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.

Hey y'all- I need to place an order for some hooks. What are your favorite hooks to use for these baits? Brush hog / creature bait Soft jerk baits / flukes Ned Rigs Drop shots Thanks in advance for any recommendations...

Awesome, thank you! Any idea if the G3N transducer would be compatible with a Helix 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N? Reason I ask is because I have the Helix 10 in the back of my tiller Pro V. I want to add another locator, while moving the Helix 10 from the back of the boat to the bow…

Hey guys- I have a chance at a good deal at a Helix 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N. Is there much difference, performance wise between the G3N & the G4N? Thanks in advance for any feedback… Should add that I am not using Mega or any FFS with this unit. Ultimately, I need to decide if the G3N is good enough, or is it worth biting the bullet and paying significantly more for the G4N…

Howdy- I'm questioning whether I am getting the most out of my rods and the applications / techniques I am using them for. I mostly like to Texas rig plastics (Brush Hogs, etc), Jig & pig (typically 3/8-1/2 oz), senkos, small Arkie jigs, spinnerbaits, and I'd like to learn to fish flukes this spring. I'm fishing in the northern part of the country, Minnesota. Given this arsenal, which application / technique would you use for each? I currently have braid on every rod I own, and I'm open to using other types or going to fluoro leaders: Spinning Rods: Phenix M-1 7’8 M X-Fast (Shimano Miravel 2500) 1/8-3/4 oz 6-12lb Kistler KLX 7’ ML (Shimano NASCI 2500) 1/16-3/8 oz 6-10lb St. Croix Avid 6’3 M X-Fast (Shimano Symetre 2500) 1/8-1/2 oz 6-10lb Casting Rods: Falcon Cara Weightless Worm 6’7 MH (Shimano Scorpion 100) 1/4-3/4 oz 12-20lb Kistler Helium 6’9 Lite MH (Kistler Reel) 3/16-5/8 oz 12-14lb Phenix Feather 7’7 MH (Tatula CT) 1/4-3/4 oz 8-17lb Falcon LowRider 6’6 (Shimano Scorpion 100) 1/4-5/8 oz 10-17lb Thanks in advance for any feedback!

Silly question I am looking to get answered: I have a Helix 10 4GN on my boat, looking to add a Helix 9 4GN up front. Do I need to mount a 2nd transducer, or can I run them both off one? Thanks in advance for any help...

Looking for recommendations for a new finesse setup. I like 1500 - 2500 sized spinning reels. Would like to find a nice 6’ or 6’6 rod to go with it. Looking for a sensitive, fast-action tip with with decent enough backbone to land 3 - 4 pounders. Not gonna be spending $300 on the rod, but would like to find something decent. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Hello, I really enjoy throwing plastic crawfish. One of my favorites is the Lake Fork 4" craw, in watermelon seed / chartreuse pepper. Gonna be doing some fishing next week & don't think I'mma have time to order some of these. What are some of your favorite plastic craws?

The two best days in a boat owner's life: The day he buys it, and the day he sells it! Best of luck with the search!

Asking for a friend... So neglecting some regular maintenance on his trailer has caught up to him. He's not mechanically inclined at all, but after this will definitely be learning how to do this himself going forward. Anyways, on to his question: Had a wheel bearing failure going down the road. Repair shop says he needs a new spindle, drum, and bearings on one side, need bearings re-packed on other side. Quoted him $560 all in for parts & labor. Just wondering if that seems to be in the ballpark of being reasonable. Thanks, my 'friend' appreciates any input...

I'm a big Power Pro fan and a line watcher. Their green line is next to impossible for me to see unless light conditions are just right. So I switched to their high-vis yellow line. I also take a black permanent marker and color the last 6-8 feet of line black. Not sure if it makes any difference or not, but it's much harder for me to see the black line in the water than it is the yellow. And maybe, just maybe, the marker fumes will stone the bass so much that their judgement gets impaired and they get the munchies.