jr231

DONT WHIP IT ! You want a nice smooth motion... Using your thumb is called feathering the spool.. The spool tension is a bigger deal than your brake system ! I rarely use any brakes but always adjust my spool tension for the lure I am using.... I don't have my thumb on the spool while my lure is traveling... Only lightly press (feather) as the bait hits the water so it doesn't get the over run. Tighten your spool tension just a bit til you get comfortable with your casting motion. And then ease off it as you get more comfortable with it.

If I'm not mistaken it is lake trout and brown trout mixed... Right ?

Lol no sir ! Cuz I stuck her pass the barb with the slightest pull !

I wouldnt use cheap hooks either ! And I like using braid for nearly every application. Especially single hook and topwater. The sensitivity, casting distance and no stretch strength allows me to hook up with a weightless plastic at full length of my cast rather easily.

Lol your first sentence.. I just pictured him setting the hook like that on a total dink and it goes flying out of the water

If you want one that bad. Free line a 3" sunfish. Or do what the above post says. Pretty much your options.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/17/record-bullseye-snakehead-florida-broward-canal_n_2895621.html&ved=0ahUKEwiApoHIm6nTAhUGQSYKHYfMAugQFggaMAA&usg=AFQjCNH7iW7qKgbhhAYj7ZIqexSaP8GHmQ&sig2=uOCVZlGGVeX3cepy0lN_hg Record bullseye found in Broward county FL. I guess the record for northern snakehead is just over 18lbs. The bullseye was found electroshock at over 14lbs with the record being just over 12 by hook and line. So. Not too much difference. @soflabasser can go break this record

Mike, bullseye snakehead are all over Florida ! Which are non native Bowfin are very similar and are native to North America. Im not sure how snakehead were introduced but I do know they are all over the country and Florida is prime territory for them ! Google Florida snakehead, and find a canal near you that holds them !

Rage chunk is my favorite in the summer. I also will use a 3" kalins grub

2/0 ewg for the 4" is perfect for both wacky and Texas. I use the rings for wacky .. it saved me from a skunk just the other night ! 5" is my favorite... I'll reach for the 4" though if Ive been fishing for awhile without a bite.

Every retrieve possible until I find what they want..! Sometimes they want a straight retrieve slow or fast... sometimes hopped on the bottom.. could be lift and dropped drastically . I like kalins lunker grubs. I know a smallmouth guide who swears by the x-rap! This is a great value jerkbait.

Yum warning shot , keitech live impact, Berkley gulp alive shad , GY kut tail worm, 4" senko all very good choices for dropshotting. Don't get too wrapped up in colors. Pick some naturals and some contrast and go catch some fish ! Grub on a jighead and a jerkbait are other things you should try for smallies.

^ right !!! Details are missing.. are you on a boat/watercraft or land ? Lake , river , pond ? If it's muddy because of flooding, bass usually venture shallow exploring their new playground. I reach for a yellow perch shad rap. The fluke will work though if you know where the bass are . but Just aimlessly throwing a fluke in a big muddy lake is probably not the best idea.

Designed for baits. Stuff is the real deal. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mend-It_Softbait_Glue/descpage-MIG.html?from=basres

Get some mend it .

If you do I'd use black, bubblegum or pearl

You definitely can !??? I've had much success hopping it off bottom and pulling it though weeds. Lol this notion that you HAVE to use it like a spinner bait makes me chuckle. Even if that was "how it was intended to be fished when it was designed " there's more than one way to skin a cat brother . Chatterbaits are awesome. I like the "freedom" versions where you can swap hooks .

I'd go south.. your odds of a double digit increase more than slightly !!

I knew right away it was a bomber. Besides rapala they are my favorite cranks.

Ummmm.... It's impressive regardless of circumstances! Seen as how the world record is 22+ pounds. And bass have been confirmed to get 25 + lbs... This is not far fetched to me at all... Seen as how it is a FLORIDA bass and a very high percentage of "huge" bass in this country are Florida strain.... I'm gonna guess 28" ? Lol My PB was 24". I doubt I'll ever bust it in Ohio. Maybe I'll come down to Florida and do some bank fishing soflabasser style. Kudos to the kid . Right place right time. Happy for him .

My PB technically isn't even half of that. And it was huge to me ! Lol. What was the length do ya know ?

I have a couple tips for ya... Fish a jig more often ! Because even in the north I've found them to work year round... You don't need many colors... Black, green, brown will get it done everywhere. Rage tails and zoom pro chunk are all I need really . Lots of action and then a more subtle action. (Swim jigs I like single tail grubs) Try the strike king bitsy bug with a rage chunk this summer. You'll catch numbers and some nice ones. Green pumpkin with a black chunk is my favorite.

Awesome ! Is there a picture somewhere ? Any details ?

I work for a private contractor remodeling homes. Often looked down on by people with an abundance of money... As if I'm a dirty peasant. But if it wasn't for people like me they wouldn't have a home to live in or a car to drive ! Work, family and fishin.

Tom, someone can say this on just about every thread lol At least it wasn't favorite color senko, and be ready for the incoming whopper plopper threads this summer