Happybeerbuzz

Straight Fluoro will get deeper for sure. If you want to use braid and leader while still getting just as deep, pick a different lure, but that tends to mean a bigger bill and more work on the retrieve.

That is too many wraps. It would be difficult to get all of the braid to constrict into the leader. Any unconstricted braid is basically slack in the knot. 18 or 20 wraps is the right amount.

See a doctor and do what they say first snd foremost. With that disclaimer in place, this is what worked for me. My tendinitis was in my outside left forearm and ran down to my wrist. The first time it flared up, I did many of the things that have been recommended (ice, wrist brace, advil, etc. ) until it went away in a couple of weeks. I tried to rest it, but part of me thinks I am still a young man. Eventually, it healed. However, after the third or fourth flare up, I started the quest to cure myself. While I was actually injured, there wasn’t much to do except wait for it to heal. However afterwards, I followed some advice for a preventative measure. I read that tendinitis could be caused by an under developed tendon attached to a muscle in an antagonistic pair. The stronger muscle just runs the weaker tendon ragged. The suggestion was to weight train the weaker muscle and tendon once it was healed. I started putting my left forearm on the edge of a table with my hand hanging over the edge and a 10# dumbbell in my hand, palm down. I did about 3-4 sets of 10 reps every other day focusing as much weight on my pinky and ring finger as possible. I haven’t had a flare up in years. This thread just reminded me to start doing them again so thanks for that!

In theory, I would feel comfortable pair 40# with as low as 10# fluoro, but I can’t imagine where there would be an application. 17# would be no problem.

It will be interesting to see what the auction sites will have the previous generations selling at in a year as people upgrade.

Have you checked Nextdoor app? It’s amazing what people will post to a neighborhood based social media app.

If your family member was wrongfully cited, they should try and get it dismissed. If they can’t, it is probably good advice to just pay it and go on with your life. Life is too short.

In my on again, off again relationship with fluoro, 2026 is an off year. For leaders, it is Big Game up to 12#, and Defier for everything beyond. So far the catching seems at the normal rate and size.

BPS Egg, Strike King Hybrid Hunters, and the Jackall Riser are all in the starting line up for wakebaits. I have a new BPS Wake Up Call that one of the kids got me for XMas that is trying out for the team. The Hybrid Hunters have gotten in the game most though because they are duel role lures.

Happy Father’s Day! I feel privileged to follow in my father’s footsteps everyday. My own father has passed on but I continue to be inspired by him to be the best father I can be.

Why did I wait so long to learn about rod crafting? If someone has a little crafting ability like wood working or model building, it’s very doable. When I went through the process of extending the handle length of a rod, I discovered the process is closer to an assembly process more than a building process. All the effort goes into the design process which can be aided by just replicating an existing rod. There is cost savings for quality to be had in addition to personal satisfaction of fishing with some you made yourself.

I always threw sinker stops on to my online orders when it need a be little to make free freight. I didn’t realize how cheap they were on Amazon. I can just use multiple to avoid slipping at that price.

This might be a silly thing to obsess over, but I am about to have to replenish my stock of them and am taking recommendations. I don’t recall which brand I have been using, but they seem to slip a little bit when I use a 3/8 sinker on 12# Big Game.

I have a Diawa DX Heavy (2-8 oz rating) collecting dust. It handles baits in that range well. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for me. I just don’t have it in me to make long casts with baits in that range all day. WRB warned me that it was a lot of effort for the occasional big reward. After a couple of seasons, it turned out that I am not that kind of bass fisherman.

Columbia & Huk guy here. I have tried the cheap stuff and concluded that the UVA material that wicks will never feel as good on my skin as cotton. While the branded material might feel slightly better on the skin, the real difference is the cut/fit. Despite any discomfort compared to sunscreen, I am committed to head to toe sunwear including pants and gator. Even with sunscreen, the sun beating on you takes a lot out of you. I use to go home after fishing, and I was worthless for the rest of the day and evening. When I started covering up, I can come home, shower and still do other things for the rest of tge day.

I am uncertain about Flouro and continue to go back and forth over the years. However, I have been leaning pretty mono lately. So much so that this year will be all mono. Specifically, all Big Game and Sunline Defier Armilo in honor of Catt and WRB for all I learned from them.

I have one Shimano Cardiff that I used for throwing big swim baits. It has been a while since I have thrown them hence the past tense, “used”. I generally use 6.X for cranking. I will repurpose the Cardiff once I admit to myself that I have quit on big swim baits.

I have had the same exact experience. I have only ever bought one spool each of 8, 10, 12, 15, and 20 pound Red Label so maybe I got steroid batch, but I feel like I never need to use a 20# leader because the 15 is already a hassle to break off when I get snagged in the riprap.

Anyone have any strong opinions on these? It occurred to me that I have more skirt material for tying jigs than I will ever use, and my wife has yarn needles to spare. I could mindlessly make more of these baits than I could use while watching videos.

Congratulations! Awesome accomplishment!

The videos I watched and things I have read on the Strike King elastomer say that it is significantly less buoyant than Z-Man Elaztech because of salt content. Glenn, is that your experience?

I wish there was a way to see 1000 close up, slow motion videos of the hook set in a fishes mouth, but there isn’t. Until then, I will continue to go back and forth in my mind about what is more valuable, straight pull of a straight shank or room for the soft plastic of an EWG. Like others have said, I haven’t noticed a difference.

I have seen some videos with underwater footage of floating lures rising up on the free rig. Can anyone recommend some specific baits? Also, what line and what hook are you throwing it on?

Thanks for the link. I have some of these heads but they are not ideal. The head is small but not very pointy.

Long live the Delta Rats!!! Weightless Senkos are always a top option on the Delta all year. You need something weighted in the neighborhood of 3/8 to half for high tidal coefficients. I have a red bladed jig specifically for March, April, and some of May. I use to throw a jerk bait a lot this time of year, but my aging hands prefer that I didn’t. Sometimes I will switch out the Senko for a fluke, either weightless t-rig or nose hooked if I am wacky rigging.