Brett's_daddy

This would actually be for a spinning reel setup...to start (until I get more comfortable with my bait caster). Can I go over the recommended line size for my reels (i.e.-if my reel says 10lb. max mono/flouro could I use a 15lb. and obviously get less of it spooled)?

Okay, what line size/type do you use for a size 90/130 Whopper Plopper? I've hear some use 30lb. braid, wondering what you'd use for flouro...is 10lb. enough?

1990 Sea Nymph FM161, 16ft. aluminum boat.

How difficult are these to install yourself on the side console if you are not very mechanically inclined...doable or should we have it done at the dealer?

Do you have to rub the salt out even? It sounds like it's made that way for a reason. I just don't want to alter the product unless it's truly necessary.

I spoke to the dealer and he said if i stop by tomorrow he'll put in some spacers to bring it up off the carpet so it can breathe.

So I bought the 2 bank 8 amp charger for my boat and had a dealer install it as he was doing other work too. He mounted it underneath my center console and the wall he mounted it too is carpeted. In the directions it recommends not to mount it to carpet as it needs to breathe...should i have this moved or is it fine where it is?

I've heard that you should stretch out the Zman TRD baits and run them under water to rinse some of the salt out of them so they will stand up better on the mushroom jig...is this true or does it not make much difference?

Probably more crank bait fishing than top water but of course that depends on the success I have with each technique too.

I have a spinning version and like it, very smooth. Lew's generally puts out good products so I would assume while not being as good as more expensive models that it would still be a solid reel with no issues.

Is it possible to use a Moderate action cranking rod for top water lures like Whopper Ploppers and other larger top water baits? I need a new rod for some deep diving cranks and Cabelas has a KVD Tour 7'4" MHM glass composite crankin' rod that was $100 on sale for $40 that can handle lure weights of 1/4oz. - 1-1/2oz. which sound perfect for me to use for the deep cranks and maybe swim baits but wasn't sure if it would work well for those ploppers and such.

It’s all about color! At least that’s what a lot of people will tell you. My question is there a definitive answer to what color bait/lure should be used in daylight/clear water and what should be use at dusk/murky water? Does it depend on the style/type of bait being used? I’m thinking what makes sense to me is a lighter/brighter color for dusk/murky water as it would be easier for the fish to see and a darker color for brighter/clear water conditions as again, it would stand out more than a lighter bait that would blend in. Maybe I’m all wrong about this, lord knows I’m no master fisherman and hence the question. It seems whenever I ask somebody else I’ll get a different answer each time so I figured I’d try my luck here .

Yeah, I'm wondering if it might be a geographical location thing too for both size AND color. I know up here in Vermont we have a lot of perch and rainbow trout...wondering if those color schemes would be better than the bone, loon and monkey butt that seem to be the most popular in general? If the 90 doesn't swim right though it might be a waste to not get the 130 size...of course this necessitates me getting a new rod that can handle that size of a lure...sigh, where does all the money go...lol.

Okay, so I'm thinking of getting a couple of the whopper plopper lures (Bone and Loon seem to be the best color choices) and am wondering what size between the 90 and 130 that people have had the most success with so far?

One thing to consider, if you ever need replacement parts it's A LOT easier to get them for a Lew's reel than it is for an H2O reel. I've heard somewhere that a big name company makes replacement parts for the H2O reels but so far nobody has actually mentioned the name of said company!

I've heard as far as the Whopper Plopper goes that the best colors are: Loon (black), Bone (white) and Monkey Butt. Not sure if this is a geographical location type thing or if the success of these colors transcends that and are useful everywhere but with all of the reviews on these that I've read those seem to be the most sought after colors.

Spike It does glow under water, at least it makes Powerbait glow something fierce when you dip them in it...will the markers glow as well as the juice, that I couldn't say but if they're cheap enough it's worth a shot. This makes me wonder if my JJ's Magic dye could be painted on hard bait lures?

Okay, some people are saying on certain crank baits that you should give them a "hook treatment" which basically means removing the existing treble hooks and replacing them with a higher quality version. My question is, what is a higher quality version...not THE highest quality as I don't want to invest more in the hooks than I have the actual bait itself but better than stock? Also, what size and brand split rings would you recommend or are the stock ones generally good enough?

What is the rear hook treatment? They have rear hooks.

What do people think about the H2O Xpress baits...specifically the cranks, top water and hard jointed swim baits? They look as good as the name brands and are half the price.

Actually the 6" Savage Gear swim bait is 1.5oz. so that clearance Lightning Rod should be able to handle it as it's rated up to 1.5oz. For $16 it might be worth it, than I could judge just how often I'd be throwing those bigger baits and judge whether I should upgrade to a better heavy rod next season.

The problem is I'm not sure how often I would be using this rod so I hate to spend a lot (to me anything over $100 is a lot of money) of money on a rod that will be used half as much as my main Medium rod. Another thing is this rod has to fit in my small SUV so anything longer than 7'6" is probably not viable. Another thing I might do is buy a 6'6" MH Lightning Rod Shock that has a lure weight of 3/8oz. - 1 1/2oz. which will allow me to throw the 6" Savage Gear swim bait, it's on clearance at Wal-Mart for $16...that would at least give me a chance to see how much I'll throw the swim baits and see if it warrants me getting a better rod next season.

I'm thinking of getting a Heavy action casting rod for the heavier swim baits (like the Savage Gear 3d line through) but not looking to spend a ton of money so the rods I'm looking at are as follows: Berkley Lightning Rod Shock (7'6", lure weight 3/4oz. - 2 1/2 oz.), Bass Pro Graphite Casting (7'6", lure weight 3/8oz. - 2oz.), Cabelas Tourney Trail (7', lure weight 3/8oz. - 2 1/4oz.) or Cabelas Fish Eagle 50 (7'6" Xtra Heavy, lure weight 1/2oz. - 2 3/4oz.). All of these are right around the $55 price point which is right where I want to stay as I don't know how often this rod would get used for other than the medium to large swim baits and maybe large deep diving crank baits. Which one out of those would be best? Also would my Lews Tournament Pro be able to handle the 65lb. braid to throw those bigger lures?

I know for a lot of us the season has just begun but thought this might be a fun post to start. What do you think is the "IT" lure of 2016 and let's add a twist, how about we separate it into geographic locations (i.e.-Northeast, Southwest, Southeast, Northwest)?

Okay, I'm new to the world of bait cast reels. I definitely need a lot more practice but I think I've done some things right...most people said for a beginner to start with a nicer reel with better options/brakes until i get comfortable, check...got a Lew's Tournament Pro speed spool. Most people recommended that i start off spooling it with mono in case i have to cut out backlashes because it's cheap and i won't be wasting expensive line, check...got some of the Berkley Solutions casting line in #12 as it was the cheapest line in my local tackle shop. People suggested I start off with casting plugs, check...got some 1/2 oz. yellow plugs I've been using. Everyone said set both magnetic and centrifugal brakes all the way up until i get the hang of it and then slowly start bringing them down as I get better/more confident, check! Now comes the question of how/when to adjust the drag? My reel has the click star drag adjustment on it but I have no idea how to use it or when to use it. On a spinning reel it's easy, the drag adjustment knob is on the front and you basically pull the line out until it moves freely but still has a good amount of tension, turning the drag knob forward or backward a click or two as necessary until you get to that point, this is usually done before you start fishing with it and generally (depending on what size fish you're catching) is left alone after that...is it the same premise with a casting reels star drag system? I'm not confident enough to actually fish with my bait caster yet but practice makes perfect...or at least better...so hopefully I will soon!