txchaser

6.6 MH/F (because that's what I have)

I think I'm pulling the tag end, would have to go tie one to see what I'm doing. Definitely wet. Which way is it supposed to be (both or tag) on the palomar?

It was already on there from fishing the clear waters before. Fair point, that would have avoided the issue too. Cost me a big one I think. Maybe it was a ticked off catfish. The Fastech is to keep me from losing my mind swapping baits around; new locations, only two rods.

Reporting back... 1) Thank you for all the advice! It made a huge difference. In particular the different process for setup, and the thumb reel trick to get backlashes out. I got plenty of them, but they went away quickly with that. 2) Still not used to the wrist-only casting, just need more time I suppose. Getting there. 3) Wow I can cast a weightless senko on this with no backlash. Unexpected. Mag still on 16 though. My new problem is that I have decent range and accuracy from 10-12 o'clock, but it is a train wreck from about *** o'clock. Parallel cast on the right side... it's not happening. And from 9-10 o'clock it's dodgy with this sidearm, likely as not to end up on the bank.

I hooked up with the Kraken and was totally unprepared. In particular my drag was cranked up, I hadn't checked in three days for nicks, and the last re-tie was at least three fish ago, if not more. I'm 99% sure I didn't cross the line over itself in the hook eye, but I do notice when I tie this knot the loop part that it supposed to cinch on the top of the knot wants to flop around and be everywhere but the top of the knot when I cinch. My own fault, I had moved from ponds to a lake with some known large fish, in great conditions, and no competition because it was cold-ish and windy, so at least the chance of something big. 30lb braid -> 15lb seaguar blue line leader-> mustad fastech-> z-man chatterbait Strike (hard), hard hookset, 3 seconds of fight where I'm just trying to overpower it. Then the line goes limp. Sigh. When I get it back, the end of the line has a 1/2 or so of a C-shape, with a straight part going up out the top of the C. I've broken this line on a snag once before at it seemed clearly at the knot, little bend at the end of the leader. Did the knot slip? Some weird stress on the line from before make that shape?

Just a note to say thank you to all of you for turning me on to chatterbaits. Didn't fish for 20 years, a lot has happened since then. Fishing some ponds in clear water for a few days (Green Pumpkin on both) and an 80 acre stained water lake (chart/white). Zman Elite in both colors, which I wouldn't have chosen those colors without yall either. GY Zako trailer in matched colors. Looked way too big to me, but WTH lets go for it. Fished it near the bottom, pretty slow, kicked in the vibration in about 1/3 of the pulls. Ponds are full of dinks, they wouldn't touch it, but once they got a little bit bigger they seemed to like it. It's been a long time since I've seen something get hit this hard, especially in winter. No nudge, no tap, just hammered. Every time they were deep in the mouth, mostly on the roof. Thanks, that was lots of fun and I learned something new. Ps: why do they hit this thing so hard even though it is chilly out (for Texas)?

@Dirtyeggroll @Sam Thank you both for the insights!

Found a combo Fuego CT and daiwa MH/F rod I couldn't pass up ($85 new) so I bought my first baitcaster. Thanks to all the people that posted the 100 threads or so that I read. I probably fish on the lighter end of things, weightless senkos, light topwaters, etc. All bank fishing, ponds mostly. I'll have a spinning rod if it turns out the really light stuff doesn't play well, but my ideal would be an all-around setup. A couple of questions come to mind: 1) anything I need to do to this reel out of the box? Seems like some platforms have must do tips before you do anything at all. 2) Planning 30lb sufix, 15 flouro leader. Worried maybe it's too heavy? The idea of being able to stop worrying about weed/pad snags is pretty interesting though. Thoughts? Also should I back the sufix with anything or just spool it all on there? 3) I understand that the setup procedure for this is a little different. Anything I need to do other than read the instructions and do what it says? Thanks in advance. ps: water clarity usually 3-9 feet