BuzzHudson19c

If this is usually where you fish I would suggest switching to braid. Don't let them run around and hang you up, pull them out. This is easier to do with a stiff rod and baitcaster. But if you are running a spinning set up and are dead set on 10lb mono, I usually tighten my drag almost all the way down and once I'm hooked up give the fish some drag if I need to. I have 8lb mono on my spinning reels and couldn't tell you the last time I broke a fish off. Even had a surprise 10lb channel cat a few weeks ago. Not sure if and when your going to snap line but if it has been working for you don't worry about it. It's not a problem until it becomes a problem.

I usually slow down when this happens. Jerk baits and stick baits(Yum dingers etc.)

I've yet to buy one but I should. I do have a whopper plopper double buzz. I caught a stubby fat (3lb) smallie last week and that bait was thrashed afterward. I wasn't even mad because the wire on that thing was so ridiculously folded over I had to laugh.

I fish from a kayak, so I tend to pick spots apart, especially if I know I'm on fish. But like with anything it really depends on conditions and where I am. For instance last week I fished a lake with a lot of camps with small docks. There was a little wind and it was overcast. Instead of throwing jigs and soft plastics and taking my time I took maybe four casts at each dock. Ran buzzbaits, spooks and frogs down the sides and had a great day. On the other hand I fished a river today and we have had a bunch of rain so the current is ripping. I paddled to big current breaks where my kayak would stay still and tossed plastics into the current. Circumstances dictate tactics, but if I had to choose I like to exhaust all options in a particular spot before moving on.

If I'm looking to walk a frog, I sometimes run a loop knot. Makes it a little easier.

I would agree with this. When I'm on the river after smallmouth, it doesn't matter. Smallies tend to annihilate buzzbaits. Most of the time the wire comes back mangled. If I'm on a lake and targeting largemouth I get more slurps and short strikes. The stair step design may help in those cases.

Depends on what you are trying to catch. Pan fish, sure. Bass, no.

If I'm having a hard day I make a point to stop and think instead of blindly casting lure after lure with the same result. The tough days are where you learn the most. But yes, I agree that I am never bored when I'm fishing. "It's supposed to be hard." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhGDiJJeCNA

Yes you can. I like pumpkin jig with black and blue trailer.

That's awesome man. I have my first child due in about a week and can't wait for days like that.

I will be working 6am to 6pm. Nothing more American than working on a holiday. I love this country and don't take freedom for granted, so everyday is the fourth of July.

What lb and brand are you running? I have never had braid cut off by anything but toothy fish and I will run as low as 20lb. If this is a concern, run a flouro leader.

I use Power pro and have no complaints. Stay away from Fireline.

From the sound of it I would suggest some heavy line too. I like braid (40+) or a braid to flouro leader. If they have that bait, you want a line strong enough that you can drag them to the top fast without getting hung up.

If the snap doesn't effect the action of bait, go for it. Most of the time bluegill and other panfish are biting my line while I'm bass fishing, they aren't that smart.

Oh, I just remembered another thing that annoys me when fishing, Canada geese. They are everywhere and I get annoyed I have to wait until September to start killing them .

We used to dropshot 3in grubs into absurd holes between rocks and pull out rock bass. Those things get in the craziest places. My take on this, because it has happened to me, is you feel a hit and go to set the hook but the fish didn't get all of the bait. So the bait flies out of the fish's mouth and gets hung up on something. When you get it free do you still have a hook and the plastic bait is missing? Tail biters. If you're texas rigging make sure to tuck the tip of the hook. Then when you feel a hit, wait for a two count and set the hook. Let them get the whole thing.

Weeds, pond scum, looks like pea soup? All good things in my book. Frog, frog, frog.

I've had fish hit right at the boat but today was a first. I was burning a buzzbait back to the yak thinking I was out of strike zone. As I pulled the bait out of the water a nice smallie jumped about a foot out of the water and grabbed it. Scared the hell out of me and I couldn't stop laughing.

Well aside from too much wind, it's other people. Maybe it's just my Northeast attitude, but I don't want to talk to strangers when I'm fishing. "Hey, how they biting?" or "Beautiful day isn't it?" I get people are just trying to be nice but internally I'm thinking "GO AWAY!"

If I'm targeting river smallies I almost always start with a buzzbait. If there is a lot of current I like soft plastics with a light weight cast into the current and drifted into breaks. Medium current, same thing but weightless. Wide slow rivers, I go with spooks, cranks and jerkbaits. Don't count out frogs if there are weedy coves.

Sounds like competition to me. You value something other than strictly price and your mom and pop fills that role. Free market my friend.

I check Walmart first. If they don't have what I want, I head to Field and Stream. My Walmart carries Booyah pad crashers, Field and Stream doesn't for some reason.

Depends on the lure. I always use a snap when throwing a spook. I never use a snap when throwing a frog. Circumstances dictate tactics.

I have never used electronics. Structure, current, baitfish activity, bird activity, wind and a multitude of other things. Time on the water can teach you a lot.