Tmmytomato

In addition to the excellent suggestions from other posters, DO NOT try to over cast the lure. Trying to get too much distance can easily result in more birds nests. The better quality the reel, the less likely to have as many backlash issues. Shimano Caenan is a much upgraded version than their previous model of the same name and won't break the bank. There are a few good baitcasters available that are very affordable. Get the best you can afford and you'll soon forget the few extra bucks you spent.

You won't always feel a bump or a tick but sometimes just s different pressure, and it's really tough when you feel nothing because maybe the bass picked it up and moved toward you. That's the most difficult bite to detect in my opinion. I have a friend who is extremely good at slowly dragging his bait or dead sticking it and suddenly there is no feeling whatsoever - he sets on it and catches a good number of fish with that negative feeling as if somoeone just cut your line without you knowing it and there is no sensation of anything. I have caught my fair share doing that as well over my 70 years. No matter how much time you spend on the water you'll never be perfect but it's a little more fun when you have more positives than negatives.

Yes, that has happened but usually not that blatant. Partner and I were fishing a tournament a few years back working down a bank as you mentioned and had a boat jump in front of us by about 25 yards, knowing we were heading that way. I had a good bite in a bush in prefish that I did not set on - sure enough they tossed into the bush I was working towards and pulled out a five# which I just know was the same fish. Words would not have mattered - but they were guys I knew well.

I had many Arbogast Mud Bugs and relied on them a lot. But I used the bomber much more than the Mud Bug. Problem with a lot of those baits back then was they would roll up if you added too much speed. I still have a couple Scorpion spinner baits - short arm and really good for barely s-l-o-w rolling. Ward used to trail an Uncle Josh split tail eel on the back. We also threw a lot of 6" Jelly Worms and 7 1/4" FlipTail worms. Oh, and Little George tail spinners.

Is it a trick? Haa - that's a hoot. Follow up ready with (as previously stated) a fluke, a single tail grub, lipless crankbait, flutter spoon, Senko.

I have about maybe ten Jitterbugs, some old wooden and some newer plastic in a couple sizes. I have put a feathered treble on the rear of a couple of them and it seems to help the catch rate. I have also added a split ring between the hook hanger and the hook to give the fish less leverage to toss the bait once hooked - seems to help in keeping them pinned. I love the big black Jitterbug but throw four different colors.The Jitterbug is a classic.

When do I fish a tube? Always and forever.

I would SERIOUSLY doubt a Super Line hook was straightened by a seven pound bass - or any bass much larger than that. I have straightened a Trokar on 20@# braid when hung up. Tokars ore sharp but not the strongest. I have no issues with VMC, Owner, Gammy and Mustad especially in the Flippin' models or lines designed for heavy cover/Carolina Riggin.

Owner Hyper splits rings are excellent.

I have not had a problem with straight shank VMC Flippin' Hooks. The Owner Riggin' Hook is a heavier wire wide gap hook also. Both are available in 2/0 and 3/0 on up in size. You might get better success with a straight shank flippin' style hook.

I have over four dozen various Shimano reels so you can see where my allegiance lies. Anything from a Curado up through the Core (discontinued), Chronarch series, Metanium, Aldebaron and Calais - changing out bearings is a waste of money and time. Shimano is known for their bearings which really are second to none. If you have a slightly lower grade reel in their line you might notice a difference. The spinning reels I have are the Soros, Stradic, and Sustain, all of which I'm happy with. As far as the Poison Adrena - I do not have one but do have some Exprides I have been very pleased with - extremely light and sensitive and many actions to choose from. I also have the GLoomis NRX rods, the IMX and the EX6 series, the Shimano Cumara and Crucial rods. They each have a place for a technique. And I certainly won't spend $500 on an NRX rod fro crankbaiting. Had I not had super pricing on a few of those I wouldn't have spent the money but they are a dream to fish with. I am very impressed with both the Shimano Exprides and the GLoomis E6X rods.

Sounds like durability should be secondary if you are catching that many bass on whatever brand you are using. I would stick with what works and what you have confidence in considering most frogs are below $10 per. If you use a $5 frog and get little or no action, how good of a deal is that? You don't have a "problem" at all but you might have if you change frogs. Who knows?

Owner Riggin' Hook is definitely the ticket. I use it on a couple of craw-type baits and tubes that are very short but thick and need the wide gap with a short shank. Excellent suggestion from Tom.

Thanks to those who have posted about this day to remember our brothers and sisters in arms who have indeed given the ultimate sacrifice. Many of us will bar-b-que and drink beer and celebrate a long weekend but were it not for those who gave all we would not have this day of remembrance. Semper Fi 1967-1973

You seem to have done everything everyone else has suggested. I have to wonder if changing to a strait tail fluke or a single tail grub might have helped. It sounds though as if it was just one of those days.