Mike F

Oh ok, you think a split ring would give it too much range of motion? ie: fouling on casts etc? Like I said I’m a jig/plastics/drop shot guy, this is all Greek to me, excuse my ignorance

Thank you Tom! It’s the rear treble that I broke, and it’s not attached with a split ring from the factory, adding one and a new treble is my only choice though, right? it’s too expensive a lure to not repair IMO. And haven’t tried it at night because it’s full on fall here now and I only night fish during the dog days of summer, but it’s a killer lure during the day here, I’m a rank beginner topwater fisherman, and have caught at least one nice fish on it every outing since I got it, the action is so obnoxious and like nobody around here has/throws them so I think it just utterly fools the bass.

Got a jackall pompadour two days ago, took it fishing today and they crushed it to my delight! But when removing the rear treble from the first fish I caught on it I snapped a point off! I’m not much of a hardbait/treble hook guy and the posts regarding this stuff tend to confuse me somewhat. So I’m asking: how critical is getting the “right” size replacement split rings and hooks for hard baits to ensure they run right? Or as long as I get something close enough it’s fine? Like there’s four different sizes of split rings Owner makes, and I don’t even own a metric ruler to compare these to the hardware on my lure. Am I overthinking this? Soft plastics and hooks are super simple IMO but the trebles have me scratching my head. Thanks guys

The lews American hero was my first casting combo, the tan desert camo one, I’ve since upgraded to tournament mb’s, but the reel from that first combo is a fricken workhorse and casts really nice in my opinion, it’s a little slower and lacks the fit and finish and some of the bells and whistles, but it does it’s one job quite well IMO, not sure where to buy it as a standalone reel but I imagine it’d only be around $50. I also had a black max, and in my opinion the lews hero reel is much nicer as far as performance and feel, only downside: it’s kindof ugly and doesn’t look good on really any rod lol.

I learned to use casting reels with straight braid because i was told it was easier and more manageable but it was kind of a crutch looking back, I’ve been fishing 15# big game most of this summer and I had to learn to thumb the spool more, but now I prefer it to braid. I think if I’d learned with mono, switching to fluoro would’ve been easier, I had one bad experience with sniper early on and am hesitant to waste money on fluoro again bc of it.

I throw a Texas rigged craw almost every time I fish, alongside a jig-n-craw, but haven’t thrown a worm in years, I still buy them (bait monkey problems) but never thread one on anymore even though it’s the first rig I ever learned and how I caught my first bass. You all have inspired me to run out to the truck and rig a rage thumper on my spare rod, it’s only a medium power lightning rod but I tied on a pretty light wire hook, that should be fine right? I also chose a lead sinker over tungsten to make it more “old school” (wish I could find my jelly worms!). Im only 25 but I love hearing about you older guys good ol’ Days and how you all used to/continue to catch em. my dad wasn’t much of a fisherman before I got into it so I missed out on a lot of the classic stuff but I still get like pseudo-nostalgia from hearing about it! Btw Catt that’s a hog, I think bigger than my states record lol.

Update: I started palming my reel this week, I hadn’t really held it like that before, I’ve noticed when I set the hook with my hand in the “palming position” around the rod and reel, I’ve been flailing my arms less and getting more solid sets! Anyone else experience this too? I was worried when I started palming I wouldn’t have enough power because half my hand was above what I viewed as the fulcrum of the rod, but it’s helped substantially!

I go through plastics almost embarrassingly fast sometimes, and when I’m bored or it’s raining I’ll dig up packs that have been sitting for a while and test them as jig trailers etc which usually ends up being a somewhat wasteful endeavor. I’ve had the best longevity with chigger craws Texas rigged, iv used the same craw for a week before fishing everyday for a few hrs. You can texpose three times per side of the craw until it rips, then flip it over and do the same on the side with the writing. Does anyone one know if superglue has any noticibale scent to fish? I’ve always been paranoid it smells and am hesitant to use it for anything fishing related.

thats interesting! Zebcos are present up north, but from what I’ve seen, if you grew up in a fishing family you started on spinning gear. Cane poles are sold in Michigan, but I’ve never seen anyone use one. In my experience, if your dad fished, you got a spinning rod first, if you grew up in a non fishing family, you got a Disney/superhero zebco.The majority of people in Michigan I encounter use spinning tackle and baitcast gear is a symbol of a fellow bass specific angler. On the Great Lakes conventional reels are used by walleye/salmon trollers or musky guys usually. (Obviously exceptions to all this) This makes me want to search for/ start a thread about region specific lures. I’ve got a handful in mind that some guys may have never heard of!

I doubt it, are you making sure the lines really moistened before you snug it? I’ve never thought this was as critical with braid, but it could be your issue, more knowledgeable members should clear the air on this, I’m merely speculating.

^^ that’s the real question. I had a lot of Palomar failures with braid due to slippage until I learned to leave a generous tag end. Which I do with all line types now, At least 3/4” tag end, makes the knot more weedless too (with plastic lines) Oh nvm lol just saw ur post disregard mine. Are ya spitting on it before you cinch it?? It’s possible it’s burning? But I’ve not experience that much

I’ve noticed this too, any thoughts as to why? My theory is two fold: one is, I’ve heard the aquatic vegetation in the south is much thicker, and two we have walleye and salmon up north. Which both tend to be sought with spinning gear. Personally I grew up spinning only, and walleye fishing, but picked up casting reels this spring and am a total convert, when I caught my first bass on a med. heavy casting rod I was stunned at how much more control of the fish I felt I had. And Learning to use baitcast gear has made me a significantly more accurate fisherman with both reel types.

