Finessegenics

I kept thinking about your post and I just have to ask, have you tried weighing the presentations? Or is it a guesstimation? I have a small digital scale for cooking but it’s not accurate enough to say anything definitive. Now, I just read your other posts and saw that you mentioned finding a rod for 1/8 oz heads and 3.8 rhythm waves. Is that what you’re talking about here? IMO that would be much better on the M but the ML is definitely capable. In the picture I posted below both are 1/8 oz heads but one has a significantly larger hook. The berkley half head (the smaller jig) will go on a 3” slim swimz. I throw that on the ML mojo. The other jig, which is homemade, is for a 3.8 rhythm wave because it sports the perfect size hook. I imagine the total weight of that homemade jig is a bit more than 1/8 oz because of the bigger hook. I’m throwing that on the M, no doubt. Now if I needed a rod throw both? I’m gonna choose the ML. But since I own both rods I have the luxury of choosing. Though I imagine your elite tech can handle the smaller presentation which probably has a total weight of 3/16. The 3.8 swimbait and that 1/8 head are probably closer to 5/16 oz than a 1/4 oz. Hence why I choose the M. Maybe you need to just fish with the Elite tech more before making a decision but that can be hard when the water is iced over Also, don’t mind the mess on my table there. Still have a few things to reorganize.

This is a weird one for me because both those rods are capable of doing that. I'd say 1/8- 3/16 total weight is the sweet spot for the ML. For the M, it's closer to 1/4-5/16 but the M DEFINITELY loads up well with a 3/16 total weight. Another thing to consider is what line will you be using. Braided line helped me big time in casting lighter lures on spinning gear, at least distance wise. The decision ultimately comes down to personal preference and what else you plan to do with that rod. The ML rod is rated as XF but has a "hinge" like tip. It flexes easily and is very responsive to whatever your bait is doing down there. I use the ML rod for most things with a total weight of 1/16 oz - 1/4 oz. Yes, the ML rod is rated up to 1/2 oz but I think that's more realistic if we're talking about vertical fishing. Think about dropshoting or jigging plastics directly under the boat. The ML will serve you better if you plan to throw 1/16oz heads with ned like plastics, small floating plugs like original rapala's, hair jigs or dropshots. The M bends deeper into the rod, with the whole upper 1/3 of the rod flexing rather than just the tip before you get the backbone. I use the M for most things within 1/4oz-1/2oz. For me, that's primarily wacky rigs, poppers, and tubes where the hook is exposed. The M can work better for you if you plan to throw heavier rigs. Hope this helped. Good luck and if you've got any other questions just ask.

Looking at the success of the flat worm and flatnose minnow (which aren't even new designs, there's many similar looking baits out there), the maxscent stuff has something special behind it that makes it work. Disregarding the scent, the general looks like a good bait. I've never used it l but it gets a lot of love from members here. I saw an underwater video of it on a wacky rig on Youtube, and it has a good wobble. The same cannot be said for most other senko knockoffs. I'd use it. If you wanna see its action check out these videos: 22:55 here.

I’m in the same camp as you..I can identify a few but a lot of the time I’m clueless until I can get a closer look. Here’s a very good resource: https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/

I don't have much experience with punching. This will be my first season where I really work on the technique. I would think that a sensitive rod is very important. That being said, your tatula elite is a good punching rod. I'll actually be using a rod with similar specs to yours, a mojo bass 7'4 H/F. However, most rods marketed towards punching have a Mod/Fast taper and are 7'6-8'0 in length. That's not 100% necessary imo. From the bank, a longer rod would be a lot more cumbersome. Much easier to punch with a shorter rod from the bank. Unless you've got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, I see no point in picking up a whole new rod.

Your plastics will be fine but if we're talking an extended period of time then I'd start to worry about the hook (and/or skirting material) the bait is rigged on

I'm all for that idea...I use dark themes wherever I can

A little early but I don't see myself switching anything up. 88 10 for tiebreaker weight.

The question then becomes what's a bass lure and what isn't?

That's the idea, but when the season finally opens a lot of them are on beds. So it's kinda pointless imo. Before June 19th, you're not even allowed to target them which is impossible to enforce. If you're on a spot and constantly catching them it's advised you change spots. If it's just by-catch then you should release the fish asap. It's basically a very strict c&r.

