Lead Head

I use the Alberto when I'm not swinging hard and have had no problems with it in that application. When using stiffer rods and big hooksets the Alberto failed on me often, so I started using the FG in those applications without issue. The GT doesn't seem that much larger to me, maybe I just need to look closer. Either way it passes Microwave guides (5's) just fine so I'll stick with it. I built my XH pitching rod with KT 6 guides because I knew in some places I fish I would want a leader.

Another trip out today with with very similar results. Used the same leaders and had zero issues. This knot is easy to tie and rock solid. 15lb setup hauled in a foul hooked 3+ lb bass. I'm excited that I have found a leader knot that can handle big hooksets and isn't as time consuming as the FG. Its honestly probably the easiest leader knot I know how to tie.

After seeing guys on here talking about the GT knot I decided to give it a shot. I never had any problems with the FG, but the GT is significantly faster/easier to tie and tested out stronger. 15lb Suffix 832 to 14lb Sunline Sniper FC using a weightless Stick-O T-rigged on a 4/0 Owner EWG hook. Landed 10 fish with a 3 and 4.1 being the biggest. That is a pretty big hook and I was slipping a tight drag on every hookset. 50lb Suffix 832 to 25lb Sunline Sniper FC using a 1/2oz Siebert Gridiron Brush jig. Landed 4 fish all small (between 1 and 2 pounds). Again a large hook and big hookset. It's a small but encouraging sample size. No failures and I was pretty much trying to break it. It passed through my guides (5 on the 15lb setup and 6 on the 50) just fine and is not noticeably larger than the half hitch portion of the FG. What are your experiences? In your opinion, did I just get lucky or is the GT actually a better knot than the FG?

If you're not breaking at the leader knot, then the leader is probably not your problem. Running straight floro isn't likely to solve your problem but straight mono or copoly might (better knot strength). Sounds like you are "crossing over" your knot, or burning your line. Bite offs seem possible as well, but I don't know anything about that.

Booyah makes one. Both regular and popping. Look for "Popping Pad Crasher".

Thanks, I'll look into it. I was strongly considering just getting a new ss sv103 and the gear/drag set from TT but now I'll start researching the 105. $300 for the upgraded ss sv103 is far cheaper than any of the used sv103 I have seen and at least the ss would be new. That's a lot to pay for old tech but the cheapest option I have found for a decent sv spool and no t-wing. I should have never picked up my daughter's tatula sv tw... The "over braked" 103 spool shouldn't bother me much as big distance is rarely a concern when skipping and flipping jigs.

Sometimes new braid can be a little sticky, I'm guessing from whatever they use to color it. Some brands are way worse than others. Try using the rod with a cast and retrieve lure for a bit and see if you can get some quick miles on it to break it in. I wouldn't think line twist is the issue with freshly spooled braid even if you did it completely backwards (however MN Fisher is far more experienced than me with spinning equipment so he could very well be right).

Back in the day I only used floroclear. After getting 2 different spools of 15lb that broke at the knot on every hookset I gave it up. It's a shame too because I really liked it otherwise. I just cant roll the dice on an entire spool failing on the hookset. This was 4 or 5 years ago. I guess it hasn't changed.

Ever seen what a 3/8oz (or possibly 1/2oz not sure) bullet sinker does when it hits your head? If your really lucky it actually goes under your skin and leaves you with some really cool (if slightly disturbing) pictures of a super caveman brow. At least that's my experience, YMMV.

If you can get to a basspro, go in and ask them what they can combo for you. Often times they will be able to combo a name brand rod with a house reel, or a name brand reel with a house rod. I have no complaints about any of their mid range and above gear I've used. Haven't tried in the last few years because I have started building my own rods but this is how I got my first lews baitcaster, paired up with a bps extreme rod.

I had a ned stuck on a submerged log. It was shallow enough I could see it plainly. As I was trying to pop it free (water was far too shallow to troll over) I watched a small bass fly in and grab it off the log. He didn't even eat it, just pulled it off the log and sped away... almost as if he was tired of watching me fiddle with it and wanted me to be on my way.

Thanks! Makes much more sense now.

Ahhh... thanks.

So now I'm confused. Are you saying the sv103 should be fine stock? I've seen them for $199 new and was considering that.

Well crap... thanks for the input guys. The search for a SV spooled skipping reel without a t-wing continues.

Do you guys think this reel could be used for pitching/skipping 1/2 oz jigs on braid? I would love to have a sv spooled reel for skipping (I can do it, but need all the help I can get) but the t-wing and I don't play well together. I just didn't know if the drag and gears can handle jig + braid hooksets.

I haven't been able to find anything that beats Muck boots for comfort. Try to find a store with a decent selection and make the trip to get a feel for what your wanting weight wise. The thicker sole (traditional boot look) is far more comfortable than the thinner one, but the thinner one isn't bad. Turning down the neoprene tops until needed also helps comfort and mobility.

Get bit lists the tip as a 7, Batson says 6, another seller (I cant remember who) listed it as 6.5. I ordered all 3... surely 1 will fit. Throwing 3/8 and 1/2 oz jigs on braid, into heavy cover. Depending on trailer I'm probably pushing 1oz. The XH has the same lower end (3/8oz) as the H and has a 1-1/2oz top end (compared to the 1-1/4oz on the H). All the 1oz rated blanks I have fished a 1/2oz jig with a pit boss trailer on felt maxed out. I'm basically looking for a pitching rod that can provide some sensitivity on the rare occasions that I cast to deeper brush piles. Hopefully this blank gives me that... time will tell.

Safishing.com is the best bang for your buck in my opinion. I wear them daily to cover the top of my head. I own Hoorag, Costa, Buff, and SA. In my opinion there isn't a significant difference between these, some of the other brands may be different (shape, vent holes, ect). I rarely wear them over my face though just on my head in summer and around my neck in winter.

Thanks for the heads up on the updates. I actually bought a dedicated card just for updating mine but haven't got to play with it much. I took the next couple days off work so I can finish installing it and check it out on the water. It seems like a great unit for $299.

If you like to put your finger under the line while fishing your t-rig avoid the T-wing at all costs. It lifts the line out of the T-wing and keeps it from spooling up correctly.

Agreed. That's why its going on the transom. Thanks for throwing that out there though, it's not like I haven't ever done something silly like launch a boat without a plug. ?

Anyone built on this blank or have one on hand? I'm looking at it for a new jig rod and have seen the tip size listed as 6, 6.5, and 7. I'm also trying to find the blank OD in the 14-16 inch range. If someone could easily clear up these questions for me it would be appreciated. I absolutely love my Immortal spinning rod and am hoping that I will love a Immortal jig rod just as much. I emailed Batson a few days ago but I guess they are having issues with our current covid situation.

Thanks for the input guys. I ended up getting the echomap plus 6cv on sale from Basspro. Same price as the hook2 5 but with a bigger screen and more features. Now I need this lockdown stuff to go away so maybe work will slow down enough I can install and use my new toy.

I guess I'm the oddball here. I trim about 1/2 in. off one leg and that's it. I don't bend the hooks out either. I throw frogs into places that make me really want them to be as weedless as possible and haven't had any hook up problems with the hooks out of the package. I'll also give you a bit of frog walking advice. For me, walking a frog is all about having the perfect amount of slack in my line when I "twitch" it. When you get it right you can almost get a poppin pad crasher to walk in place.