adam lancia

So I finally had the opportunity to test out my Alberto leader knot, not on a fish though. I got snagged, DOH! Anyhow, 15# Super 8 Slick tied to Trilene 100% 15# Flourocarbon. It was a tighten the drag and hope the rod doesn't break ordeal. I was casting a wacky rigged worm. The leader knot held up great while the Palomar on the hook gave way. That was a 5 wrap Alberto too, tiny knot for how strong it is. I thought a little anecdotal "evidence" would be a nice addition to the thread.

I'd take enough lin to respool at least half of your reels, just to be on the safe side. You know as long as you have it with you, you won't need it LOL

I'd put a $150 reel on a $50 to $90 rod, depending on what kind of fishing you're doing with it.

Tie that knot about twenty more times and it's going to feel very easy and natural. Here's a great tutorials on the Alberto: I have the best success with it when it cinches down evenly and really grabs at the end where the leader is doubled over and forming a loop. I also have had zero problems with only 5 wraps, making it that much more compact.

No rivers or creeks coming in or out of there by the looks, eh? When the bite slows on the clear lakes up at our family cottage, that's where I head and usually have some luck. I agree with the natural looking baits and presentations 100%. That being said, if the bite is great either early or late, throw a spinnerbait to see if you can goad a big 'un into taking the bait.

By the sounds of things, you're probably better off picking up a decent used rod and reel. This is the best bang for your buck, especially if you can find it locally, at least the rod. That will save you a bunch on shipping. There are tons of deals on used reels, it just takes a little looking. Unless you're prepared to spend around $200 on new stuff, it's probably not worth it for you.

Slowing right down has worked for me this year so far, with smallmouths at least. We don't have any largemouths in Nova Scotia. Going to a darker colour than what I fished in the morning has helped as well. A week and a half ago we got to the lake around 6:30 and fish were breaking the surface all over the place. The three of us were throwing everything from wacky and Texas rigged 5" Senkos, Flukes to chugs to a Heddon Torpedo and every lure caught fish for the next 3 hours. Once the bite slowed, a 4" wacky rigged Senko was the ticket. I also changed from pumpkin to black/blue laminate and really slowed how much I worked. Drop shot might have worked well too. My father in law, who has never fished bass before, was breaking the Senkos up into inch long chunks and putting them on a wacky hook and catching fish right up until we called it a day at 2pm. They were by no means big but he wasn't lacking any bites. He was even having luck when he didn't notice the Senko chunk being up on the actual leader and not even on the hook anymore... I have no idea why that worked but it did...

I only use braid with a fluoro leader, the Alberto knot is the best I have found so far. It's easy for me to tie and it's not bulky.

The Tatula handles are 90mm, just an fyi in case you're hoping (as I was!) for a longer stock handle on that reel.