rtwvumtneer6

Yep... I have 3/8oz jigs with 1/0-4/0 hooks in them. You can easily make a large bait smaller, but making a small bait larger takes a lot more effort.

That makes two of us! But yes, it's been very mild this far in Western PA.

A few that haven't been mentioned... SK Ned Bug Gambler BB Cricket Net Bait Paca

Are you talking about the knot Gerald Swindle promotes? Something like a double clinch knot? If so, I tried it when I first saw it. This is going to sound crazy but I had it let go a few times on my back cast. The rod would load and it would just let loose. I was using 20# fluoro. I would end up with my bobber stop and a crimped piece of line where my knot was. Never once a line break. I slobbered on it, tied it carefully, checked for damage, etc. I don't have to lose very much tungsten before I jump ship. Started using the double Pitzen (videos form Klein and Grigsby on YouTube) and have been with that for 2 years now.

What are you using it for? Punch? Ned? Trailer?...

You may not get as much capacity as advertised. That's about all I can think of.

I know you asked for a box, but have you considered speedbags?

I can make my 7.4:1 reels work for just about everything, but if I intended it for moving baits I'd go with the 6 speed. For a while I was running 2 pins on, 2 off and adding a little extra spool tension. I put my ego aside and went to 3 brakes, but let up on the tension. That seems to be my sweet spot, and the SVS dial is adjusted accordingly based on conditions.

I'm seeing 120/12 for the spool capacity. 50# braid diameter is typically equivalent to 12# mono... Maybe I'm looking at the wrong specs? Flippin/pitching, frogs and buzzbaits would all fit the bill.

Hey, me too! Maybe we can have a non-resident meet up!

Looks like you're only a few hours away from me (I also fish Glendale once in a while). Anyway, feel free to PM me any time, and welcome to the forum! -RT

Absolutely agree with that. Speaking generally for my home waters. In PA I've had the same pack of black/red flake beavers for probably 4 years. Black/blue or black/purple (shhh) is the deal for me. When I visit Florida I'll throw Copperfield, Lane Toad and Florida 5-0. Also like a Red bug worm and Red shad, but those are red bodied and not red flake.

Bingo. I fish a lot of black/blue and the rest is bluegill imitators. Other end of the spectrum, I have zero confidence in any plastic with red flake.

I've never seen a bad paint job from 6th Sense. It really just depends what colors best fit the water you're fishing. The Flat 75 is one of my favorites. It's on the heavy side (5/8oz I believe) so it's on the upper side of the lure rating for my typical squarebill rod, but the 7'3 MHMF should be just about perfect. I have a Falcon with the same length, power and action and I've thrown them on that rod a few times and liked it. The Flat 75 will suspend when paused in the right water temp. I've thrown their Quake lipless and the suspending version but I'll be the first to admit that my lack of success there was more than likely user error. I struggle with lipless crankbaits.

"Become infatuated" sounds an awful lot like "develop confidence"

This tool has a video you can watch and decide for yourself if it may be useful... https://tyepro.com/products/tyepro?gclid=CjwKCAiAtouOBhA6EiwA2nLKHzGaskmeZGe0pL8QEgxZU3wo1ml3X8P-kYBevW9BAefUit6Jww5-thoCldkQAvD_BwE Good luck and tight lines!

So they will be in stock for @NorthernBasser to buy!!

If you've got any $$ left to buy it!!

I've weighed tackle to stay within the airline weight limits of a checked back. #22 for the absolutely minimum to keep me from a complete state of panic.

I remember seeing ring-necks quite often as a child here in PA. Stocked birds are available to hunt but I can't recall the last time I encountered a wild pheasant. Appears that the population has declined significantly over the last 30 years or so. Thanks for sharing those photos!

Don't tell anyone, but the versatility of a zoom speed worm is pretty limitless... Red Bug helps ?

@A-Jay What line clips are you using? Are they safe to reel into the line guide or up to the rod tip? @AJ Hauser ice out for me generally means runoff and dirty water. A chartreuse black back squarebill, a slow rolled vibrating jig and a black jig n pig will be a player. Gotta help them find it. In the mean time, I'll head to Florida and throw topwater, worms and punch mats and hope the warmer air follows me home...

Falcon Lowrider Lizard Dragger 7' H. The shorter 13-1/2" handle works well for me when walking the bait. Nice soft tip. Makes roll-casting a 1/2oz frog a dream. It feels a little light for a frog rod but I hit em hard and it takes it.

Most of the Outbacks are rated to tow #2,700. The 2.4 turbo model is more like #3,500. For reference, I am looking at a 17' aluminum rig. Boat, trailer and 20HP motor come in at just about #1,200. My current Forester is rated for #1,000 or #1,500 "when properly equipped". Assume that means a braking system for the trailer. Either way, I'm not pushing my luck there. The new Forester Wilderness (equipped with a transmission cooler) allows for #3,000 tow. That will allow for gear, fuel and a buddy to ride with me and still be under the max capacity. So, figure out what the rig weighs and consult your manual for specs. But (just my opinion) as long as you're not planning to tow across country I think you should be ok.

If you are looking for technique specific, can you provide the "gaps" you're referring to? The 734 will do a lot.