Joedodge

Latest one I tied up. I’m actually really happy with this one.

I’ve fished a lot of different baits over 15 years. And I really have just nestled into what works. Jigs, T rigs, spinnerbaits, jerk baits in cool water, and a few top waters. Honestly I don’t fish much more than that. I’ll throw a bladed jig occasionally. Or a frog. But I got tired of spending money on All kinds different baits I’d try and build confidence in. Because even if I did? I went back to my old presentations lol. Or I found they are just a variation of an already popular presentation. No need to reinvent the wheel just because.

Im not gonna lie the stuff’s tougher than I thought. I had 30 mins before picking my daughter up. There is a pond near there. I stopped made one cast it was windy. Blew me in some cat tails. Got stuck lol. Eventually broke off 15 pound. And got in the car and left lol. But it was tough to get the knot to pop lol

I’ve never tried KVD. But I do have a can of reel magic. It does help. When I actually remember to use it lol

I mean I think it’s a tad more sensitive. And it definitely doesn’t float. But I’ve caught a lot of fish on mono and braid. It casts different. That’s the thing that bugs me. Suffix elite mono is super affordable and casts amazing.

I just go fish. I don’t change things much I have what works and has for years. I start there and the fish kinda dictate what they want. I don’t stress it. Paralysis by analysis will ruin a trip. Just fish

I went out yesterday and today for a lil bit. Casted in the yard a lot. And then at a pond. I struggled some to dial the brakes in. It kept wanting to fluff up on the spool on the cast. Totally manageable but bothered me. I made sure to spool it a 1/8 inch below the edge of the spool. But some tinkering and some advice form @casts_by_fly got me on a much better track. It is a ton more sensitive. There is no denying that. I caught sown small fish nothing to write home about. But you can feel the jig on the slack line a lot better. A ton better. Is it any better than mono or braid? Idk I guess that’s up to the person fishing it. One thing I will say is on a long cast I could drive home a hook set on braid. With flouro it’s more like mono. You have to reel that slack up to get a good hookset on a long cast. I like it for sure though. $28 a spool like it? Not sure yet lol

I fish alone lol. So usually nothing. I say all kinda crap in my head though lol

No problem. One of my biggest snook was caught on a chrome and blue lol

I love a trap. Used to do very well on them on saltwater. Snook and redfish actually love them. That said I get sick and tired of cleaning filamentous algae and crap off a trap in ponds and lakes. It’s a lure I just don’t enjoy haha. my wife caught her PB on a craw colored red eye shad on a lake we had in Florida that was actually a pretty clean one vegetation wise.

Gamakatsu hasn’t failed me in 15 years now. I buy the standards and superlines on sale. And they last me a good while. Loose some to snags through out the year. Other than that they stick around a long while. I’ve considered going to eagle claw for price. Alot of folks here use them just can’t bring myself to.

I’ve fished them all. I love mono but I wil say for this purpose I like the other options a lot better. In Florida braid was pretty much all we used lol. A lease occasionally. Even in saltwater it was broad and leader

I’m gonna grab a spool of 15 pound invizx tomm and give it another shot.

Thanks everyone!!! Looking more and more like flouro may just be what I settle on.

With the cover and grass not being as heavy here. Ideally I could use it for just frogging. I’m honestly just tired of tearing up fish mouths

I agree with all that. I got so used to braid from living in Florida. And I really do enjoy mono. And have don’t just fine on it. I guess I feel like I miss fish because of the perceivable stretch ya feel

Im With ya here. I’ll take catching 12-15 inch fish and nice time any day. Can’t catch monsters everytime.

That’s kinda where I have been for years. Straight braid. Worked great in Florida. And it’s worked fine since moving to the Midwest. But this year I decided I’d try new stuff and hit myself all wrapped up in non sense lol

I’ve fished everything this year. Found what I really like mono for. But I fish jigs and Texas rigs basically all the time. And I just can’t decide whether I like straight braid or flourocarbon better. We have light to moderate cover. Mostly sparse grass and filamentous algae. Nothing insane like when I lived in Florida. I’ve been fishing suffix 832 30 pound and invizx 12 pound. I wana step up to 15. I like the hook sets with braid but it is rough on the mouths of smaller fish. Idk seemed like a fun post for a Saturday morning. What’s your thought?

Nope. Never had a reason to cast with my off hand.

Ok ok. The jig is up haha. I really have been laying alot lower than I was and the elbows loving it. lol

Well dang. Well whatever part of the season works lol. Ugh I have 30 years or better before I retire lol

Thank you!!! I need the neighbor out east show me how it’s done. We should try and do some fishing next spring

Haha it would a waste of your hard earned money!! I appreciate it a lot. I’ve always tried to be. I’m super thankful. People fish these ponds every day. And anyone ya talk to will tell ya. You can catch a lot but they age all small. Or there’s none in that one. I’m just happy to know they are there now.

Got this girl after work. Another quick trip 30 mins taking it easy on the elbow. Was casting and working a jig I made last night. Just dragging and hopping the bottom. Heavy rain this morning. Ponds levels raised and water was dark not muddy though. Didn’t think a brown jig and green pumpkin trailer would be amazing. Had a bite. Got off. Caught one dink. Then I hooked this girl. Knew it was a good fish instantly. Can’t believe I got two fish like this. In the same week. She’s smaller than my last but an amazing catch for here. I noticed. These two girls mouths were perfect. The ponds get heavy heavy pressure. Most of the fish I get have destroyed mouths by this late in summer. I’m so happy. And to catch them on jigs I’m tying myself puts me over the moon excited.