Doubles

Got out for the first time this year, on a metro lake. Water temp was 55 degrees. Saw some beds. Picked up a coupla bass here & there, some 15 inchers. Then it happened. My buddy stuck a big one. Just under 22 inches, fat as a football. Biggest bass I've ever seen. Man, this pre-spawn fishing sure is fun.

Lots of good posts to this so far. I have braid on every reel I own. Some have fluoro leaders. Right or wrong, here is what goes into what I’m doing (much of which has already been mentioned): *Hi Vis braid- used for line visibility. Not for the fish- for me! I’m a line watcher, and my eyes seem to get worse every day. *Fluoro leaders- I use these ahead of braid on my spinning gear. Mostly for finesse techniques such as senkos & neds. Braid floats, so I prefer fluoro to help the bait sink. Fluoro’s abrasion resistance is another reason. Another is that if I get snagged- on a dock or on rocks- it’s much easier to break off fluoro, which I would prefer to do than to risk snapping my rod or cutting braid and leaving several feet of my line in the water. *I also like fluoro leaders on my jig rods, chatters, and jerk baits. *Straight braid- used on all topwaters. Sink rate is a non-factor, and I want the strength of straight braid when winching fish through pads or reeds or other slop. I think of my gear as the tools needed to get the job done. Some are better suited for some techniques than others. Others may not be the best tool for the job, but you can still get by. But it always comes back to confidence for me. To quote the immortal Crash Davis: “If you believe you're playing well because your getting laid or because you're not getting laid or because you're wearing women's underwear, then you are!”

832 Ghost. White line, and as Darth-Baiter said, can't miss it. Love that stuff.

I am interested in a couple of your rods. Are these available yet?

Options to 'hide' braid: As Functional noted above, a braid-to-fluoro leader is a great option. Probably the best option. Another, when using fluorescent-colored straight braid- color the last 3-4 feet or so with a sharpie.

Anybody have this rod? Wondering about others’ feedback on this rod as I’m considering picking one up. Seems it may be a bit more versatile than just being a frog rod. Thanks in advance for any input. 30-60 lb braid 1/2 oz to 1 1/2

This rod gets pretty good reviews for jigging. Any thoughts if this could also double as a frog rod?

Need to stay below $200...

Looking for recommendations on a rod that I can Flip / pitch 1/2 oz to 1 1/2 oz baits. A rod that could double as a frog rod would be even better. Not looking to break the bank here, but more bang for the buck. Thanks in advance for any reccs.

Hypothetical- Say you’re heading to a body of water you have never been on. Conditions are pre-spawn, but getting close. You are limited to 3 spinning and 3 bait casting setups. What do you have tied on to start? Here are mine: Spinning 1 - Senko Spinning 2 - Ned Spinning 3 - Drop Shot Casting 1 - Swim jig Casting 2 - Spinnerbait Casting 3 - Texas Rig

Looking to pick up a new Daiwa Salamandura SV 70 reel. I would like to use it as a versatile, all-around rig. Is there a rod versatile enough to be used for 1/8 oz need rigs that also shines throwing 3/8 - 1/2 oz jigs? I’m okay spending a decent chunk of money for the quality here, but would really prefer to stay below $250 if possible. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Looking for recommendations for the most reliable / reputable Japanese tackle shops. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Okay, I am not a fan of fishing with fluoro. I don’t like the way it feels & handles. That said, I know it has become a necessary evil. I like fishing with braid, and have it loaded in all of my reels. Here is my question: Can I just put fluoro leaders on the reels I have braid loaded on? I mostly fish 3/8 jigs, soft plastics with 1/8 oz weights, ned rigs on spinning gear, and 3/8 - 1/2 oz swimbaits, and senkos. And which fluoro should I buy for these leaders? And how long should the leaders be? All these questions indicate how rattled I am at the prospect of using fluoro. Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Hello- I’m exploring tackle storage options. I fish as a co-angler, so I’m looking for somewhat compact storage options that still hold quite a bit. Specifically, looking for a great solution that organizes my terminal tackle yet is still compact enough to bring along while a co-angler. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

I'm starting to get into jig fishing. Love throwing a 3/8 oz jig with a craw trailer. My question is this: I am throwing these on braid. Should I be using a fluoro leader? Thanks in advance for any responses.