links_man2

I like the Gamakatsu Finesse Wiide Gap 3/0 hook and Zoom Trick worms or Finesse worms. Also, my local lake has very heavy salt cedars in all of it so I need a weedless hook. I tried the Gamakatsu weedless finesse hook, but the weedguards came loose too easily in the salt cedar. I also always use an o-ring rather than hook through the worm. Worms last much longer. I started tying on a loop of cheap 50lb mono as a weedguard that works pretty good, better than the regular weedguard.

The following was Doug Hannon's response to this question: Quote: "is red line like Cajun red cast really less visible to fish than regular low vis green mono? " Many gamefish have a heightened sensitivity to the color red. It is the only color known to increase the strike reflex in fish, and, as such, has a place in lure presentation. I don't buy that it would be good in a line color, because typically we do not want the line to be noticed. The fact that it disappears at depth does not mean it is rendered invisible. The red is simply replaced with black. I would favor pale green as the least visible line. Doug Hannon Think the key point is that unlike what they advertise, it does not "disappear", it simply get black. Probably same thing with red hooks.

I have 3 Citica's and like them all. No problems at all.

I just hook it through the o-ring and not through the worm. That is the purpose of the o-ring, to keep from tearing up the worm with the hook.

Ihaven't tried any of the BPS reels, but have 3 Citica's I am very happy with. Liked them even better after I broke them down and relubbed them. Factory lube job is just too heavy.

I have done it both ways and can tell no difference in hook up ratio. So I use o-rings exclusively now to save worms. I do feel that I get more hook ups by using a 3/0 Gamakatsu Finesse hook I tie some mono on to make weedless. I had tried some size 1 Weedless Gamakasu Finesse hooks and missed many more fish with them.

Locally, Lowes and Home depot had the best selection and best prices for o-rings. They were in plumbing section Lowes was cheapest locally at $1.29 per box of 10 o-rings. Also BPS has a good wacky tool at a fair price. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=95042&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

I have tried the Gamakasu Weedless wide gap and the Gamakatsu Finesse Widegap (not weedless). The weedless wasn't weedless enough in my local lake which has heavy salt cedar down to about 20'. Also, a size 1 was the largest I could find locally in the weedless version. I found the Finesse Widegap in 3/0 which I like better and then tied on some cheap ($2.15 for 150 yards at walmart) 50 lb mono to make a weedguard. I have attached a picture (I hope). This has been much more weedless and it seems I get more and better hook ups with this than the off the shelf weedless. Also, best place I found for the o-rings was at Lowes or Home Depot. In plumbing supplies they have small boxes of 10 o-rings all sizes for $1.29 to $1.97/box. Auto supply stores have them, but they wanted about $.50 per o-ring. They have several sizes, but I use the smallest for Zoom Finesse and Trick worms.

Best price I found for rubber O-rings is at Lowes $1.29/10, next was Home Depot $1.97/10 and they were same brand as Lowes. They were in the Plumbing supply section, small clear boxes with 10 o-rings. They had a fair selection of sizes and were much cheaper than auto parts stores who wanted $.40-$.50 PER o-ring.

I read some where that Fluorocarbon does stretch as much as mono, but that once stretched it does not go back to the original length like mono. I have not tested to see if this is the case, but it would explain why Fluoro would be more sensitive than mono.

You have to pull them up until the rim that sticks out the side clicks between the two points on the side of each brake. Hard to explain without pictures, but you will feel it click over the point on the side when you get it up enough.

Sorry, but red does not become invisible to the eye, it turns black. At least this is what Doug Hannon says happens.

SWIFF-Try Power Pro braid. I use 50# (size of 12# mono) for heavy cover on my baitcasting reel. I use 20# (size of 6# mono) on my spinning reel. Nice thing about braid on the spinning reel is that it does not twist like mono. Nice thing about the 50# braid is you can raise the lake bottom if needed. If you do go with braid especially the 50# put a heavy wooden dowl in your boat to break it with if you get hung. You will cut your hand or break your reel if you try and pull it loose with these. Usually the line never breaks, the item you are hung on does or your hooks straighten. Also, with 50# braid loosen your drag or you will tear the hooks loose on a hard hook set.

Geeeeeez---I am going fishing to clear my head of all this. Mindless cast and catch fishing.

Check around, they make split ring pliers. They are like needle nose pliers but have points to seperate and hold the split ring while you slide the hook off/on. They will save lots of broken finger nails and speed up the job. I know local Academy and BPS carry them. Here is link to 1 of the 3 models BPS carries: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=27365&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults. Also, I always try to match new hook size to what was on the bait. Be careful, larger hooks & EWG hooks will tangle together, affecting bait action and hooking ability.

I don't use a spinning rig a lot, but I have enjoyed it much more since I switched from mono to Power Pro braid. Eliminates the twist which I hate. I do use a 3-5 feet mono/flouro leader.

Think if you will check, you will find that red line/lures do not disappear, they simply lose their color and become black. Here is a quote from the Professor section: Quote: "is red line like Cajun red cast really less visible to fish than regular low vis green mono? " Doug Hannon's response: "Many gamefish have a heightened sensitivity to the color red. It is the only color known to increase the strike reflex in fish, and, as such, has a place in lure presentation. I don't buy that it would be good in a line color, because typically we do not want the line to be noticed. The fact that it disappears at depth does not mean it is rendered invisible. The red is simply replaced with black. I would favor pale green as the least visible line." Doug Hannon

I recently picked up a 320 and really like it. Also, what was nice is Academy has been having them on sale for $136---makes it really nice.

Saw a tip in Bass'in magazine that said to seal cork grips, spray them with Armour All. Said to use 2 coats and buff lightly waith fine sandpaper after each coat. Haven't tried it, just passing it on.

I use Rod Wraps (http://www.betterwaysproducts.com/index_home.html) on all my baitcasting rods. Not so much to protect the cork, but it gives you a much better grip especially when wet. I think BassPro has them but their web site keeps being down everytime I try to go there. I have used the tennis wraps and they are better than cork, but while cheaper, they don't hold up as well as Rod Wraps IMHO.

Been using the Uni-Knot for 30+ years and have never had a reason to change. It's as strong as any other knot I have tried and is simple to tie, even in the dark. Use the Uni for lures and the Uni-to-Uni to join lines/leaders. I don't like knots that take 5 hands to tie----too much of a fumble fingers I guess.

Been using Gamma Copoly 14 Lb on baitcasters for about a year and have had no problems. My local lake is full of salt cedars and it has done well in that environment.

Been using the 14# Copoly for nearly a year for everything but soft plastics and have really liked it. I use KVD Line & Lure and between the Gamma and conditioner I don't notice much memory other than like lately when I haven't fished much.

Best thing I have found is to use a rodwrap. It is a "leather Like" very tacky product you wrap over the cork or entire rod. I wrap my rods when I get them new since I like this much better than cork, esp when wet. I have had some a year and still look good, they cost about $3.50 per rod. Name is "RODWRAP" made by Better Way Products. Their web site shows a list of dealers in each state. Bass Pro is supposed to be a dealer I couldn't find it on their web site. You could probably ask Bass Pro customer service for the item # to find it if you have to order online.

Agree with Bassboy---softsided is by far better. Especially with some of the newer Plano/Falcon boxes. The new Plano's with angled dividers and the Falco for spinner baits and the one for worm hooks/weights are good. Also, many of these are thinner so you can get 5 or 6 boxes in a soft sided bag. Lots of flexibility. And when all else fails, I had a softsided brief case that holds 4 Plano boxes perfectly---being retired that was the best use for a briefcase---lol.