jimmyjoe

This is the beginning of learning. jj

I've been lucky. I had good fishermen to start me out over 50 years ago, and I have a few really good friends that I can count on nowadays. We're all different, we're all crazy, and we all use each others' equipment if we're curious about it. That's valuable beyond measure. Do you have friends who have equipment you could try out, just to see whether you like this or that or the other thing? The reason I ask is that you can get all the advice you please here, but it's just people's opinions. If you can go out and actually use some of this stuff that you're wondering about, you'll not only get real answers, but you'll get answers that you know apply to you. jj

Fishermen have used spinners for over 80 years, used swivels for over 80 years, and caught bass for over 80 years. Swivels don't spook bass. One thing I'd like to ask: why did you mention fluorocarbon and braid, but not nylon monofilament? (Just curious.) jj

I bought the H rather than the MH power because I fish places where there are pike or musky, and I wanted a rod with "authority". It's hard for me to explain "authority" except to say that there is no doubt in the fisherman's mind that the rod will handle whatever comes their way. I use 1/2-5/8 oz. spinnerbaits, Mepps Musky Killers, 1 oz. Dardevle spoons (a specialty with this rod) and various 1 oz. trap-type and shallow-diver lures. I plan on getting Giant Killers and 1-and-1/4 oz. spoons this winter. The rod is rated 1/2 oz. to 1-and-3/8 oz. for lure weights. I know that some rods feel like they can handle more than their rating, and some feel like they're over-rated. This particular rod feels like it's rated just about right. As for swimbaits, I don't use them, so I can't comment. The 110-size minnows are 5/8 oz., which is a little light for this rod. It'll cast them OK, but not the greatest distance. (I'm biased; I'm a shorecaster, and I like a little distance.) The 190-size is over 2 oz., and way too heavy for this rod. It will probably be too much for yours, too. I don't do topwater. However, I use twitchbaits. This rod does OK for that. One last thing: you said you have smaller hands. Try out any and every reel that you are considering for this rod. Depending on the line you want to use, you might be better off with the TranX 200-series. Just a thought. Personally, I'd make sure any reel I'd buy for use with that rod would be a heavy-duty design. And of course, it needs to be saltwater-safe if you expect it to last. I hope everything works out for you. ? jj

If you have big hands, try the Ambassadeur 5500c3. The 'glass blanks are large diameter, plus the trigger on the 8'-08" rod is a palmer configuration, which in some peoples' opinion is better with round reels. These reels are fine for saltwater, and they're easy to maintain and lube. If you have smaller hands, try the Shimano TranX. I have the 300a, but you might like higher gear ratios, or you might like the 400-size TranX. It's also OK for saltwater. The heavier St. Croix glass rods are very versatile, and they're fine as long as you pay attention to the weight limits that they publish. Good luck! jj p.s. - I have my 300a on a St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass 7'-02" Heavy/Moderate. I love that combination!

Nice update. You've given insight into the one thing that no one can know about a reel when it's new: longevity. Thank you for that! jj

Today I went fishing with a friend. We fished side-by-side, targeting the same sand bar in the river. He used a white twister-tail on a 1/8 oz. jig, and I used a 1/2 oz. chartreuse floater/diver. We had equal success. Why? Location and timing. Presentations were different, bait types were different, and colors were somewhat different. But location and timing were spot-on. jj

Because some subsidiaries have more autonomy than the others. jj

An oldie but a goodie! ? jj

Some will, and some won't. I'm VERY selective in my use of Berkley products. I might be wrong, but I think most other people feel the same way. jj

I've heard that judicious use of large-denomination bills helps ....... ?? jj

Q: "Where was it, Jim?" A: "It was right there in front of my face, and I didn't even see it." ????? jj

I'm interested in this, too. My interest is in the height of the thumb bar, because I have arthritis. I have a TranX 300a right now, and I see in the picture that you have a TranX 400, which is the same exact height. Could you please tell me, how does the height of the thumb bar compare? Thx. jj

