matching my search criteria was added.

So, why not just keep it in your wallet and then you will have it with you... I must be missing something here.

Why not just put it in your wallet?

Probably because I wasn't able to pull at the same speed everytime. I never jerked it and the line always broke, it wasn't the knot coming untied, but still that would be a variation in each test.

How many turns are you SD Jam users doing? I did 6 turns for both the IC and the SD Jam. Maybe I should do more for 8lb line?

You could easily buy enough stuff to be catching fish successfully for less than $100.

I tested the Palomar, just out of curiosity: 6.92 7.65 2.53* 5.48* 5.79 7.84 5.70* 6.48 4.87* Avg: 6.94 It was much less consistent. I took the top 5 for the average. The measurements with the asterisk were not included in the average.

Good points. I probably had my drag set a little high when I lost that smallmouth, and it was in a rocky river so abrasion may have been a factor as well. It just got me thinking, first time I use this knot and I lose a fish.

Yes, and I used to use it exclusively before going to braid mainline with a leader. With the Palomar, depending on the size of the lure, it creates a long tag and wastes a lot more line. I stopped using it so I wouldn't have to retie my leader so often.

So, after trying the San Diego Jam for the first time this weekend and losing a good smallmouth right at my kayak, I decided to do a little testing. This is not a very scientific test and this may not hold true for all lines, I just wanted to find out for myself which knot works best with the line I use. Set up: Tied my 50lb Rapala scale off to my desk. Tied the line to a wacky rig hook and hooked that to the hook on the scale. Pulled gently until the line broke. Filmed the scale with my camera to review at what poundage the line broke. Line used: 8lb Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon Results (in lbs): Clinch: 6.21 7.18 8.09 7.18 7.49 Avg: 7.23 SD Jam: 6.28 6.70 6.61 7.69 5.33 Avg: 6.52 Double Clinch: 6.67 5.13 6.59 Avg: 6.13 I think the double clinch was weakened during cinching it down because there is more friction. I left the Palomar out because I don't tie it due to the line waste and don't want to have to retie my leader all the time. I was surprised by these results, since everything I've read about the SD Jam says it is a 94% knot. I will continue to use the Improved Clinch knot, it is easier to tie than the SD Jam anyways.

Ned.

Zman zinkerz. Won't tear up. Cut them in half and use them on a Ned Rig.

What do you like about the Panther Martin over the Rooster Tail? I haven't tried any others and just wonder what the differences are between all the inline spinners.

ML spinning rod and a rooster tail.

I learned to fish with a Zebco 33 with a right hand retrieve, then had baitcasters with right hand retrieve. I have my spinning reels set up to be right hand retrieve. I've tried to crank with my left hand with spinning gear and just can't get the hang of it, it just feels unnatural. I wish I could learn, because I cast with my right hand and between closing the bail with my left hand and then switching the rod to my left hand to retrieve, that takes a good amount of time. Not as big a deal with bait casters because I keep both hands on the reel during the cast and switch hands before the lure hits the water. I just need to force myself to do it.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-Duct-Seal-Compound-Plug-DS-110/100212441

Just roll it into a ball and then press the transducer into it. Press it as far into the putty as you can so it is as close to the hull as possible. Then, I pushed what was around the edges up against the transducer just so it will stay stuck.

+1 on the duct seal/plumbers putty over the goop. I've got my Elite 5 transducer (same as Elite 4x) mounted inside my kayak with plumbers putty and get a perfectly clear image, just as clear as when it was on my trolling motor on my boat.