Boomstick

I had set mine to 14 earlier today, but that's pretty much a one time occurrence, not normal by any means for me.

Sniper and Invizx are both very good lines. Sniper is a little stiffer, but better with abrasion. I have been using Daiwa's J-Fluoro Samurai and I really like that line a lot, exceptional handling and if you're lucky you might pay around $22 per spool, definitely a no brainer there. Fluoro still stretches, but sinks and is good for bite detection on semi-slack line which are the biggest perks. It is harder to see than mono as well, which can be a negative for the angler but arguably a perk when it comes to the fish - everyone has their opinions on that so I'll leave it at that.

This year mine has changed a bit too. Aside from targeting obvious locations like lay downs, in the past I would throw search baits in active areas like points looking for fish that would bite. This year I have spent more time sitting on the same area with a drop shot. It’s caught me more fish this year than any other presentation. If I don’t get a bite in a couple of minutes I cast to a different spot and after 15 or so I will move to a different spot.

Alright guys, it's over due. What's everyones thoughts on next Wednesday, 7/13 at 8PM EST?

Assuming that the shallow spool is wider, you are 100% correct here. It will have less decreased IPT at the end of casts, since the line is spread out over a longer width of the spool and thus has less to take off the top. A narrow spool will take line off the bottom and thus affect IPT more.

I own 11 rods and 9 reels. Pretty content with my setup, might add another reel sometime to fill a fairly minor gap. That said I usually take out 3 on the kayak with me. I usually make an effort to know the lake I am fishing and where the fish should be, what the cover and structure looks like and what lures should work for where I am fishing. If I'm wrong, I'll make adjustments with what I have with me or bring different rods and reels the next time until I get it figured out. Sometimes the first day on the water is the biggest challenge to keep the rods down, and some lakes there's so many different spots I may load up as many as I can carry, but this is generally my approach. For tackle, I always carry my box of jigs (and chatterbaits) and my box of tackle with me and soft plastics. I will then fill the gaps with whatever else I plan on throwing. What I need to do is get a box that I can load with a collection of other lures I may throw but I've been bringing the box of spinnerbaits when I'm throwing spinnerbaots, crankbaits for crankbaits etc I don't fish tournaments or anything but I try to approach each day on the water as a chance to learn something like I am pre fishing for a tournament, so the next time I am better prepared.

For the most part (as another western Masshole) the bite this time of year dies down around 11am and doesn't pick up until at least 6pm, sometimes later depending on how early it starts to cool off. Dawn is generally more productive than dusk, but I'm not a morning person so I rarely get up that early. I can put you on some locations where you can get fish all day long. Are you anywhere near North Adams

They are strong but it doesn't take a lot of bend to get them right at least with most frogs. You want to make sure you bend it behind the final 90 degree curve for the hook as well.

I didn't sign up for the membership (at least not yet), it was just my first order. I recalled how @TcRoc ordered from them and we weren't even 100% sure if they were legit at the time but he said he had a good experience so I figured I'd give them a try.

I got my kid a spinning setup for his birthday and got it from Omnia Fishing. They gave me 10% or 15% off (can’t remember) for my first order and the rod arrived two days later and the reel the day after that. They don’t have the same selection but I will be using them for some of my future fishing needs for sure. Also tackledirect and tackle supply depot have been good.

A hard bottom usually means you can drag a football jig or a Carolina rig. You can in slightly soft bottoms as well but it’s not effective if there is too much muck. Smallies also like hard bottoms, usually near rocks.

My favorite topics are anything I can learn from whether it is gear or tackle or technique or location. I’m always glad to chime in when I can help too. No issue talking about what I already know and am passionate about either. I don’t really mind the repeated topics too much like line preferences. Even though I have my line preferences in place, it’s always interesting to see what others use.

If I only had one it would be the River2Sea biggie smalls in the smaller size. They have the perfect wobble for most conditions. When the fish are aggressively biting I like the Megabass S cranks a lot

The MH/F Avid is on the stiffer side. It works, but isn't perfect. The MH/MF in the St Croix line is however. In defense of the "crankbait rod", some deep diver rods do work pretty well. At least a medium heavy power and a mod fast tip. The St Croix glass rods are correctly rated as moderate and won't get you there.

If you lock your drag down all the way, it doesn't serve it's purpose. I generally set my drag no higher than 30% of the strength off my line and 25% the strength of the maximum line rating on the rod, whichever is lower.

As a general rule of thumb, whatever you throw a chatterbait on would be the same rod you throw a spinnerbait or swim jig even of the same size and weight (with trailer). A fast action that runs on the slower side or even moderate fast typically works quite well with moving baits. I see no reason why people are using the slowest action moderate rods they can find for chatterbaits. Granted most of them use braid, but when you have a heavy rod but the rod bends halfway down the blank before it gets to that backbone, how do they get any hookset at all?

Hi and welcome from western Massachusetts

I would split between my ML/XF and M/F spinning rods and my Mojo Bass Topwater 6'8" M/XF casting rod, which runs on the lighter side and throws light baits nicely. Largely, it comes down to whatever's available.

Being a kayaker, it's common I get blown away from my target spot and start off flipping but end up pitching to make up for my location change. So if I use the terms interchangeably, it's largely intentional

The Victory tapers and even many of the lengths were definitely inspired by GLoomis.

I would try clear-silver colored poppers, (smaller 1/4oz ones probably) jerkbaits, spooks or maybe a spoon.

When I use casting gear, I usually use a straight shank or neko hook. When I use spinning gear, I use the same Owner Mosquito hooks I use for a drop shot. Gets them in the side of the mouth every time.

Most soft plastics will catch bass. Some years ago, my oldest kid had a gift card to Dicks and they had some Big Bite Baits stickbaits for $1. He bought them up and still has some and has caught many fish on them. That said, I have been liking XZone soft plastics a lot lately, although on the other side of the cost spectrum. The original Senkos might still be the best stickbait. The Strike King KVD Ochos are great but don't hold up as well. Can't go wrong with Roboworm, and NetBait and Rage for jig trailers.

First I apologize, I messed up the Dobyns models. If you want to throw soft plastics into cover, the 663 or 703 is what you want, but to throw senkos and other finesse lures, the 662/702 is what you want. I don't think the 702 could possibly be too stiff for throwing a senko, although possibly for other finesse lures. The 703 would be if you plan on throwing senkos into cover with heavier line. For the Tatula line, I don't have any of the spinning rods. Their mediums do run quite a bit heavy. I do have the Brent Ehrler designed 7'1" Tatula Elite M/F dropshot rod, and that is a finesse medium and would do the trick and throw other finesse baits pretty nicely. The BG is far from a fully exclusive saltwater reel (a lot of us bass guys use them), and is similar or lighter than the Nasci in some sizes. Very solid reels, great drag. The only downside is they are a little heavy. I have one paired with a rod that is tip heavy with lighter reels and it balances out nicely. Do keep in mind that the BG 2500 is similar to the Nasci in the 3000 size, so go a size down with the BG. The Fuego and Procyon are strictly freshwater reels.

I have caught fish on all of the combos that I have bought for myself. I only buy a combo if I have a need for it. I may have a few cheaper combos I bought for the wife or just to have when friends come fishing with us that I haven't caught fish on, but I don't really use them anyway.