Dangerfield

I've tried a few different line to line knots, and I don't have good results. I prefer the Alberto to the Dbl-Uni and the Albright. I've tried the Blood knot, which I usually use if I'm not on the water. I'm at the point we're I'm going to remove the braid from my reel and run straight co-ploymer or fluoro - I did it on my jig rod and I feel more confident in my set up except if I get a snag deep in the spool then I'm screwed. Anyone have any tips on a knot stronger than the blood or alberto knot? How does the Yucatan knot, J-Knot or Surgeon's knot compare to the FG? I've got the *** app on my phone, I can tie a knot, just not sure if it will hold up after repeated casting through guides.

have you tried the Winn wraps from TW?

I vote 735, because I'm super biased and bought one for those exact techniques. I cast a couple of small hard swimbaits, Spro Rat30 and BBZ-1 Shad, although they're more like wakebaits TBH. I wanted the 734 but my local shop didn't have any, I primarily use mine for all types of jigs. I'm going swap out the FC Sniper, soon for some braid when froggin season arrives.

they look like great rods, just not widely available. How do you like the grips?

Abu Garcia Ike series rods, no one talks about them. They look great, can't speak on sensitivity as mine is a cranking rod, awesome reel seat, its nicely balanced, it's relatively light as I never get tired using it. The handle length is great, the foam is nice. The guides aren't the best but they're tough as nails. I'd be interested in a the Power series but I never see reviews on them.

I've caught a few smallies on mine, it's the ayu one with a purple bottom. I've also got it snagged a bunch of times so the chin below the line tie is pretty chewed up but it still works. I prefer the 1oz option, my brother caught a 22lb Norther pike on the white/chartreuse version. Swims like a Jig, pricey but it works. I cast them out and drag the bottom and reel up any slack. Couple of pops and bang, fish on.

I'll throw a crankbait just about anywhere, isn't that huge bill there for a reason? Cast and get hunting. Now I'm not throwing it directly into coontails if I can see them. But I'm also not afraid to get one hung up when I know there are fish in that spot. The way I see it, the more deflecting a crank does the better, it is a reaction bait after all. I usually get hook ed up right as I turn the crank, on the fall or on the way upwards back to the boat. Top choices - Spro Little John or a Duo Realis M60 series. I also have some DTs that are in rotation, just no hook ups yet.

I wanted to chime in as it's still 'Spring' and we're gearing up for bass opener on my lake next weekend. I know there's a huge Vision 110 following when it comes to jerkbaits, but I wanted to share 2 other contenders. The 1st and my personal preference is to the Duo Realis 100/110/120sp and a close 2nd would be a the Jackall Rerange. Their shape is almost identical to the MB option, they aren't exact copies as they each have different attributes. The colour variety is good across all 3 options, Jackall offering around 8, DR with roughly 20 and MB around 40 or something insane. I would give MB an advantage in the paint/colourway department - they are the leader, Duo has some unique colour patterns that aren't shared across each bait size. For example, I really liked the Twilight option but it was the 110sp, and not an option in the 120sp. I ended up with the 110 Neo Pearl and the 120 Midnight Blue 2. The Duo has some of the best stock hooks I've ever seen, they're super sticky and feature a matte finish. Also, I have not tested the floating options yet, I might grab a 100 or 110 when the water warms up this summer. The Duo comes in 3 sizes and the smallest being a 2 treble bait instead of 3 and it doesn't feature the magnetic cast system. Jackall has a few other offerings too, the Dowzvido has a smaller slender profile and the bill is built into the nose of the bait, while the Squad Minnow has distinctive shad profile and the bill is separate from the nose of the bait. Anyway, just wanted to share some experience I've had with both. I have Rapala Shadow Rap shads (and the deep option) that produce. They're just not as durable, the bodies crack and the hooks are trash. I replaced all the hooks on my Rapala jerkbaits with Mustad KVD Elite Series Triple Grip Treble Hook because they were the best option outside of the X1 and X2 options ($$$$).

To the guy complaining about hooks on a premium bait I get it, the hooks MB puts on the 110 line are garbage but I've seen worse. Check out any crankbait lure from Evergreen, they have some of the worst quality hooks and they're just as expensive as MB/Jackall. But don't hijack dudes thread just to complain. There's 2 phrases that come to mind with buying expensive anything, 1) pay to play and 2) buyer beware. Do your homework first, this is like complaining about putting premium gas or sport tires on a sports car lol. Duo Realis is one premium JDM company that I would say is almost on par with Megabass from a quality perspective. The reason I chose and will choose DR again is because they come with some of the stickiest, sharpest hooks I've seen on a bait. I just picked up 120sp and a 110sp for roughly $15-17 a piece, they ain't cheap but I get the fries and shake with my burger. Same quality hooks and split rings on the DR 110 pencil, M65 and M62 crankbaits. To answer the OP, I always check the manufacturers site to see exact specs and match based on my budget.

