MN Fisher

Far as I know - nobody supplies a spare spool anymore. Have to go get one either from the manufacturer or a third party. I did some checking - it's about half the cost of a new reel to get a spare spool. Pflueger Supreme - full reel - $104 Pflueger Supreme - spare spool - $51.59

I do all my own maintenance - but if I did send them in to someone - it'd be DVT. Heard nothing but good things about Mike from people here.

Don't forget the KVD. YZH is thicker than the same test of mono, but it's also stronger based on independent tests. It does have more memory than mono, but I've found that treating it with KVD removes most of that issue.

I'm with you there, Bull. Tried three different FC lines, both as main and leader...two of them well respected here. Did not like it at all so gave up on FC totally. I've gone YZH for mainline on 4 of my 10 rigs, and as leader on both my braid rigs. Some deride it, but with KVD, I've not had any issues with it.

Unless you want to dispense with the bobber totally and just let the minnow run free. But again, you'd have to watch your line like a hawk.

Personally - I wouldn't use the drop-shot with live bait. It's more a plastics presentation. Standard rig doesn't allow the minnow to swim about - which is a primary component of the bobber rig.

Drop shot, you normally have the bait suspended above the bottom. But ya it'd work. main thing is you need to watch your line like a hawk. I use hi-vis line on my finesse rig for that very reason.

I've got one bobber that I haven't been able to find anymore. It's a cigar, but instead of a spring to hold the line, it's got a spiral that you swing the line through on the bottom...line runs free through it, and a clip about midway up to hold in place. With a bead and a bobber stop, skipping the mid-point clip, it's a terrific slip bobber. I'm also trying to find the bottom spiral...I have some balsa block here and I could make one's like it if I could just find that one part. Anyone know where I can get more of these, or at least the bottom part?

A hard-set is when you quickly yank the rod back - either overhead or to the side. A sweep is usually to the side, and not fast or hard...more like if you were telling someone to go ahead of you with a hand motion. Let Charlie Brewer show you a sweep.

Go to your Profile page - raw number is next your profile pic...meaningful is up to the 'judges'.

Doesn't need a hard-set. A sweep will usually do it...long as it's a good, sharp hook.

If the hook is just large enough for the minnow, then the point is a bit too close to the minnow for a good hook-set. The regular octopus puts just a bit more gap between the point and the minnow...it can make all the difference. Only other suggestion is if you're using circle hooks, make it a size larger than you think you need - #2 instead of #4 or #4 instead of #6.

Regular.

Dunno - live bait I only use Aberdeen (worms, leeches) or Octopus hooks (minnow)

Bobber and worms? (cough)

The question there is "is the hook point and barb clear of the minnow?" If not, then then chance of hooking the fish goes way down. Have to experiment to see.

Remember - single number without the '/0'...smaller number=larger hook. Refer to the pics I posted...a #2 is larger than a #4.

In that case, size of the bait determines size of the hook. Fat shiners, use the #4 or even a #2 if they're really chubby.

And shock absorption in my case. Straight braid on a treble lure you can either rip it from the bass' mouth or straighten the hooks on a hard set. With a mono/flouro/hybrid leader, there's a bit of stretch to reduce the shock factor.

#/0 - as the number gets bigger the hook gets bigger. # - as the number gets bigger, the hook gets smaller. Another reference pic - this really shows the difference between a #4 and a 4/0 Only thing I use baitholder hooks for is worms. Depends on the average size of the smallies - I'd go with #6 to #2 based on that.

Uhhh - no. 4/0 is HUGE compared to a #4. Pic below - 4/0 is larger than the 2/0

I got a couple 'lay down' bobbers...I like them cause when the fish bite, the bobber 'flips up' like a flag waving in the air.

Or through the back, just behind the dorsal fin, just under the backbone. Lets them swim around more naturally.

Ya, but as I've said before...I'm fishing on the cheap and wanted an assortment of sizes...so got this pack https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/eagle-claw-snap-on-float-assortment-16eclu12pksstrwflter/16eclu12pksstrwflter

I don't even use a 'specialty' bobber when live-bait fishing deeper. Standard round bobber with a bead (T-Rig/C-Rig bead) and a bobber stop where I want the depth to be. Off-set the line-holding hook on the round bobber and voila - slip bobber.