Timberwolf530

Just because YOU can't do it, doesn't mean that anyone who is a moderately good swimmer cannot. Once again, I have actually witnessed, with own two eyes, people doing exactly what you say is impossible. The thing is, it's not even difficult, let alone impossible. Here's another video of someone swimming fully clothed, this time wearing boots and a coat, for your viewing pleasure.

One of these reels will be my next casting reel purchase. In your opinion is the SV spool worth the extra money? If so, what advantages can I expect over the standard 100 reel?

Myth Busted: I've actually had tournament partners who've fallen in, and they swam back to the boat with no problems at all with their shoes on.

About the same as I do with shoes on I would expect. I'm not wearing hip waders, just gore tex hiking boots.

Don't discount the Berkley Twitchtail Minnow. While it does not float, it sinks very slowly in a horizontal manner, just like a dying baitfish. I use Roboworms too, but I use the twitchtails more often, especially for smallies.

I've been using the Bass Pro Pro Qualifier parka & bibs for years, and never had a problem with them. Oh, one other thing. Make sure you have waterproof boots. I see guys all the time out there in rain suits with sneakers on. Wet feet drive me crazy, so I always make sure I have waterproof footwear if there's a chance of rain.

If I'm going to fish a spinning reel all day, I want the smallest, lightest one I can get my hands on (and still afford). I have small hands, so bigger reels tend to cause hand cramps for me. Not all manufactures sizes are the same for the series number. Diawa's new Tatula LT reels for example, are smaller than most other brands with comparable numbers. In fact, I believe the only difference between the 1000 and 2000 is spool capacity. I'm pretty sure the body is the same size. Since there is no standardization, I would recommend going to your local tackle store to see which feels best to you. Just FYI, I just got a Tatula 2000 within the last month, and I'm lovin it so far.

Tom, We live in different worlds brother. Most of the fish I catch are under 3 lbs, which is a dink in your world. To be honest, I never fish a drop shot in heavy cover. I mostly fish it on bottom structure, weed beds, rock piles, drop offs, etc. I will fish it around docks or boat lifts, but I find most of the time, the fish heads for deeper water, and not back under the dock. I can control the 1-3 pounders pretty well with the ML spinning rig. In the heavy stuff, I'm usually fishing a jig or worm on a MH casting outfit with 30 lb braid.

Norman Speed Clips are the best IMO. First thing I do when I take a new crankbait out of package is remove the split ring. I've been using speed clips on crankbaits forever. I use the split rings from the bait for fishing weightless flukes.

A technique specific rod is not needed for a power shot rig. Just use your jig rod. If you want to eventually buy a specific rod for finesse drop shotting, a ML XF spinning rod is generally considered the ideal to get the correct subtle action from the bait. Brand and length are a personal choice, but in the 6-8 to 7-2 range are most common.

I have both an Avid 6'6" MHF & a 7' MF. I use the MH mostly for flukes & smaller jigs. I've used the M for everything from tubes, to shaky heads, to shad raps, to wacky & Neko rigs. You could even use it for drop shots and Ned Rigs if you needed to. It depends on what you want to use if for, but I find I use the M much more than the MH. For the most part, I find if I need a MH, I'm usually using a casing outfit. I agree with the earlier comment that if I could only have one, it would be the M.

The Jackall Mikey is my favorite.

Questions 1-3, all yes, however, heavy tackle is not how the technique was designed to be fished, so you're not optimizing it fully going this way. Of course, it that's all you have, you do the best with what you have. I personally fish a shaky head on a 6'10" med pwr / x fast rod with 10 lb braid with a 6-8 lb leader. I use the lightest weight that will still allow me to keep contact with what the bait is doing. I start at 1/16 and go heavier when necessary. It will work on heavier tackle, but I find I outfish people using heavier tackle alot with this technique.

Well, it's late in the day and the sun is gettin low. I caught me a big un, but I let 'em go. I sho had fun just a watchin him stretch my line. I made me a lifetime memory. Out here fishin, Jimmy Houston and me. Hey Jimmy, I think we'll have to go again some time. Every time I hear that song, and takes me right back to the 1980's when I was a kid, and trying to learn everything I could about fishing. Reading Bassmaster, Field & Stream, & Sports Afield cover to cover the day I got them, and again the next day. Watching every fishing show I could, and riding my bike to all the ponds around my house to try out what Jimmy, Roland, Hank, and Bill were showing me on TV.

It was just a joke. Doesn't anyone on the internet have a sense of humor any more?

I've had good luck the Kijaro Dual Lock. You can find them for about $35 on Amazon.

I was going to say you will them to your kids.

A cold Leine and a cheese hat??????

I'm headed up to the St Joe River in Elkhart soon. Launching at the six span bridge ramp. Anyone familiar with this pool that could give some tips?

Shimanos are not immune to needing shims added/removed, nor is any brand of reel. ALL spinning reels, regardless of manufacturer or price can require spool adjustments. Although it's not extremely common, it's not unheard of either, and should not be looked upon as a manufacturing defect.

Parts availability is exactly why I stopped buying Shimano years ago. I find I don't have that problem with Daiwa, Garcia, or even Bass Pro Shops.

+1

I just got a Tatula LT2000 last month. WOW!!! It's as light as a feather, and smooth as silk. I would not say it's on par with my Steez, but to be honest, IMHO it isn't far enough behind to warrant the extra money that the Steez costs. I would highly recommend it. I Paired it with a Loomis IMX Pro DSR 820S and this combo fishes like a dream. RE the Pflueger. One thing you may want to research on this reel. Abu Garcia and Pflueger are just about the same reels. Abu has been having some failure problems with their anti reverse mechanism. I don't know if Pflueger is experiencing the same problems, but it is definitely something I would look into before I bought one.

Most of my rods are those I have built myself based on Loomis IMX (Slate) & St Croix (SCIII & IV) blanks. I also have a Mudhole MHX Pro I like. I also have a few Loomis & St Croix factory rods, as well as several Duckett Ice. I'm not a fan of Duckett's guides, but the rods themselves fish very nice.