If you had the choice between 12-15lb YZ Hybrid and 12-15lb Big Game, which would you use for a dedicated crank/jerk/treble hook rig? The big game 900/1175 ft spool is ULTRA cheap or I can get 12-15lb Yozuri Hybrid 275 ft spool for twice the price. Trilene Sensation looks like a decent option too, any have any experience with it?

Came here to vote Fuego but the Casitas is a great value compared to Daiwa's offerings at ~$100. I avoided Shimano due to the braking system.

can someone break down the major differences between FC Shooter, Sniper & Assassin? Also, anyone used the FC Crank?

I read a couple of old thread (2014 & 2017), which I chose not to bring back from the grave but I might give cranking with braid the green light with the drag set around 50%. I've gotten used to what a rock, a branch and grass feel like when a crank deflects off cover, excluding the Duo Realis G87 which has a unique feeling of it's own. I've lost more lures this year due to knot or line failures (braid side of the know and fluoro side of the knot and knots in general). It's getting frustrating to say the least. But common sense keeps telling me to find a good fluoro and run it straight on this set up. I love how FC Sniper knots and it's super strong, I may go upto 14-15lb lose some depth but feel more confident in the overall set up. Thoughts?

I'm going to give that a shot, I'm almost out of leader material and when I'm done I may just run straight fluoro or mono. I'm going to test this tonight and report back how it worked. If it's a PITA, I'm running straight. They're coining me Johnny Knotsville, cause they all run straight braid.

I've found no matter how I tie this knot by the end of the weekend I need to retie. It takes a beating going through the guides and line guide. It's stronger than a double uni for sure, I might have to buckle down and learn the FG.

this. I love mine, I feel like there's a bit more refinement on the Tat, but if I did it all over again, I would be just as happy with only Fuegos.

My FIL uses one for his heavy lures, 168 s-waver, 50 sz spro rat, the BIG ass whopper plopper, megabass magdrafts etc. He's got his on a 6.5' or 7' St. Croix Premier Heavy. IMO, it's a big game reel, if you're fishing for northern pike or musky. Pairing the right rod is key.

thanks for the input, much appreciated. I was told to back off the spool tension knob as well to not create a flat spot. Have any of you heard of that?

I think I would have more rods than reels.

What do you ladies/gents do with your gear after use? Do you rinse your reels, or just wipe them down and dry off? Take em off the rods and store them? What do you do with your lures? Rinse, dry off or throw in the bag and pack it in? I clean off any debris and dry off my reels and rods. Store my rods with a sleeve and leave the reels on, no glove. My lures I never leave in the sun even when on the boat for a day of fishing. I just wanted some insight on your general habits and practice, especially from the guys with more experience. I just bought new gear and want to keep everything in working order and looking new.

You want a Smallie Killer grab a Megabass Dark Sleeper. 1/2oz will do you justice for smallies but TBH I caught a 4lber on the 1oz versions.

What do you mean by heavier stuff? Like Jackall Gantarel or Hudd 68Special? Or a-rigs? Or punching/flipping heavy cover? I'm a braid to leader guy, because I don't have many set ups and I have confidence in the approach.

I like them both, if money isn't an issue I'd go for the Tatula. The extra bearings instead of bushings make the reel smoother than the Fuego. It's not like the Fuego is a dog without them tho. On 2nd thought, if money isn't an issue, say yes to the bait moneky and buy 2 Fuegos, 6.3.1 and 8.1.1. Without knowing what tackle you use, it makes selecting a rig a little challenging. I've got 2 right now, one is a wet noodle for crank/jerk type baits (medium/moderate) and the other covers my jigs/swimbaits/topwater(heavy/fast). Check my sig. You could take the best of both worlds and go with a MH/fast action rod. Pair a 6.3.1 reel and you've got a great all around set up. Disclaimer - I'm no pro, I fish a boat, I've been at it for 3 years, but I put in hefty fishing hours over the wknds. Fish dusk (4 hours) and dawn (3 hours) almost all weekend.

yup, but now I've been on the water with both for at least 15 hours

Tatula has 2 more bearings, one in each knob and it has the T-Wing system (line guide). Shiny finish. Fuego same chassis as the Tatula (aluminum), and has a regular circle line guide. Matte finish. Ninja edit: I own both, there's little to no difference between the 2. My next purchase would be a Fuego and upgrade the bearings in the knobs or swap the handle out for a Daiwa Winn or Lew's Winn.