LCG

Weightless Senkos and weighted baby brush hogs are killing it up here in Ontario this year for me. My most productive year so far.

I debated between the Daiwa Tatula LT and the Shimano Stradic FL. Saw a lot of threads about this line lay issue and a few others issues hear and there about stem flex. Went with the Stradic FL, perfect line lay and very smooth drag. No regrets at all.

Have you tried braid to leader? Best of both world? I personally use braid to a 14lb mono leader and noticed it handles well.

I use a medium xf rated for 1/8-1/2oz lures, so in puts the rod in the medium light-medium power range. The tip is great for hooksets as I texas rig the TRD on a size 2 EWG alot. As for fighting the fish, it offers a good fight but not too much over powering either. It's a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 6'8" M-Xf spinning rod.

This and move the senko further up and over the top of the eye of the hook so that the knot is hidden in the worm. Works well, but there is still some junk here and there but not near as much.

I also have a Daiwa Fuego CT and debated between the Daiwa Tatula 100 and the Shimano Curado K 200. The spool size is very close as for line capacity. At the end of the day I chose the Curado K. The Daiwa Tatula weighed less and was a tiny bit smaller, but the Curado K felt more robust and smoother. I have no regrets.

If money is a concern, I would and have bought used rods that were two to three times the cost and got them at a deep discount. The rods were all in great shape. So looking for a high end rod at a $100 price point is doable. I have owned st croix Mojo and avid x rods. Good rods but sold them as I prefer my BPS Carbonite 2.0 rods. Check them out, they are at the same price point as the bass x, but nicer in my opinion.

I use a 6'9" mh-xf casting rod with 30lb braid to 14lb leader. My hook up ratio is pretty good, the ones I miss are either the plastic got bunched up on the hook or the bass didn't have it the bait all the way in his mouth. I seem to prefer xf action even with braid to leader, same with my spinning set up. Just adjust your hook sets and drag a bit lighter and you should be good to go.

I had a bass pro backpack that had a cooler on top that was solid. But got rid of it as I wanted to downsize what I carried and simplify what I carry. Now use a 3500 sized bag and much prefer it to carrying a ton of stuff I never used. But the best tackle backpack I have seen in person was by wind river or wild river. Expensive but very well made with lots of extras.

Ned, wacky/neko/weightless Texas rigged senko, drop shot.

I can't imagine. My condolences to you and your family. Stay strong.

This is why I own a spinning rod that's 6'8" and a casting rod that's 6'9". Best of both world, accuracy more important to me than distance. I fish from the bank and a kayak, so that also has bearing to my preference for rod length.

I would opt for the 7.3:1, can speed up or slow down. Pretty versatile I think.

I have recently downsized my tackle bag to a single Plano 3500 double sided box with beaver style baits, creature baits, senkos, and 3 spinner baits, one frog, one chatterbait, one jig, one in line spinner, as well as my terminal tackle and some trd crawz and TRD stick baits. Plenty of selection and enough rigs to cover the basics. I find this far more efficient and easier to decide what to use that is both versatile and proven productive for me.

Big bite baits creature (baby brush hog)

Some of the areas I fish are fairly clear water so I use the leader for lack of visibility, add some stretch as a shock absorber because I prefer xf action rods, and I find mono holds a knot better than flouro for me. Also easier to break off if needed.

I think it's just some form of oil to keeps them soft.

I was the same way until I realized that none of those lures and plastics saw the water. Stick with what works and less time wondering what to throw. Cover the basics and things become much more simple I find. Not to say my tackle at home is so simple though

I used to use backpacks and larger tackle bags. Recently downsized to a Plano 3500 weekender bag with a double sided Plano 3500 box. One side is for plastics (beaver, baby brush hogs, senkos, trick worms, and curly tail grubs 8 of each). The other side has 3 spinnerbaits, a jig, frog, chatterbait, inline spinner, various terminal tackle and weights, and some zman trd soft plastics. Bag hold two full spools of line, a digital scale, multitool, sunscreen, and my phone, wallet, and keys. Usually a bottle of water and a snack. More than enough tackle and weighs less than 4lbs.

Slow and smooth. It's about accuracy, low trajectory, and quite entry. Not force or distance. My pitching is 20-30ft ish and a lot of thumb control. I practice in the off season in my living room with a casting plug. Can never get enough practice.

My go to is a Texas rigged worm or creature bait with a 1/8-1/4oz bullet weight pegged. Use 30lb braid to a 14 lb mono leader. Periodically checking the line for frays, usually not an issue until a few good sized fish are caught.

It took me a full season to catch my first bass. Knew nothing at all. Then I started learning, too much at once actually. By my 3rd year I really started to understand it more. Learn one or two productive techniques and study them, practice them, become proficient. Then learn to understand the fish, where they go when and why. And never stop learning. Perfect example was yesterday. I was at a small fishing area, highly pressured and super hot. Threw a weightless Texas rigged senko into this tunnel area under a bridge and bam. One fish after another, all 2-4 lbs. One guy asked how I was catching them, explained that it's simple, they would rather be in cover and the tunnel offered a perfect place to stay out of the hot bright sun and a good ambush point for the bass. Caught 7 total until the wife called me to come get her.

Thanks everyone for the response. Looks like I have some great options and a lot of people seem to have high confidence so I will have to give it a go. Thanks again.

Right handed and use left handed reels. Just seems more comfortable for me. Rod in the right hand reel handle in my left.

Thinking of trying some tube baits for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Tried a few times but never had any bites and the tail didn't separate and have that slow expansion that I have seen on tube videos. I think it's was a power bait tube I used. Does anyone have a good recommendation for a tube that has tails that don't clump together in the water. Any suggestions regarding brand, size, and colour are appreciated.