I’m a bank yanker, and after going through many tackle bags, have settled on the smallest one dsg carries, just a cheap field and stream shoulder bag, holds two small Plano boxes and some plastics, it’s got one of each lure in it, one buzzbait, one spook etc, so no color selection to get carried away with. Some of my best days fishing have been when I forgot something “ I needed” in my truck, i’ve Found the excessive amount of tackle I used to bring was just a distraction and an encumberance. That said, the black and white digital camo Daiwa bag feels skookum as frig when I checked it out in the store lol. Like leaps and bounds nicer than the spider wire or Shimano backpacks they had available. It’s like $120 bucks though I think. I’d get another rod personally...

So when you feel a bite you really let em have it eh? I started throwing my tx-rigs on 15lb big game as per your recommendation and really like it, but still have it in my head I need more sensitivity for a jig than straight mono can offer. Especially considering my rods aren’t what most would consider sensitive (mojo bass and lightning rods)

That’s pretty consistent with my set up for jigs, 7ft MH-F, 30lb braid to 15lb mono leader, jigs no heavier than 3/8oz and generally I buy finesse style because I have more confidence in the hooks. I was just wondering if someone would consider that combo overkill for a finesse jig, and if people manage to get a solid set on a heavy wire hook with a med. heavy and middle of the road line.

Is that like the old school of thought? I’ve heard guys say that a slow reel really winches them out better. Was that back before graphite Rods or something?

Do we have to contact you on the forum to order them or just go through your site? Btw I just received my first order from you today, Im literally blown away by how nice they are, you put the big brands to shame. Thanks so much!

Is there any noticeable loss in torque with the high ratio reels, say if you stick a fish on a jig in thick grass or Lilly pads, or does a heavy rod overcome any shortcomings in power from the reel?

Not trying to hijack my own thread, but do any of you guys manage to get a decent hook set with mono or a mono leader (15lb) on a jig with a “standard wire” hook? I feel like the only time I can really stick them with my setup is on a finesse jig with a narrower hook. As in narrower gauge

So today’s after work fish was slow and tough. Only stayed about an hour and a half, with one bite on a t-rig chigger craw which is my confidence bait of choice along with any small black blue jig. The fishing was so slow I resorted to all sorts of retrieves and finally got hit stroking the craw over a big scum mat, I remembered Glenn’s advice and let the fish hold it almost agonizingly long compared to what I’m used to, and then almost 5 seconds later I hit him and landed him. I was kind of shocked he still had it just in his mouth and not swallowed. I think I made the best of a slow day by learning something, or rather proving to myself what all of you with vastly more experience have already learned. I’m proud to say I caught the fish today on 15lb big game as per recommendation from so many guys on here lol. I used to throw braid only but I feel like because of mono’s springiness or something the hooks end up super deep in the roof of their mouth. Owner cutting points didn’t hurt the matter either In fisherman’s book “critical concepts 3: presentation” said the same things as you and even said that the fiber weed guard crunching down wasn’t alarming to a fish and could even simulate like crunching the carapace (I think that’s the right term?). That’s interesting stuff

I’m shocked how few people mentioned frogs, even when a one pound fish hits a frog it’s a big bite lol, and imo the most exciting way to fish (when they’re aggressive) That being said my PB largemouth came on a deadsticked drop shot on 6lb fluoroclear, standing on an elevated dock... bring a net!

That’s solid advice Glenn! I’ve noticed when I fish a Texas rig, I have it in my head that I can do what you describe, and I land more of those fish (compared to jig bites) because of it I think. But I still rarely have good form, I feel like I’m losing power by swinging with my elbows out. Which eventually costs me a fish or two because of a weak set (it always feels like it’s the big ones too lol) . I almost never hook the fish that really catch me by surprise. (Reeling the jig in for another cast etc) maybe I’ll go to my lake full of dinks like Nhbull suggested, and when I get bites wait longer like you suggested and try to mentally calm down and purposefully swing the rod. It’s all easier said than done but I appreciate the tips guys.

Hmm I do have access to a small lake where there’s almost guaranteed numbers I’ll try that next time I go there. I’ve noticed tons of threads about hook sets, and have come to the conclusion that aside from actually just locating fish, this is the second hardest part of bass fishing to master. Would you all agree?

I fish like 95% plastics and jigs, for starters. And I know all of the preferred techniques for getting a powerful hookset ie: elbows close to body, reel slack, lower rod tip and slam em’ . But whenever I detect a bite all of this goes out the window and I throw my elbows out and swing my arms up, which about half the time works, but I’m curious if you guys know of any ways to “condition” yourself to change the way you react to something in fishing. It’s tough for me because I only have so many opportunities to “practice” when I’m actually fishing, and I’m doubtful screwing around in the yard would do anything. My poor technique has really become apparent as I fish jigs more often and have less time to do anything before I need to set. Thanks in advance guys.

Hey thanks guys! Look forward to picking all your brains lol