Big Rick

Never heard of this knot. I'd be real interested to learn it, though.

I love this stuff. I use it for jigs, Jackhammers, and the like. It is tough as nails yet has just the right amount of stretch that keeps fish pinned. It won't shatter on hard hook sets either. If it floated I'd use it for topwater as well. I pair it with 30-50 lb Power Pro with an FG knot. Awesome stuff.

If you are using the "stealth" type of braid you will have issues. Stealth braid has coating that make it slicker in the guides. I have had success with it, but it took about 30 wraps. The best braid I have FG knot success with is Power Pro. 8 carrier works great. The diameter of your lines should be perfect. As a side note, I also apply knot glue to my finished know after cinching.

Full disclosure, I fish an aluminum bass boat so the weight is not nearly as much as glass rigs. Neither do I displace as much water. But, I fish a lot of cypress lakes that are full of stumps, logs, and all kinds of debris. My Ultrex spends a lot of time jumping stumps, logs, and all kinds of other underwater obstacles and I have never had an issue with it. It's been as tough as any unit I've ever fished with.

Exactly. Buy once, cry once. It saves you from regret every time you're fishing and wish you had it. 6 months from now you'll not even be thinking about the other option. Choose the other option and every time you deploy it you'll regret not biting the bullet and just doing it. Go big...

It's my understanding that the Ocho is not the Elaztech material like the Zero. So, it shouldn't have an adverse reaction to the o-ring material, should it?

My favorite lakes are loaded with cypress and have water the color of sweet tea, very tannic. Purple and chartreuse is an awesome combo color in this waters. Hence, this color Royal Purple.

Just a joke.. no need to get your hackles up. Many members here, including myself and @A-Jay, are more than ready to provide helpful opinions and info on this site. I have nowhere near the experience others do, but 35 years of bass fishing in several southern states does account for something, I guess.

IMO, there's a reason the drag wheel is shaped like a star and easily accessed. I have adjusted drag while fighting a big fish. I've had to tighten as well as loosen drag. Most of the time that I have to adjust mid-fight is with a braid to leader situation that is utilizing a stiffer rod, like jig fishing in clearer water. My spinnerbait, crank bait, and topwater setups allow my rod to do most of the work fighting the fish. However, I do have to loosen the drag on a larger fish, at times, once I have a hook in her and realize she's threatening to straighten out a hook. I have never tested my drag settings with a scale. I have spent the last 35 years just doing the @jbsoonerfan technique and it has suited me just fine. While I have never caught a DD I do have a lot of 6-8 lb fish under my belt.

Another topic that'll end up locked from the troll that has multiple topics locked.....

Dang, Bro! Next you'll be asking for his favorite boat ramp on Lake Menderchuck! (By the way, don't bother..)

Thanks a lot, WRB. Another topwater bait I don't have.....yet. Just like @Bluebasser86 and his Catwalk. When you guys that know what you're about give up a favorite topwater lure I just gotta have it.

I'm assuming this is about a normal day fishing and not some apocalyptic nightmare where I'm trying to feed my family with the one last rod and reel combo I could find and my last bag of plastics. That said, I'd rather catch 1 fish on a topwater than 3 on any other bait so.... Tatula Elite Casting Reel 8.1 St. Croix Mojo Spinnerbait Rod (MH with a moderate-fast action ~ best topwater popper rod for the money) Evergreen OB Popper in Smash Shad

Dry Creek Tournament Tube

Chipped reels catch more fish.....

I use this braid for weightless/wacky rigged senkos with about 5 ft of leader. If I need it to sink faster I use FC shock leader. Shock leader will sink faster but still has enough stretch not to burst under hook set strain. If not then I use 14lb mono. It amazing how many strikes you can see with Hi-Viz that you would otherwise miss. I enjoy using it. I also use this for frogs and buzz baits as there are no treble hooks to straighten out on hard hook sets with straight braid. I tend to stay away from straight braid with any treble hook applications for a myriad of reasons. Number one being bent out hooks. I know, I know, softer rod, lighter drag, and all that jazz. The trade off just isn't worth it to me. I tried it and it just didn't work for me. YMMV Number two being line/hook tangles because braid is so limp. Again, YMMV

On a side note, congrats to the OP for the longest thread title.

Sigh.... this is the second post you've made concerning the Catwalk. So.....bait monkey wins again. Of course, I couldn't JUST buy that bait. After perusing the new arrivals at TW I finally escaped after dropping 130 large. Thanks a lot, Bluebasser. And to the OP, I have loved the Evergreen Shower Blows in the 105 size for years. It has produced for me when others would not. Seems it makes the bass so mad they strike out of anger.

Got my wish list filled already on the TW website. All I gotta do is swap it over to the cart. When the Black Friday discount hits I'll have my order completed in less than 3 minutes. @A-Jay Those AT4's are amazing trucks. I trust you're going with the 6.2 liter. That's basically a detuned LT engine version that's in my Z51 Corvette. Endless torque with that 10 speed tranny in the AT4. Go big or go home, I say!

In my years of shallow water fishing experiences in the south I have never caught bass around carp. One thing I noted in all the responses is bass were caught UNDER the carp. Where you are fishing there is no "under". So, I believe the bass move out and let the carp have the shallows in that general area. That's been my experience. Water deeper than 6 ft changes the pattern, I believe. But in my super shallow waters bass and carp do not play well together.

Well, this thread title had me thinking you were asking whether to try Harry's or Dollar Shave Club.... Love your combo, by the way. Those Elite reels are amazing.

I have way too much money in rods, reels, line, boat, tackle, truck,(shall I continue) to let a dull hook stand between me and my fishing success. Like @A-Jay I like nice gear that WORKS. And I spend too much time prepping and insuring that gear is ready to accomplish any task I set forth to cheapen out on hooks that are subpar to the rest of my gear. The ONLY point of contact between me and my fish is the hook! Next to that is the line! If I am going to commit time and money to this sport I want the experience to be as pleasant and enjoyable as ever. And losing a good fish to a bent out hook ruins the whole day. YMMV.

I was sure hoping there would be some pictures....

And just like that another 11 year old thread comes roaring back to life!

This post would triple in value with a picture and/or a link.