Further North

The only times I've had this issue is when I'm fishing in really rocky areas (not an issue for you as you've stated), or if I've got something fraying the line (guide, weight...even one time the line guide on the reel). I'd start by stuffing part of a cotton ball (or a small piece from a pair of your wife's nylons) through the guides on the rod. It doesn't take much to put a tiny nick in braid, and once it's nicked...it's toast. If you get nothing there, try the line guide on the reel. If it's not that, it's either your weights...or your knot. Not much else left.

If I have any indication that the fish are not hitting because I'm tying braid right to the lures (very seldom), I'll tie in about 4' - 6' of 17# Fluorocarbon line. Why 17#? The lightest braid I use is 20# and I don't want the weak link to be the leader. One spool of 17# fluorocarbon line will last me years. ...on a slight sidebar: We have a lot of toothy fish here (pike and musky). If I get bit off more than once in a day, I tie in about 18" of Tyger Wire. It's cheaper than losing baits....

Same here...I've never figured out why anyone would want to cast with their right arm, then switch hands to reel.

Thanks - I am moving more and more in the direction of technique specific rods where in the past I've sort of chosen a general purpose rod, or made something adapt where it wasn't really the best choice. I really like the TFO rods I've bought in the last few years (most of my got-to bass-pike-musky fly rods are TFOs, as well as about half my conventional gear. I made a move last spring to a different boat (Crestliner CMV 1850) with a lot more and much more useful rod storage and that fishes better than the walleye style Lunds and Crestliners I'd had before and it is a lot easier to have technique specific rods accessible on-deck with the new rig.

First post here, have been reading about Dobyns rods a little and have seen them mentioned here. ...a little background, I live in NW WI, fish lakes and rivers with everything from light action spinning rods to bait casters to fly rods...I'm far from a purist (I'm a fisherman first, everything else is just a way to catch fish). I tend towards fishing plastics for smallies, but manage to trip over a lot of largemouth in the process. I currently own mostly St. Croix and Temple Forks Outfitters rods, like the way both fish, but have seen some good comments and reviews about Dobyns rods.