Jig Man

I’m not sure you can get a setup for that money that will be easy for a beginner. Good luck.

Try the Pitzen.

We had one of those tough bite days yesterday. Jigs are the normal bait in the clear waters of Beaver Lake in North Arkansas. We fished several different weights, trailers and colors. Nearly no bites. We switched to Carolina rigs, Neko rigs, drop shot, Ned rigs and top waters. Among the tries was finally swim baits. They worked but only in the 2.8” size. They saved the day for us. So plan on having several things to try until you find the one that works.

I recommend a 20’ or longer.

Today it was 2.8 or stay home. I started with the 3.3 got bites but couldn’t hook up. My partner was using 2.8 and catching. I switched and started catching. Color wasn’t an issue but size sure was. They were 25-40’ deep. We caught lmb, spots, stripers, and whites.

I carry 2.8, 3.3, and 3.8 because you never know what size will be working the best.

You can go to the Minn Kota site and see what Garmins will work with the US2 transducer. While there you can research the trolling motors to see which ones do what you want to do.

I use that speed for shaky, Ned and swim baits.

My transducer has been in the hull of my Nitro for 8 years. However, I have a temp probe that runs out and into the water at the stern. You will know the temp of the inside of the hull.

I don’t but the people who bought our place in the country have barrels at all of the down spouts on the house and out buildings.

Shirt pocket. Take minimal good stuff.

The planners (wife and s-i-l) started looking at the trip. It looks like we will fly into Portland then move to Bangor then branch out on day trips.

I always have a Swiss Army knife and an Uncle Henry’s Stockman unless in pjs or buck naked.

Send it to Delaware Valley Tackle and have him fix it right.

I quit using it when I learned the Pitzen which for me is easier to do, faster to tie and stronger.

It’s hard to tell from the picture. I only own Shimano reels and even in the same model using the same line they don’t always take the same amount of line for optimal performance even on matching rods. Casting over looking will give you the answer.

Yes. I use a 10# fluorocarbon leader.

I use 15# braid on a 2500 and 3000 reels. The 3000 is overkill for me.

I can only do half. That’s the slender knot. I have used many knots for braid to fluorocarbon lines. The skinniest one I’ve used is the FG. It isn’t quick for me but I’ve never had it break at tie knot.

Is there a site somewhere that I can find values for old warts?

Ugly colors yes because they will wind up brown. With softner added they won’t be stiff.

https://www.marinevinylfabric.com/blogs/marine-vinyl-blog/how-to-clean-marine-vinyl-fabric?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-ai0BhDPARIsAB6hmP4ATihtSEAuFTObR0PSZlFsDR0hZGhSeAcKko1BFyz1e-32wi4_3zoaAlWFEALw_wcB

I can’t speak for the Daiwas but I have Shimano Stradics in 2500 and 3000. There is a big difference in line capacity.

I have more setups than I can handle so I’m not gonna get any more. I don’t go for the latest and greatest new bait. I make most of my stuff including jigs and many plastics. I have not been successful making a swim bait like the Keitech so I buy them (a couple of years worth at a time). I also can not copy Elaztech so I make major purchases of several dozen packs at once. I buy my hooks by the thousand when I can get them but never less than 100 at a time.

Good for you. You didn’t mention baits. When we fish for smallmouth we find Ned rigs and Jewell Pee Wee jigs to be very effective.