FishTank

Here is Plat's shipping rates. Registered Mail would have been the cheapest. https://www.plat.co.jp/EMS/EMS-2016.html Not sure why but the only option for me was FedEx. I got my stuff in about a week. I placed my order on January 27th of this year. I was sent a link in my email to pay. Here is another odd thing in the email...... [Important] When there will be no payment seven days or more, we may cancel an order, without doing the preliminary announcement to you. We appreciate your understanding. Your parcel is shipped by DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid).

Again, Plat did not give me a choice other than oking their email. Also, checked EMS to the US for my order on Plats website, $29.

On my last order from Plat, shipping was $24. They shipped it FedEx. I was emailed the cost after I placed the order. I was also not given a choice on shipping. My order was $65 plus shipping. It would have been about the same or less if I had ordered from Daiwa US but they did not have the parts I needed. Also, I would call Shimano and tell them it broke. Maybe they can work with you on it.

Even though the paint coming off these baits is not ideal, I'm willing to bet they will still catch fish. Personally, I would expect better from Lucky Craft. Maybe after the town they are located in was leveled by an earthquake, some processes had to be changed in order to continue production. The ones below caught well over 100 fish each and I finally decided to retire them but the finish on both started to come off after the first fish. The bass didn't seem to care.

I have the 17 Chronarch MGL and its been a solid reel but its not worth the $299 they are now asking for it. There really isn't enough in the reel to separate it it from the Curado. I hope they do resign it though. Currently, who would choose it over a Bantam or a Zillion, especially at the JDM price?

I have several LC lures and I have only had issues with the Lightning series. I think the one I was using was a Pointer in a chrome color but this was years ago. One day of catching sauger and it was toast. Other than that, they have been fine. Here lately, I've been using a Pointer 78SP in Sexy Chartreuse Shad. Its taken a beating and looks just fine.

Out of the ones mentioned, I have Dobyns Sierra Ultra-Finesse 700C and its been pretty good so far. To me, it has the right action to cover most BFS fishing, fast tip and a soft middle. It is great for hard baits but some of the really small softplastic takes some getting use to. I think, just like regular bass rods, I started to divide BFS rods in the same kind of categories, lure type and lure weight. The only thing is you splitting some really fine hairs when comes to which rod, reel and line you use for particular baits. Finding that one rod that does it all for the baits you want can be challenging.

Ya. The new colors are awesome and actually make more sense to me than the previous versions. I will pick some up at some point. My only thing with this bait is that it's a snag magnet.

How about a BFS forum section all its own?

Megabass, OSP, Raid, Deps, and Jackall have raised prices on a few of their baits as well. For example, the 3in 1/2oz Megabass Dark Sleeper is now $8.99. It was $6.99. Another odd example, a Strike King 10XD is now $17.99.

My wife bought me a few boxes as gifts over the years and I believe the first one I received wasn't bad but after that it wasn't worth it and I had to tell my wife to not getting me any more of them. The stuff in them was just odd to say the least. Some of the softplastics seemed like one offs. A few of the Karl's branded ones worked pretty well but were not available to buy just by themselves. It seemed like a good idea but just poorly executed.

I use EWGs mainly, from a #2 to a 6/0 depending on the hook and what softplastic I'm using. I have never had an issue with hook ups with EWGs but you can put the wrong EWG hook with the wrong plastic. @Bird's picture is a good explanation of the right way. With that said, I do use straight shank hooks like the Owner Cover Shot for thinner worms. I've not had an issue with this hook but most straight shank hooks lose fish for me. Hook ups are great but I've had more fish pop off on these hooks than any other. I think I have tried pretty much evey brand and style. I can't really explain it.

I'm guessing the 20lb braid is too light for the reel, lure and rod you're using and is probably digging in. It would be equivalent to 6lb mono in diameter if you are using something like 832. I would try a different line first, maybe 12lb mono or 15lb fluorocarbon.

A few days ago the Hook Up Tackle had gift cards 20% off. Apply the gift card to any rod or reel, instant sale on gear that has MAP pricing.

That would definitely work but the wind at both of these lakes can be a factor. If I use a 1/8oz weight with a regular 5-6in worm (not a senko), it may never hit the bottom because there is either too much chop on the water or the wind has blown us out of position. As far as getting hung up goes, the bottoms of these lakes were once forests and banks were a dumping ground for the broken up concrete roads and old construction near it. The fishing can be good at both but challenging.

I thought of another one..... not fishing for the conditions you are given and fishing the same way as you usually do.

When I'm in a boat or kayak.... believing fish only live/feed at the bank or that they hold to structure all year round. Sounds goofy but I know one too many fishermen that just continue to go around the bank never thinking fish may be in water deeper than 2-10 feet and I use to be one of them. Caught this one last Saturday in about 20 feet of water about 150 -200 feet from shore between two secondary points leading into a cove.

I don't get burned out but I can get frustrated with some lakes. There are two my buddy loves to fish but the bottom of the lakes are snag magnets. It makes fishing any bottom contact bait difficult. One thing I do at my local ponds and lakes, is I to try something new every time I go. It sort of becomes like practice. I work on figuring the bait out, the right retrieve, what rod, reel and line work best and just bring a different mind set. Its fun and I don't get tired of it as long as I am learning from the whole situation.

Sounds like fun. Enjoy.

I'm always one reel to one rod. I don't keep surplus reels. Parts yes but not reels.

2.75in X-Zone Swammer or a Megabass Spark Shad with a 1/8oz 1/0 or #1 Keitech Mono Guard Jig head. I have caught too many crappie on this set up. It can be a problem when you are targeting bass but it's still fun.

I use to sharpen them but gave up on it unless it was obsoletely necessary. Most stock hooks on baits are not that great. If it is a special bait that is just worn down like a bladed jig or an OSP spinnerbait, I try to judge the overall condition of the lure and then decide to either replace it or sharpen the hook.

Nope. You should be good. I use 10lb leader all the time.

Not necessarily. The reel just feels loose and broken in, again a flex feeling.

I got my Father's Day gift earlier than expected. My wife somehow knew exactly what to get. One of the best Bento Boxes ever. The Toyo Megabass box is really cool and it just has a ton of good stuff.