Bass season is currently open but I don't ice fish. I have the chance to catch one during the last week or two of March when the ice thaws but they're hard to locate. The season then closes on April 1 and re-opens on June 19th. So 102 days until bass season for me ? I usually end up catching one way before that as walleye or pike by-catch.

More natural looking is true (at least to our eyes) imo, but people do this with elaztech to make the bait float more by taking out some of the salt. An interesting tip I’ve been given was to roll my tubes against a table to “soften” the colors. It’s supposed to look more natural in clear water. The bait ends up looking like a “matte” version, similar to yours. I’m sceptical of its effects though.

I used Trilene XL on my spinning rigs before going to braid. It’s good stuff. Big Game is also really good and I use the 10# and 20# as leader material. With mono, you don’t need to spend a lot to find good quality.

Fair arguments on both sides but why don’t we wait till they hit the stores before judging?

I think Damiki involves ‘tightlining’ and suspending the bait somewhere in the water column. I could be wrong though. Gussy looks like he’s just fishing it on bottom. I’m pretty sure everywhere in walleye country they just call that “jigging”. Up here in Canada we also just call it jigging. But I didn’t use that term because I didn’t wanna confuse it with typical bass jig fishing. If you tell people here that you caught them on a jig without any other context, they’re likely to think you’re talking about a ball head jig with a plastic.

I wanted to see him try catching them another way just cause!!! Would have been cool if he was able to get a few fish on a deep crank or really anything else. To my knowledge he’s been using a minnow bait on a jighead the whole tournament. Simple but effective

That’s exactly why I sold my 7’2 M/F. Don’t get me wrong, the fit and finish on the rod was great. The paint, guides, high quality cork and a nice reel seat. I can’t describe it but I just didn’t feel “connected” to the rig I was throwing. I think on another post here I used your exact words, that the rod didn’t feel crisp. I have to say the 7’1 M/F mojo bass I bought to replace it, has that crispness.

I had the 7’2 M/F elite tech. I’d say it’s a true M but it felt more like a Mod Fast than a fast to me. If you already like your 6’9 elite tech then the 7’2 is what I’d go with it. You know what you’re getting with it. I’d say 3/16 total weight is definitely doable on it. If not, I’d suggest the 7’1 M/F mojo bass. IMO it is a true M but a lot of people say it feels like a MH. I disagree. And besides, there is no industry standard so a M vs MH “feel” is different for everyone.

Berkley half heads are good, but just be aware that the hook on them is significantly bigger than the shroomz. It’s a 1 or 1/0, I can’t remember.

Yup. It’s harmless but it irks me too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone actually flip. I’ve certainly never done it.

I actually made a mistake yesterday. I didn’t see that Robertson made the cut, so I actually have 2 guys fishing today. He has 4/5 keepers and is about 4lbs away from the top ten cut so far. Hope he can make it in. And go Gussy!! ??

I think this was my worst result ever. I have one guy fishing tomorrow, my bucket E pick. Anyways, I'm rooting hard for Gussy. He's come close a few times. Hopefully it works out for him and this is his breakthrough.

Imo it definitely is, I’ve fished 1/8 oz jigs at 15-20 feet! They took a while to get there but it all depends what you’re trying to make your bait do.

Are you sure they’re bass? A lot of times, carp will break the surface and give us false hope. Though if they are bass or panfish, a popper as already mentioned should work well.

5 to 15 feet is a pretty big difference but the weight you select would also depend on current, wind and bottom composition. My initial reaction is that a 3/8 oz would be good if there isn’t much current and wind, up size to 1/2 oz if it’s windy or has a strong current ripping through. But I don’t know your lake, so I can’t say for sure. Also, if the bottom is soft (mud, grass) a heavier jig may dig in and pick up a lot of muck. If it’s hard bottom (what I’m about to say applies more to bigger rocks with crevices in between them) then too heavy and your jig will get snagged. Experiment with it but I think 3/8 would be ideal covering 5-15 feet. Edit: Also forgot to mention that some days the fish may prefer a heavier jig b/c of its faster rate of fall, either while you’re hopping it or on the initial fall. Don’t go too crazy but 3/8 and 1/2 are pretty standard and you should get by just fine.