For two years, I tried different small-form-factor spinnerbaits, looking for something that wasn't fragile but as close to irresistible as possible. I found it. Strike King Li'l Mr. Money. 1/2 oz. total weight. I use any hole-in-one style skirt that I please. jj

Yesterday was warm, and I caught four. Today a front came through, and I froze my ears and fingers. I caught six just the same. Three of these ten were nice, hefty fish. What I noticed is that they didn't feel cold; they felt "moderate", or warmer than I expected. So I'm gambling on an extended period of good fishing, right into the late fall. I'm not gonna argue with that! ? jj p.s. - yesterday was a sand pit, and today was the Mississippi.

True. Thirty miles west of me there is a small college town with students from all over the world. Accordingly, there are small ethnic groceries that have sprung up to accommodate students' tastes with native merchandise. The Koreans think the Mexican peppers are too hot, the Thai think the Korean peppers are too hot, and the Mexicans think that both of the others are too hot. It's all in what their bodies are accustomed to ...... and how things are prepared.

If you've already done a chicken, I would assume that you've watched the videos and understand what you're doing. But just in case: WATCH OUT, BE SAFE, AND KEEP ALL KIDS AWAY!!!!!! Other than that, it's great. ? jj

For some reason (and I don't know why) the best jerkbaits for me are ones that rise. Yes, I did fish some true suspenders this year (very little) and I always have fished the Rapala Countdown, which is a sinker. But from ice-out to ice-up, day after day, I get a better average result on the floaters. Remember, however ..... I'm a shorecaster. That makes a difference. jj

If you're going to be using trebles, start with nylon line. I would start with 12 lb. test Big Game, but that's just me. Some people hate Big Game. The thing is, you need some "give" with trebles. InvizX has "give", so if you want to try fluoro, I'd go with InvizX. I've used it and I like it. As for copolymer lines, I don't know one with stretch. Other people will undoubtedly chime in here, and you'll probably get more advice than you know what to do with. That's what's great about this place; you get answers looking at all sides of the problem. ? jj

You told us what the fish that you missed were. That means you could see them. And THAT means they could see you. They spooked. Happens a lot in clear water. jj

Tapatio. Great on chicken, seafood and pulled pork. Now you got me hungry again! ? jj

Go to the top left corner and click the "menu". When "fishing articles" comes up, click on that. The info contained therein is wide-ranging, detailed to a degree, and very reliable. The videos will let you see things as well as hear about them, and sometimes that helps immeasurably. The reason I'm telling you this is that we, as a community, don't have any way of knowing exactly what it is that you don't know. And right now, maybe you don't, either. But as you read those articles, you'll get a much better idea of what applies to you and what doesn't. After that, you can pick and choose the details you want to ask us, and you can be sure that we'll be here to help you. ? Good luck! jj

That should be about perfect for 10 mil line. That may have something to do with it. Very little line tension on the retrieve. Not sure. Like @roadwarrior said, it sounds like you did everything right. Lots of fishermen on here use braid for dropshot, although maybe not 10 mil thickness. The greater diameter might change the characteristics enough compared to what other people are using that you're getting weird results. Try another braid (lower diameter) and see what happens. If the other braid is a lot better, then you know that it's the thickness. If not, then I have no idea. ??? jj

1) It depends what size spinning reel spool you're talking about. If I were to use .010" braid, I'd want a spool diameter of at least 50mm. And let me be specific here; that's an absolute minimum of 50mm. In other words, 55mm doesn't hurt. As I said, that's my opinion. 2) It also depends on your casting distance. Some boatmen are satisfied with 50 feet. I'm a shorecaster. I want as great a distance as I can possibly get. One other thing: are you using a lure with an intermittent retrieve? If so, you'll have problems with both monofilament and braid, but less with mono and more with braid. The lay of braid (and the twist of braid) on spinning reels is much better with a steady retrieve. Good luck! jj

^^^^ This! ^^^^ jj