JediAmoeba

Our little 40 acre pond last Friday had me fighting spots for 12 other kayaks, 5 canoes and about 15 shore anglers... That's normally the way it is on weekends all year here though. We have 5 ponds/lakes where I live. The largest is 40 acres, the second is 8 acres, 1 is 3 acres, 1 is 2 acres and the last is an acre. If it isnt raining or snowing you can guarantee there are people fishing at each one. Normally you will see between 5-10 shore anglers at the small ponds. On the weekends more. The closest one to me that is 8 acres and relatively deep for its size will have at least 20 people fishing every day in the summer. I know pressured water unfortunately and because of this Covid thing every day has more anglers lately.

I can't pass up a good deal! I am happy to send my monkey to anyone - just let me know the address. You can make your own bobber stops out of braid...

I know they sell stuff on Ebay but I have never seen their website. I think I bought something from them off ebay once...

If this is anything like I imagine with a nice sludge on the bottom a Tokyo rig is going to be an awful choice. Just go weightless tex-posed.

It's what I use - the knot is easy to tie and it is very clear if it is tied correctly. It never fails me and I have had to break a lot of times off when being snagged on rocks and stumps this year - not once has the leader to main line knot failed, it always breaks at the hook/jighead. I have used the Alberto but it has failed me a few times. Actually caused me to lose 4 pointers last year. What I found is it needs a dab of super glue or the stress from hitting the guides over and over can cause it to loosen.

I didn't change mine. They are pretty stout hooks and I was lazy. Only caught one fish on it but it was a pretty good one.

I have it figured out - braid is just, way better. Any line people are telling me I need to buy a "conditioner" to use isn't optimal. I can cast a baitcaster with the best of them and I still say braid is far more forgiving and performs better. The only rods I use straight mono on are my large swimbait rods. I prefer to pair my rod and drag to the technique rather than use line that stretches. I do use leaders most of the time but that has more to do with abrasion resistance and ease to retie baits.

Amy lure can work at any time but if you are looking for the higher percentages those times mentioned are better. A lot of the reason being, that is when real frogs are out and about. But yeah, poppers, walkers and other top waters can be effective any time a bass is hungry.

It would really help to find out the depths. Also, a lot of times on these older stilted in ponds the best majority of gunk comes from the 10 feet or so from the shoreline out. In small shallow ponds that are silted in, your best bet is small spinnerbaits, tex-posed worms (4-6") without any weight and top water stuff. It really depends on what kind of vegetation. I have always found in smallish water every cast matters and you are making a cast for a small target window. Miss that cast, and you wait 30 minutes or so to come back around and hit that spot again.

How big and how deep is the water? Do you have access to a canoe or kayak? Do you have chest waders? Is it a round bowl or is there a dam at one end and it's more shallow at the other?

I really dont understand the "dont use braid on a baitcaster" mentality. I think fluoro and mono are disgusting and awful on baitcasters. Braid is 10x easier to pick out backlashes should they arise, it casts way easier and it gives way better feedback on the lure. The only backlashes I have ever had that I couldn't get out were on fluoro and mono. Small backlashes on fluoro and mono have caused way more lost lures too when I dont carefully check the line and where a link was, breaks. The best majority of my reels are spooled up with 15-30 lb braid.

My pup finally had the courage to sniff a fish today.

That's the thing with leader knots - you need to be able to see if the knot is strong and complete. That's why I use the bloodknot because you can always tell it's done perfectly when complete. The Alberto and Albright are easier to tie IMO but I have better luck with the blood.

Great video. If anyone wants to know how to add twist to their line, come trout fishing with me - I will show you the most epic line twist, knots and tangles you will ever see. You may even learn some new ways to to string together your favorite colorful metaphors.

Should definitely be covered under warranty. If you bought it from the sales floor it could have had a crack from people abusing it. You would be amazed at how bad those sales floor models get abused! It could also be a defect or manufacturing blunder when attaching the eyelets - those rods are mass produced so it would be hard to catch it.

Yinz and all your stout lines...I use 30 lb braid to a 10# leader. I never have problems but I also only catch teeny tiny fish. ?‍♂️

See, I dont think that's the case with fishing...99% of people can't afford to fish professionally. Edit: and I dont just mean financially, it takes a hell of a burden on ones personal life.

Yeah, this was a reel I didn't need. I am still not sure what I need a small low profile baitcaster for in this speed.

I use both. They both have their place and purpose.

I got mine today. Looks really nice and feels great. Hopefully it holds up well.

I got mine by email. I will have mine tomorrow

Where is @Bluebasser86, I am sure he can weigh in on this subject.

On the site it states he was using a ML Abu rod for the jerkbait. Seems weird to me to be throwing 15 lb line on a ML rod. I usually use 10.

Alright, so I ended up getting rid of my Lews and Abu reels. Out of all that I traded 2 reels to get myself a new Tatula 100P - a good light crankbait reel that I installed on a St Croix 7' Premier medium power crankbait rod. I also happened along a woman where I live that sold me a brand new T3 Ballistic for 25 bucks. Her husband died last fall and I bought some ice fishing gear from her so she told me I could have it for 25. I immediately ordered bearings and installed those today as well as put on better handle and knobs. Pretty stoked about this reel. I also had to get a few things from the local tackle shop because my friend gave me some money for tackle for helping him out...

I will third this. Stay away from Lews, Abu and any doyo reels. They are way behind the curve - Daiwa and Shimano are the innovators and make a far better product.