fishballer06

Another yinzer. Welcome man. Punching around here? I can only think of one lake that really offers that... I don't do much heavy punching/flipping, but I will say that I haven't bought into the snell knot hype. Perhaps try switching to a palomar and see how it works?

I've got 3 guys in the top 10 right now. Things are looking up for me.

For me... Dropshot and shakeyhead fishing. I just can't seem to produce with them. I do fine with other finesse presentations, but man. I can't get confidence in these two.

Vanish needs to vanish off the market...

I run almost all Sniper. If it's something else, it's going to be Tatsu or Pline Tactical. And I run 14 or 16lb. I only use 12lb. for cranks. I prefer to be safer than sorry.

I prepare myself for what I know is in each pond (when I pond fish). I fish a few ponds that I've never caught anything over 12-14" and my average fish is 8-11". So in those bodies of water, I'm obviously going to downsize my baits or otherwise I'm not going to get bit. However if there are bigger fish in the 15-20" range, it's game on for my entire tackle box.

It's an extremely versatile rod. I really like it for weedless 3.8" keitech's, and also 1/4oz Fishhead spins with a keitech on them. It's also great for 1/4oz buzzbaits and smaller poppers on topwater. As for plastics and jigs, it's great for 1/8, 1/4, 5/16oz stuff. It would work well for tubes for you as well. It's also great for Senko's and Neko rigging. In the moving bait category. It works well for 1/4oz traps, smaller squarebills, and my favorite with it is a baby 1-.

What are you planning on using this said rod for? I personally own two of the St. Croix Avid 7' Medium - Fast action rods, and I also own the 7'1" St. Croix LTB Medium-Fast action rod as well. If you can't tell, I love this style of rod and I find it very versatile for my needs.

I haven't yet. Having a newborn has really cut into my time on the water this spring. I did spool it up with some 15lb. Tatsu on Friday night, hoping I could get out Saturday. But alas, no luck.

This is my exact point. Look at the diameter difference between a spinning reel spool and a baitcaster spool and it's easy to understand this. Same theory as taking a 15" tire and rolling it one full rotation, and then doing the same thing with an 18" tire. The diameter is only 3" different. The 15" tire will roll 47.1", where as the 18" tire will roll 56.5".

My scales are saying that the stock spool is 16g with the foil sticker still on it. So I'm guessing it will be around 14-15g with that sticker off.

I agree. Small shad raps cast better on a spinning setup. But I love using a slower gear ratio casting reel as opposed to a spinning reel which has a higher gear ratio. To the OP, your setup will not cast a #5 shad rap, and probably would struggle with a #7 too. If you're dead set on throwing small Shad Raps with a baitcaster, here's what I recommend/use: Line: 10lb. fluorocarbon Rod: ML cranking rod (medium power for #7) Reel: I use a Shimano Stile 101PG. It's a JDM Aldebaran that's souped up. Super lightweight spool, good line capacity and a 5:1 ratio. Unfortunately, these reels run around $400 from Japan, but man are they nice.

Driving the hook home on a jig requires a strong hook set, a rod with enough backbone, and heavy enough line to absorb the shock of the hookset.

I got the new model Shimano Engetsu 101HG. This is a JDM Curado 70 that is on steroids! Micromodular brass gears, clicking drag, 102mm handle with oversized knobs.

The K series? Best. Curado. Yet.

Absolutely.

There's too many complicated topwaters out there today. I've simplified my topwater approach. Cavitron Frog If they don't eat those, they're probably not eating topwater. But that doesn't mean that I won't bust out a Skitter Pop or a Spook style bait before giving up. I bought the Storm Cover Pop last fall. It's a decent bait but certainly not going to replace my other go to poppers.

Sold both of my Met MGL's, still have 2 of my 13 Met's, and I have 4 of the Chronarch MGL's. For an all around reel, Chronarch MGL is the best all around reel I have ever used. Shimano has a real winner in this platform.

I'm really curious how the KY lake tournament is going to go. It's such a popular ledge lake with a strong offshore bite. However with the spawn in effect, it could be a totally different ball game. Roy Defoe Lefebre Kennedy Horton

I went with some of the favorites this event. I need to pick up some points to stay competitive, so I needed some sure picks. I hate going with the heavy favorite/locals pick, but it is what it is. My picks and their estimated ranking as of 12:30 on day one. Elam - 88 (only 3 fish) Christie - 71 Evers - 62 Palaniuk - 41 Feider - 13

Start fishing in areas with no fish in them. Your baits will last much longer.

Don't be telling everyone about the most effective shallow water crankbait ever, please? I need to win some money in these local tournaments somehow.

If the water is soft, the wiggle wart is in play.

35's make for a great front hook, because of how spread apart the two points are that face the body. Plus they don't foul up on the back hook or bill as much because of the short shank. The 36 is a great back hook and all around hook. My absolute favorite treble out there. The 41 is the 36, but it's a beefier 2x strong version.

This. They're like $5 at your local sporting goods store too.