Airman4754

I didn't even know they were supposed to. Looks like I might be doing it wrong...

I use a 25 Supreme XT on my Ned setup, 30 Patriarchs for both drop shot rigs, 30 Supreme for the split shot rig, and a 35 Patriarch on my shaky head rig. Find the size that fishes the pace you want to while still being able to get in a solid hook set quickly.

If you plan to drift fish you need a sensitive rod, or you need a lot of experience timing what weight goes through what water at what pace. Bobbers don't require much. Anything over 8'6" is complete overkill and makes it annoying to land fish in a boat or on the bank. My dad landed two steelies over 22lbs and I've caught one over 36". The average steelhead is 8lbs on a great piece of water. I use an 8'6" Lamiglas G1000 Medium for drift fishing with an Abu 4600C4. I have an Okuma SST 8' Medium for bobbers. The SST lineup is going to be the best bang for your buck. PM me if you're interested in some used stuff. I have an insane amount of river gear and I don't live in the PNW anymore so I'll probably never use it again.

I strongly recommend a Power Tackle Football Jig Special. Insanely good rod. It might be a touch over your budget, but it blows away my NRX 894 for sensitivity dragging jigs.

You might just have a bad batch of braid. I just stripped off some 20lb hi-vis off of a custom spinning setup I had built. I couldn't cast a 1/4oz shaky head more than 15 yards. I threw on some 15lb braid from a different spool and it casts like a dream now. It's rare, but it does happen.

I've been using the same 6lb Inviz-X leader for about three weeks and have caught a lot of fish and broke off quite a few jig heads and it's still going strong. I normally use 6lb CX, which has always been bullet proof as well.

One of the few places in North America you can sight fish in 20ft of water. There are some monster spots in there too!

I'm a Phenix guy for the most part, but the SCV blanks are awesome for sure.

I used some actual split shots on Saturday with a 2" crawfish plastic. It wasn't official, but it officially worked the same as a mojo.

Just caught this 4+ pound fish on my lunch break. 35 degrees out. She hit it on the fall, set it, came off, hit it again dead sticking, came off, hit it again dead sticking and finally landed her. PB&J Ned.

Fish, fish, fish, and fish some more. Big baits aren't guaranteed to catch big fish and little baits aren't guaranteed to catch little fish.

No, I do the opposite of long arming when I take pictures. I don't know what it weighed. I had a couple buddies with me when I hooked her and told them to get a camera ready as soon as I set the hook. I might have had her out of the water for 20 seconds. I would guess it was in the 6-7lb range.

8lb CXX, you won't beat it for that application. 21lb break strength, .12 diameter, no stretch, and the best abrasion resistance out there. It's actually manageable without line conditioner as well. Oh, it's $8 for 300 yards.

When was the last time someone won a tourney on something that isn't carried at Academy or Dick's? Homemade stuff excluded. Cabela's is two miles from my house. I went there four times to turn around and go home to order from TW like always. Academy always has the same inventory, it's actually in stock, and it's cheaper. Sure, I don't have a gazelle on the wall staring at me at Academy, but I somehow manage.

That's what I did. I actually caught more fish, including that big one today with the skinny end going into the jig head. The Ned is so simple, yet so good. The biggest thing for me is it gets me back into a rhythm. Throwing a jig, swimbait, or big worm can result in a lot of casting practice. Now I can throw a big fish bait, pick it back apart with a drop shot, and end with a Ned and I'm confident I did all I could with that piece of water.

Same. The bruiser I caught today was from shore. Fishing is fishing.

I just tried the Zinker cut in half today. It works, but they tear up way quicker.

Hit a good fish this year. I've caught hundreds but they've all been turds. PB&J Ned rig.

Drop Shot

I've noticed over the years if you're in a spot getting hammered by wind and you get a mud line going there will be big spots in it. They fight so hard too. Good job out there!

12lb CXX. You can straighten out the hook on your chatter bait with it.

12lb CXX is insanely strong. I use it for glide baits and haven't ever had a problem. 8lb CXX is rated at a 21lb break strength and is what I use for magnum cranks. 10lb YZ hybrid is the best line I have found for square bills.

The M1 rods are a little more parabolic than the Recon line as far as comparing actions and speeds. If you are vertical drop shotting it doesn't matter what you use. If you are casting a rod that isn't labored at all up to at least 1/4oz is ideal. Most bites you won't even feel so an instant notice in the weight of your line will make things much easier. If it's already loading up and labored from your normal setup there is a lag when more pressure is added.

I run straight braid on my flipping, two top water, swim jig, and A-rig setups. Everything else with braid has a fluoro leader with an albright knot. I learned how to tie it first and I've never had it fail so I haven't even attempted to learn another. I have been in multiple situations fishing clear water where a leader has made a huge difference as well as line diameter.

Calcutta, Curado 300E's, Cardiff, Lexa, Beast, or Super Duty wide spool will get it done with ease.