FryDog62

Nice and fleshy, with a little mercury on the side…

The only other advantage I would list for fluorocarbon is sink rate. Over a long cast/retrieve it will allow the lure to stay down in the water column slightly over mono or braid. Could be an advantage or disadvantage depending on what depth your target is.

Wow what lake?

I much prefer the Owner Phantom Hook for weedless tubes over the stupid method. More bites, better hook ups - - https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=20&searchtext=Phantom+owner&_gl=1*a9zd56*_up*MQ..&gclid=CJDT3-2SjNECFZCMaQodOJECzA

Lake Hartwell is only 45 minutes from my house, but it’s always just been “so-so” for me. Instead, I have made the 2 hour and 15 minute drive to Lake Lanier 3 times over the last month. It’s definitely been worth the extra drive time. I caught both spots and largemouth on topwater today in 40 feet of water in the middle of a sunny day. Never did that in Minnesota… Plus, I camp out on a point with a million dollar view 👍

The 5 inch Caffeine Shad is in a class all by itself and has a completely different action than the others due to the air bubble in the tail. Best used on an 4/0 Owner Twistlock LIGHT hook.

Lately a lot of Xzone Adrenaline Craw jr. 3.5 inch. Have used 3.25 Muscle Back craw for a little more flapping action too..

Sieberts Dredge Brush Jig is phenomenal working in/around laydowns, brush, branches, etc. I use the 3/8 mostly and can almost NOT get it to get stuck.

I had all the MGL reels at some point (Curado, Chronarch, Antares). Traded them all off for Tatula Elites. Cast even farther, very effortlessly which is key is getting distance when Carolina rigging. Also have that reel on my NRX+ 843 MBR for tossing spinnerbaits which are high profile difficult lures to get the proper distance if using an inferior reel.

Skeptic

Pretty close - the Tatula 100 as well (same/similar A7075 long casting spool) Close to size/weight of the 70 but will cast much farther/smoother. Five years ago, I was frustrated casting jerkbaits and buzzbaits on a Zillion SV reel. At that time I had 10 SV reels (Alphas, Tatula, Zillion, Steez) and it was about all I knew. Someone recommended the Tatula Elite to me to get better distance with jerkbaits. I did it reluctantly but couldn’t believe how effortlessly I could launch the lure. I would then pick up other rods with SV reels and realized they are constricted even if adjusted and fine tuned. I added a second Tatula Elite reel - and was now having a hard time going back and forth to my SV reels. First I’d cast short with an SV, then I’d send one over the green monster with the Elite reel. It became too much of a hassle going back and forth. So I ended up trading/selling off all my SV reels except for two Zillions that I skip with. And many days I think about trading one of those off. Anyway, expensive lesson learned on my end. You may be better off with the 70, but I would recommend finding someone that has an Elite or Tat 100 - and set it up on the same rod, line etc you would a 70 and see if there is a difference to you.

The Tatula SV TW 70 is a good compact reel that excels at skipping lures. I think you’ll find the SV spool will restrict casting distance however, especially when throwing lighter/large profile lures like jerkbaits and buzzbaits. A similar priced Tatula Elite will cast smoother and 20%+ farther.

Agreed the T-wing makes a difference, but also the A7075 spool of your Tatula 100 helps in terms of distance too. It’s the same/similar spool as the Tatula Elite. Both of those Daiwa reels out-cast the 4 Shimano MGL reels I had. I’d say both features help to some degree.

Yep, the condoms could really F up an impeller 🙃

That was my initial thought on a jet as well. I did watch several videos of the Fluxjet release at iCast and they make very strong claims that the boat operates well in as little as 4 inches of water and has a double-proof system to prevent sucking in any weeds. Strong claims and the term “game-changer” was used a near record number of times.

As a Northern smallmouth guy - I’ve been trying to get my arms around the Spotted Bass thing here down south… Caught my first 20 inch Spot - on BFS even. Don’t even ask me what fights harder SMB or spots ?!?

I will only drip **** if I have to… will start Free Rig first because I think it catches bigger fish overall.

I tried several graphite and composite/glass rods and settled on an Alpha Angler “Chatterbound” rod and 17 lb Tatsu. Awesome set up!

Nice video Glenn. Curious what your typical distance is from your target when flippin heavier cover? For years, I was too far away thinking I’d spook the fish. But then my angle to pull bass out of cover was too steep and I’d pull more weeds than bass back, and end up losing many. As long as I’m quiet with all electronics off, I find myself within 5-10 feet of my targets now, where years ago it was twice that.

If you haven’t already, you should consider joining the Bonafide XTR130 user group on Facebook. I’ve been monitoring their set ups, speeds, etc. and there’s some really good stuff as it relates to motors, 36v, rigging, etc.

If I bought a different kayak - my probables include: Bonafide XTR130. With a couple of the 36 volt electric motor options like the Power Pole Move or Garmin Kraken, people are getting 6 mph (which Newport, Torqeedos get) but they also have spot-lock. This would be a no-brainer. Those motors cost more, but absolutely worth it IMO. Fluxjet. It’s smaller (only 11 feet long, and narrower) and lighter at only 88 pounds even with the motor. The motor is integrated (no more removing and stowing each time to the lake). The big draw back is it lacks spot/lock. You could add an inexpensive MinnKota on the bow with spot-lock, but you can’t have 2 motors in most tournaments. But man, with its lack of draft (no prop) you could cover so much water at 7 mph in shallow rivers like the Susky or Rum River!

I fish Florida and other southern waters when it’s hot year round, and Minnesota at times during the summer too. My hands take a beating - sunburn, and even a thumb got infected after lipping several fish. After using 3 different brands, I think I found the best glove for me. Fish Monkey makes a specific glove call the “Free Style Custom Fit” glove. You can leave the fingers long or cut them down any way you’d like. I cut all the fingers half way down - with the exception of my left thumb. I use that thumb to “lip” fish while I use my pliers if necessary to un-hook the fish. Have had them 2 years now with heavy use. They are starting to wear down some so I bought another pair. I will save the first ones for long tournament weeks so I have 2 pairs to switch off when they get used/stinky. As far as weight, they are hardy enough to put up with abuse but I’ve never felt too hot. Five stars from me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Fish_Monkey_Free_Style_Custom_Fit_Gloves_/descpage-FMFS.html?_gl=1*bdgcgl*_up*MQ..&gclid=CJDT3-2SjNECFZCMaQodOJECzA

I’ve been using YZH 12 lb and overall like it. However, I’ve noticed on long casts, the weight of the line seems to pull the nose of the walking bait down and it doesn’t flip back and forth as well initially. Once I reel closer, it seems to work better. Have been wondering if the P-Line Topwater line might keep the nose of the bait up better and get it working at the end of long casts which is where a lot of bites occur.

For those that have used it: Does it perform better for topwater versus other lines? (i.e. buoyancy, preventing hooks from getting fouled, etc.) What pound test do you use for 3/8 oz poppers and/or 1/2 oz walking lures? Do you use this line for other applications besides topwater, and how well does it work? Thanks

What applications would you use it for? For me, I think I'd put it on the reels I use for topwater that are currently strung up with mono/co-poly. Desired outcome would be a tad less stretch on the initial hook set.