FryDog62

Just picking up the slack line, I use 7.1 to 8.1...

I agree with his statement about Fall fishing. Rarely have I ever found them "stacked" in high numbers. Just the other day I caught 2 of the bigger largemouth of the year on back-to-back casts and then didn't get another bite for almost 90 minutes. That's typical Fall fishing for me. Makes sense to utilize a Texas rig around the remaining green weeds though.

My opinion here but it’s pretty well known the breakage issues with the Levante a couple years ago. But I do think the Orochi is a bit fragile too. I snapped about 5 inches off on the Braillist and then a Perfect Pitch during casts with lures approx half the weighted rate. Made me leery. So when Megabass re-did the Levante last year, I opted for a Perfect Pitch in that line. Like it just as well as the Orochi and my confidence is higher given that it has been re-done and hopefully got the bugs worked out.

I think right now, the rivers in Central Minn are peaking. 52-55 water temps is a sweet spot. Challenge is low water levels. After Nov I don’t know for sure. I’ve not fished the Bayport area but I would think very good too!

Engage the reel a 1/2 second before the buzz bait hits the water. Also have the rod tip pointed at the landing spot and just as the lure hits the water and raise the tip and pull the lure slightly towards you as you start to reel... it gets it "out of the hole" gradually but keeps it from sinking. And an 8:1 ratio helps too.

Yup, I either tie to my belt loop or reel handle. You hit a certain age whether you need bifocals or not that holding the line in your teeth becomes impractical/impossible!

The key is to lock in and listen for it to click into place early on in the alternating wraps. Otherwise it can pull loose. Watch this video - especially at the 3:20 mark: That being said, I have switched back to the Alberto knot - but with the 3 hitch finish. Faster, just as strong with the added hitch knots, and small thru the guides. Video

Hard to tell but yeah, he’s probably got it tuned pretty well for that technique. Who knows it might be a 1/8 oz or heavier lure too. If you notice he has the lure reeled up close to the tip and really loads the rod up, then down and finally outwards to generate quick momentum. Could be reeled up close to reduce line slap upon snap/release and less chance to lash. I’ve never tried to flip, or have felt the need to, on my BFS set ups. They roll cast so easily short distances and are accurate. I have done some of the backhand, side arm casts when at an angle to avoid branches or people behind me in my backswing... didn’t really have to adjust anything on the reel for that. But it’s less of a snap like the guy underhand flipping in the video. I think for that you’d need to do some fine tuning. For me personally, I don’t want to be fussing with adjustments constantly. If I were flipping for an extended period sure, but if I can roll cast without taking the time to adjust makes more sense to me. A 1/16 oz lure hits the water pretty softly anyway, thus lessening the need to flip anyway. I’ve noticed in some of the BFS videos they try to do some fancy techniques maybe just to show how skilled/versatile they can be. Some of it seems for stunt value and not always practical in the reel world. I think a well executed roll cast can be just as cool to watch as anything and way more practical IMO.

I usually use Sufix 832 braid 30 lb, with either Yo-zuri 12 lb or Abrazx 15 lb for a leader (they are similar diameter). If I were to frog exclusively I'd probably got to either 40 or 50 lb 832 braid w/o leader. I will say if not frogging or T-rigging in the heaviest of slop - a straight spool of just Abrazx 15 pound has been my preference.

I use the Perfect Pitch mostly for Dark Sleepers and Texas rigs. Have experimented with 30 lb braid and fluorocarbon. I could be happy using either but went with 15 lb Abrazx earlier this year and it seems like best option. If I used the rod to frog more I’d opt for braid but I have a dedicated frog rod already.

Biggest issue I had was tensile strength. I had break offs too but noticed it was mostly above the knot. Any snapping of the line broke, especially snags. If you do any “slack line hook sets” guaranteed breakage IMO. I think knot slippage gets blamed more often with Nanofil but may not always be the real underlying factor.

Before my current bass boat, was hard to beat the Yar Tiller. Definitely punched above it’s weight class...

My dad had a trI-hull years ago too... that’s why I still have square nuts and a squeaky voice today. ?

I can get fairly deep with a 1/2 ounce “Over-Spin.” Less resistance than the big bladed spinnerbait.

The Twistlock hook does help the durability of the Caffeine Shad some, I probably average 2-3 fish per shad, sometimes twice that. I think the TW reviews are mostly people that nose hook which hurts durability and swimming action. The air bubble in the tail is such a differentiator, and on that hook it will swim horizontally on its own, slow down then wiggle its tail, change directions and glide or death spiral like no other lure I've ever used. A few twitches in between really brings it to life. And in rivers you can cast towards shore and it will swim with the current horizontally with its own movement for several feet - smallmouth can't stand it.

A 5 inch Strike King Caffeine Shad on a 4/0 3/32 oz Twistlock Light hook is the pinnacle of fluke fishing.

Gobies have made it through the Great Lakes system all the way to the Eastern port of Duluth. Makes one wonder if they eventually flourish inland - Vermillion, Mille Lacs, etc we will have a new state record smallmouth in Minnesota. The downside is another invasive species to contend with, the upside would be a real state record scientifically weighed and measured.

1)Spring: jerkbait 2)Summer: Geecrack Bellows 3) Summer/Fall: Nerd rig

I will try to post more. A couple largies this past week on buzzbaits and tubes. Hope to get some smallies to come out and play soon too!

2 things that will cut your learning curve by 80%: •Use any”SV” reel from Daiwa i.e. Tatula, Alphas, Zillion, Steez... •Use the piece of tape just past casting distance that bluebasser recommended.

This helps, I'm pretty sure this is the same tube jig I had before but its been so long since I needed to order. Order is now on its way from TW... of course with a few other goodies some monkey threw in there!

I’m running low on my tube jig supply and need to re-order. Been awhile since I’ve ordered these, and can’t tell brand. What do people like for the smaller 2.5 inch tubes? Probably 1/8 oz maybe 3/16, I prefer the 60 degree line tie. Am guessing what I have been using is 3/0 but not sure...

Yes... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Jeff_Kriet_-_Flying_Squirrel_7pk/descpage-BBBFSQR.html Or if you want to use a worm - there is the Squirrel straight tail worm, T-Mac worm, GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler or Rattler... I prefer those for shakey heads or Nekos myself and the Flying Squirrel all the way on C-rigs.

Munky Butt for lmb, Bone for smb ~

Yes, but that “Monkey” is never gone...