poisonokie

anything over 6.3 is fine.

I don't think any trokar hooks are all that great, aside from the flipping hooks. They are just too heavy. I'd pick gamakatsu over them any time, and owner over those. Lighter hooks just require lighter drags and hook sets. So you can't reel in a tree limb without straightening them out. Who cares? That's not what's important.

I was thinking about trying this the other day. Not because of pike, we don't have those, but just because it seems like having two circle hooks might actually improve hookups. The only problem I see is the eye size of single hooks is smaller than a treble. Maybe using snaps instead of split rings might solve that. I don't know. I'll give it a shot next time I get out there.

yup, finesse is best. Try a downsized double fluke rig, a shakey head. Get you some roboworms, flick-shake worms, owner wacky jigheads, owner shakey heads, maybe try out a ned rig. Also boo yah pond magic spinnerbaits and rebel teeny draws should come through. Perhaps a finesse jig or two like the strike king bitsy bug. Light lines and tight lines, brother.

Another for finesse. You are always more likely to catch something, and I pull in some pigs that way. Either way, it's more fun with any size fish on the end. Daiwa T3 1016 (sv1000 shallow) 20# power pro super slick Major Craft Volkey 68L/bfs Owner Shakey Head 1/16 oz with 6" roboworm -or- Duo Realis crank 48sr, spinbait 80, rozante 63

I used 50# power pro super slick. What about it do you find to be a hindrance about it?

Sorry, I obviously didn't read this.

maybe even 50. There is no line rating for reels, just capacity per diameter. 15 is for spinning reels and not for use around rip rap. Also most guys use a Palomar or uni knot for braid. I double my line and tie a san Diego jam. In any case go through the eye of the hook twice and use mono leaders around sharp rocks.

from now on, all I'm buying are Siebert wire tied jigs.

especially since you can re-engage the clutch without touching the handle or thumb bar by pushing the hood back down. That might be my favorite thing about the t3. I find myself trying to do that with other reels.

Dude, you'll love it. Both my T3's are 6.3, so they're on finesse and cranking duty, but I used it on my jig rod before I got a faster tatula and it was effortless pitching jigs. I think that's where the t-wing shines brightest. IMO, it's an all around better casting and retrieving system, but when you go to pitching with it you won't want to put it down.

my favorite roboworm hook is a sixteenth ounce owner shakey head.

Yup, those tats deserve respect. The naysayers are just jealous.

if you're lucky, it's a screw behind the cap on the outside of the knob. If it's a rivet, you might as well buy a new handle assembly.

I bet it will. I think 13, quantum, and lew's are all interchangeable. Not 100% positive, though.

Good call on the d bombs and d stroyers, those things are bass magnets. What about that xt rod? What are your impressions of it?

what's most important for most presentations is smoothness. Your reel might button down to 15#, but if it releases line erratically the likelihood of the fish throwing the hook increases. The only time I use more than maybe 6# of drag is when I'm flipping into slop and woodpiles.

I use the tatula flip rod with great results. It'll throw a 1/2 oz frog across the pond and set both hooks like nothin. I've never used the frog rod, but from what I can gather, they both excel at the same things. I know its my most versatile rod, and that's not what I was expecting.

Pop-Max, brother.

You can, but it's not ideal. Apparently an 8.1 ratio is the end all, be all for bass reels, but I disagree. I say you're better off using a 7.x:1 or even a 6.3:1 for an all around reel.

no way, man. If you buy those you'll nothing left over for baits. Then you're stuck with a bunch of useless, empty boxes.

I was able to skip mine pretty well even on my flip rod, and I'm no expert bait skipper to begin with. I'm used to using a spinning rod a foot shorter and even stiffer for that.

You mean you don't just put everything in your pockets? One word: Cargo shorts. Er... Cargoshorts.

try an Owner Phantom tube hook. Those things are awesome.

I recommend the Daiwa Tatula 711MHRB. It would be an excellent all around rod. For me, it's been the best worm and jig rod I've ever used. It has a mod-fast action that is perfect for braided line. It is very sensitive and lightweight without sacrificing power. There is more than enough backbone to set heavy hooks and steer around kicker fish. The grips are comfortable and ergonomic and the guides are excellent. Plus, cranks, traps, and topwaters are well within its capability, especially with a mono/fluoro leader. I prefer composite rods for that, but this one will get the job done. I know I get more and better hooksets out of jigs, t rigs, and spinnerbaits than ever before with xfast rods.