EGbassing

Was she caught again after that picture was taken though?

I've gone full sun protection mode recently for some reason. ? I don't know why but I'm covered in sun protection fishing clothes, hat, sunglasses.

What's the difference between pike/muskie and bass that causes pike to require that?

I'll watch that now, thanks. I'm referring to holding it completely vertical, not bending their jaw though.

Thanks! I think the shad were actually spawning today but I couldn't get a bite on anything.

I've heard several people over time say that holding huge bass vertically can damage their spine, organs, etc. I also read a SaltStrong article saying that someone did an experiment with fifty barramundi, where they held them all vertically and then put them in a tank or something. All fifty of them died. Can it kill a, say, 10 pound bass to hold it vertically, or is it just harmful to the absolutely huge ones? (15+ pounds) Whenever I catch one over 5 pounds or so I try not to hold them vertically because I don't want to risk injuring them for no reason.

I get painfully bored fishing for any freshwater fish besides bass.

Ok, I may try CXX but I should probably never buy something like Tatsu because I would probably end up spending around ~$1000 a year on it ?

You may want to switch to a palomar. They cinch down tightly and it's one of the strongest knots you can use. Plus when you pull the tag end to tighten it down it doesn't burn your line at all like other knots do. Good luck. ?

Thanks. Yeah, what do you think of braid to leader? I go through expensive flourocarbon insanely fast but a spool of braid lasts me for months.

Spinnerbaits, jigs and t-rigs are all good starter lures just kidding don't listen to me just buy senkos

My Fuego CT holds ~140 yards of 12 lb. line. (50 lb. braid is 12 lb. diameter) Do swimbaits ever cast that far?

A soft hookset is ideal. Don't overthink it though. Vertical or horizontal, just don't set it too hard and you'll be fine. If the line is slipping between split ring you may want to switch to a different knot that cinches down tighter. Which one are you using?

Thanks. Will 50 lb. braid work for that?

Daiwa Fuego CT with 50lb. braid

+1. I just got one for all around stuff and I love it.

I've gotten skunked several days in a row now. I wonder if they're spawning here because I usually do pretty well in the spring, but not right now.

I was half joking about the $50 ones. I probably would spend $20~ on one though.

Yeah I know; thanks for the help man. Tight lines!

Thanks. I just feel like I have mostly what I need right now though. The only real gap I have is a finesse setup, seeing that I can get by fishing jigs/frogs on my MH. Maybe I should just get a swimbait rod, jig rod, and finesse rod... ? Yeah, I tried fishing the only glide bait I have, a $5 one from Academy Sports that actually has surprisingly good action, on my MH the other day and even with those soft lob casts I was getting worried about my rod. I was definitely exceeding it's oz. ratings.

Well, I wouldn't be willing to lose $50 swimbaits, but this pond just doesn't have much cover aside of the laydowns on the bank. I've not lost many lures at all to deep cover. I've snagged plenty of jigs in shallow cover though. I don't really plan to try to skip these glide baits up under cover though.

Thanks! If I don't go with the swimbait rod I'll probably go with the 13 Fishing Defy Heavy. Edit: It looks like the only Heavy option is a 7'11". Does that sound too long to you?

I can't remember the last time I casted overhand. (only sidearm) Am I missing anything by not doing it?

My MH is rated up to 7/8 ounce and the 168 S-Waver is almost two ounces. I think I would be too worried about breaking/damaging my MH with it.

Tough question, because if I had to choose one I would say jigs, but I can still get by pitching jigs with my MH. I can't horse them in or set the hook too hard, but it works.