jimmyjoe

I have a rig I've set up just for in-line spinners. I throw #5 Mepps, Giant Killers and Musky Killers, Micro Baby Girls and MDC spinners. I've always used mono until last year, when I tried Power Pro braid. The problem was simple: even with a great ball bearing swivel, I got twist buildup. It was okokokokokokok then BAM! and I had a knot I had to cut off. If that happens regularly, it's expensive! Is there any such thing as a braid that is noticeably more resistant to twist buildup? I could run anything from 50 lb. to 65 lb. test. Thanks. jj

First rule of fishing: "Fish where the fish are." After all, fish move. Second rule of fishing: "Sometimes they aren't hungry." Just like people, y'know? Third rule of fishing: If you don't know what's there, cast and retrieve an egg sinker a few times to find out. Fourth rule of fishing (Jimmy's Rule): Buy hamburgers on the way home. ?? jj

Yes. People always view others through their own eyes. Thieves think everyone wants to steal from them. Liars think everyone is lying to them. And so it goes. This can make people's comments very interesting. jj

I read a loooooong post on Bass Resource today, and something just totally crazy and freaky happened. Someone used punctuation. jj

That's like living a fairytale! Congratulations! ? jj

You're in a kayak? Carry a small bath towel. Then you can grab them from the top more easily. If you really need to, dust the towel with corn meal. That provides friction. You can keep the towel rolled up quite nicely. jj

Proof of post #1. jj

That's why I choose lines based on diameter, not test. jj

That's the way we learn. Expensive education, isn't it? ? jj

I have the 7' ML/F Avid-X, and it's my favorite rod for lighter stuff. As far as I'm concerned, it wants for nothing. Is the Expride better? I don't know. I've never used one. Maybe it is. But is a Ferrari faster than an Aston-Martin? Moot point; try using either one to take the kids to school. Good luck fishing! ? jj

Yup ....... and my Mom and Dad are long, long gone. Guess who that leaves? jj

1.) Some trebles are poor quality. Change the hooks. 2.) Some lures, like treble-hook spoons and fat balsa lures, are easier to throw. Use something else. 3.) Use a rod with a more compliant (softer) tip. That makes it easier to keep consistent pressure on the hook. 4.) If you really, really, really need to, use this "trailing hook" method. https://outdooraddictions.wordpress.com/2015/01/01/the-trailing-hook-method/ Hope things work out. jj

Wax the first 1 or 2 feet of line. That reduces the flexibility of the line. Flyline wax works well, but any old wax that changes the compliance (flex) and density of the end of your line will be OK. Be aware that it will change the flotation characteristics of your line, too. ? jj

Pick what feels better to you. Why fish with something you don't really like? jj

Look at your priorities the other way; "Which line holds up better than fluorocarbon?" Then take that list and start winnowing it for casting characteristics: compliance, distance, abrasion resistance, consistency and knot strength. Once you look at the issue from the viewpoint of balance, you might be surprised. Our ancient friends, Stren and Trilene, start to look pretty good. Unlike @bulldog1935, I was not interested in braid. But I have to admit that for light-lining, braid offers many advantages. Because the resistance of lighter lures is absolutely minimal, the sensitivity of braid is a big advantage for feeling the lure. Braid has no UV sensitivity and it doesn't shrink and expand with exposure to water. The only disadvantage that is significant is braid's susceptibility to "wind" knots from torsion buildup. That was a deal killer for me, because I use inline spinners a great deal. If you don't have the same problem, than braid might be the answer for you. Whichever way you go ........ Good Luck! jj

I feel your pain. The hardest part of productivity is understanding where the fish are and why they're there. Once you've got that, everything else just kinda falls into place. jj

Sounds like you had a great role model!! I'm sure you'll be the same. ??? jj

I'm in almost the same situation as you are; temps dropped and it's raining. The last 2 I got were on a Johnson Silver Minnow with a spinnerbait skirt for a trailer, fished slow. Caught them in less than 8 feet of water, fairly close to shore, and I saw them come up from below to intercept it. Last 2 times out, I saw 7 or 8 other people fishing. One .... and only one ..... caught a fish. He was too far away for me to see what he was using. Good luck to you. In this weather, you're gonna need it! jj

I have the Mojo Bass Glass 7'-02" Heavy, and it's an absolutely great rod. Very versatile for any steady retrieve use, and very authoritative with 1 ounce lures. That being said, I haven't handled the new Victory rods yet. Who knows ..... maybe I'll get a surprise. jj

Advertised IPT is just that; advertising. It's pretty much a fantasy, like MPG for cars. It may help for comparing models within the same manufacturer's set of reels, but that's all. Even then, it's not really accurate, if for no other reason than the line diameter problem that you stated. If you need really accurate figures, you really need to measure it yourself with the specific line you use. jj

Took five years off because of arthritis. Then I learned to use an ultralight spinning outfit for another five. It was interesting. Sometimes things that happen in life are God's way of telling you to pay attention to something different. jj

I don't use anything below 2500 size for bass. Crappie and panfish? Yeah, I use a 1000 size there, but not for bass. That's just my way. jj

Depends on what you mean by "compact". For a miniature spinnerbait, like 1/4 oz. TOTAL weight, I still use the Booyah Micro Pond Magic. For normal equipment, the Strike King Li'l Mr. Money is great for me. TOTAL weight is 1/2 oz. I think they advertise it as 3/16 head weight, but I'm not sure. I've also heard of other compact profile spinnerbaits, but I didn't pay attention at the time. They're out there. You just need to search. Good Luck! ? jj

Are you going to use braid? If so, I'd go with the guides on the Sierra. But like you said, they're both good rods. jj