Finessegenics

Sounds like a lot of people underestimated this tournament, with all the talk of the (relatively) cold weather

Mueller's owl story was interesting ? Never had a bird try to steal my fish, but I've had birds go after my topwaters

Interesting question, I've asked others similar things but there's never a real response. When there are no constraints like snags or things like that and both rigs could be fished effectively, it's just a feeling to throw one over the other. I guess we all have our preferences and reach towards a certain technique more than the other. That being said, I'll use the TR around wood/grass and the shakyhead around rock. I don't throw a TR much since I'm usually fishing a rocky river but I do branch out at times. Bullet weights around rock have not done well for me, they tend to wedge themselves in crevices between rocks. So if I'd want to present a craw/creature in rocks I'd go with a shakyhead or a football head over the TR.

Brandon Cobb with a single nine pounder ?. If he can somehow fill the rest of his bag with decent fish, he’ll be in the top 5

I just took a look at your team, looks like you’re in a really good spot for Day 1.

At least my DTL team is actually looking really solid. Only crossover is Cliff Prince who is on both of my teams.

Same here. I do not follow it too much cause I’m just confused. It’s laziness on my part not to get informed but BASS seems simpler

Still very early, but so far, my 5 anglers have combined for 2 fish weighing a grand total of 1lb 4 oz ?

Braid is just easier to put on the reel and manage. Im assuming you’ll be rigging a Carolina rig, so go with a heavy braid mainline and then use whatever mono you want as leader. Don’t overlook a quality barrel swivel either!

The rod is mostly a bottom contact rod for me. Football jigs, swingheads. But occasionally I just say whatever and throw some spinners and chatters anyways. Sounds like I’ll need to pick up the 7’3 MH/F

Too stiff for a moving bait?

From what I know, the Celilo is not a telescopic rod. Are you truly looking for something telescopic or just a shorter rod so you're nimbler while wading the creek?

Are you looking on methods to fish a fluke deeper? If so, insert a pagoda type weight behind the “eyes” of the fluke but above the eye of the hook. Or just anywhere in that general area where it stays lodged. The bait will tend to fall more nose down but it will still have that dart and spin when slashing. You’re still limited to how deep you can truly go but I’ve done this with 1/32 up to 3/32 oz nail weights. Tungsten also makes this easier since the weight is much smaller. A lead 3/32 oz weight is kinda hard to fit up there.

I only had the chance to play with them once. I did not put it on a fluke unfortunately but what I did notice is that they still allow the plastic to fall in the same path as they would weightless because of the placement of the lead on the hook. So I imagine they’d work well for a fluke in deeper water. I’m not sure how it would affect the slashing motion a fluke is known for though.

I hear ya, it definitely is easier to work a jerkbait with a shorter rod. These days, rods that short are a rarity and seems like in bass rods 7’0 is the “standard”, maybe even 7’3. Lots of brands still make 6’6 rods though. If not just a classic M/F will get the job done for you. A moderate action is more ideal for crank baits but I’ve caught plenty on a Fast rod. I don’t know of any at 6 feet, but Fenwick makes the Eagle at 6’6 with a lure rating of 1/8-3/4. It covers all your needs and is a little shorter. I wouldn’t fret too much over the action of the rod.

Mojo Bass 7’1 MH/F, definitely a step up over a BassX

In that case I’d definitely go spinning, it can still be tough. I’d go with a Medium Moderate if you can find one, the moderate action should make lighter lures cast easier. What’s your budget by the way? St Croix makes a 7’ M/M Eyecon rated from 1/4 oz - 5/8 oz but it is 150$.

Are they more of a collection piece or do people seriously fish those? I always thought of the super high end swimbaits as sort of like sneaker collecting. Folks collect them but don’t wear them. I believe @ATA owns some Roman Made swimbaits (?) but I’m not sure about that specific model.

That’s tough, I do them on 2 very different rods. I’m tempted to say go with a spinning rod since you mentioned “small” but 1/2 oz is not small to me. I’d take a look at M/MF casting rod. I don’t know any off the top of my head but maybe someone can chime in with some recommendations.

All that probably makes some great cover for the fish. Cool stuff.

One of my favorite snacks! Sardines and crackers. I like the flavored oils as well, the hot pepper one is good.

I throw 3/8 and 1/2 on a MH/F with 15# Invizx.

I agree with @PhishLI. Different head shapes and line tie degrees do make a difference. One jig I have found that has been nice for both swimming and pitching into cover is the plain old Hack Attack. The 30 degree line tie is generally versatile (maybe not in rocks) and the perfect line tie for swimming plastics. Also, the thin triangular shape of the jighead gets through both weeds and wood very good.

So I'm going with my gut. Switched my team up so many times that I don't actually remember what my gut was. 84-6 for my tiebreaker weight. DTL:

It’s all good, sometimes I just wish more people would give it a shot!