Finessegenics

Is that because fluoro is supposed to be more sensitive? It certainly feels more sensitive to me. I swear that I can feel a lot more when I run a fluoro leader compared to a copoly one. And I usually go 50/50 on them. My deciding factor is usually water clarity, unless I'm fishing a surface bait. Maybe it's just a mental/confidence thing. Edit: I forgot to add that I'm not sure if the extra sensitivity would apply on a slack line, hence my question

My first casting setup was actually an ugly stik elite with a shimano caenan. That was a long time ago though. For the price, it’s a pretty good rod and they live up to their reputation ; durable as can be. The Elite did feel more comfortable to fish with compared to the gx2. So I imagine the slashing motion with your wrist shouldn’t feel THAT cumbersome with the elite. I don’t remember ever using mine for jerkbait but I used it mostly with moving baits and I enjoyed it. I think with the soft tip ugly sticks are known for, it would be perfect for a jerkbait rod. Soft enough tip to slash the bait with the lightest of flicks from the wrist and enough backbone to play a fish out. I don’t like a noodly rod for jerkbaits. In fact, I actually use a 7 M/F spinning rod. Jerkbait tapers are hard to get right but I think an ugly stik is the perfect budget jerkbait rod. I’m surprised more people don’t talk about these when it comes to budget offerings.

With some neoprene or Lycra socks they could work, I’m sure!

I haven’t made my own but just by looking, 069 and 519 look about right. The only issue is any variation of red tabs with black bars or black flake seem to be out of stock at fishingskirts.com

Hodgman Neoprene Wade Shoe https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00PCAIPN2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_B4ZSFbA11BTWJ?psc=1 Ive been taking a hard look at this one. I heard they were comfortable enough to hike around in too. I think they’ll do well with a pair of long socks underneath, that I can fold over the top of the shoe for extra protection.

Thanks. I use similar ones while doing yardwork during the spring/winter when it’s not too cold out. My issue is not so much keeping my feet dry though, it’s more about being comfortable and mobile.

Well, where I'm going there's no need to be any deeper; I only need to be going up to my knees to hit the spots I'm targeting...and if I'm not mistaken wading boots are meant to get wet. Sure, they will degrade over time but will probably last a lot longer than cheap shoes.

Hey... that’s not all bad ?

By the way- I have been looking at cheap shoes but price isn’t really an issue. Even something at 100$ would be fine if the quality is there.

I figured that would be an issue. So do you have any wading boots to suggest? Something on the cheaper side, I see that a lot of them can get pricy

You should retie. Does the knot actually weaken? I don’t know for sure but my guess would be yes. Even without exposure to the sun or weather, your line degrades with time so that knot would not be at its 100%.

Yeah. I pretty much exclusively follow BASS but I find it ridiculous that nets aren't allowed. I know it's all in the name of the fish's safety but I feel like the fish flopping around in the boat isn't any better...There's also the added danger of anglers getting hooks jammed in their fingers. I think they should just allow nets with rubber, which I have heard are less harmful (and less annoying for us as anglers) than the traditional mesh.

It'll be a while before I get to do some wading again but this offseason I was looking to purchase some shoes specifically made for wading/water. I know regular old sneakers are most people's choice. It's what I've been using up to now but I slip way too often and I'm always getting some pretty large pebbles in my shoes one way or another. Also, the fact that the sneakers aren't "breathable" makes them pretty uncomfy. Feels like I'm making gravy in my shoes when I'm trekking the bank after getting out of the water. On top of that, they take forever to dry once they're wet. So does anyone have suggestions on comfortable and affordable shoes for wet wading? I want them to be "breathable" and decently sturdy so I have some ankle support. I know I won't necessarily find that in shoes this cheap though. I have been looking on amazon and have seen some in the 25-65 dollar range that interest me. Are these actually anymore "grippy" than regular sneakers? I will also be purchasing neoprene socks to protect my foot. Here's what I've been looking at: https://www.amazon.com/ALEADER-Comfortable-Walking-Sneakers-Boating/dp/B07PPLVWKK/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3H0MIP1VN49MO&dchild=1&keywords=wet+wading+shoes&qid=1605561073&sprefix=wet+wad%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-5 https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Barefoot-Diving-Sports-Walking/dp/B07BT88MC3/ref=sr_1_14?crid=3H0MIP1VN49MO&dchild=1&keywords=wet+wading+shoes&qid=1605561112&sprefix=wet+wad%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-14 https://www.amazon.ca/Water-Shoes-Drying-Barefoot-Diving/dp/B083ZWS97B/ref=sr_1_38?dchild=1&keywords=water%2Bshoes&qid=1605559348&sr=8-38&th=1&psc=1 Thanks for the help!

They announced they will indeed be having a sale. Right there under latest news. Maybe they'll mark some products as restocked once the BF starts. That's my theory anyways.

Very recent thread on this question with lots of good info. Personally, I haven’t had any trailers rust a hook or melt a skirt. However, I do find my powerbait baits will react with my plain lead jig heads and almost “melt” the lead. I notice the lead has darkened and sort of comes off on my hand when I pick it up. This has only happened with the original powerbait which I find weird. Either way, take off your trailers and you definitely won’t have a problem. Don’t take the chance.

The fish are always moving, especially with the changing water temperatures/conditions. Either they weren’t there which I believe is the case, since you mentioned you struggled before with even warmer weather, or maybe they just weren’t interested for whatever reason. We get stumped when we try to create future success on past results. I know you’re only using live bait and are shore-bound so there are limitations to what you can do, but fish the conditions. You may have caught them in that hole in 50 degree water before but tiny changes like slightly dipping overnight temps or the migration of their forage or a thousand other possibilities we do not have understanding of, could have moved them.

Some tiny pike but they sure do hit hard. Sadly, these will be my last fish of 2020 ?. I don’t ice fish so now begins the painfully slow wait for next spring!

It works all year round for me. It’s not really a fall thing. The key for me is the retrieve, i have to be constantly retrieving but slow enough so that I’m always ticking bottom. It seems like the fish love when it’s deflecting off rocks. I use an unpainted 1/16 oz jighead and a TRD or half of a Zinkerz in The Deal. Looks like a little minnow and it gets bit. At the same time, I have done very well on a spinnerbait in the fall using it in the same fashion. Bumping off bottom and retrieving it relatively slow.

1. Location 2. Timing 3. Presentation (asssuming you mean speed of retrieve or like a perfect drift if youre dropshotting) 4. Type (Assuming type means say a stick worm vs a fluke? Theyre both plastics but different types) 5. Color

I used to be an early bird when it comes to fishing but not so much anymore. In the summer especially, I prefer the late afternoon/evening bite. Maybe this is impossible depending on where you live where it is just way too hot to be out even in the late afternoon. The only time I'm getting up early is when I'm hitting a lake that is a further drive away so I don't end up wasting a day.

How are you rigging these plastics? Weightless? On a split shot rig?

Ah yes, I've heard that before but it completely slipped my mind. Sorry about that. But what is a considered a dropshot? Any rig with a hook above the weight? Would a carolina rig be allowed?

You should try tying some marabou onto a fine wire hook with a longer shank.. and then fish it on a dropshot with 3/4 oz or 1 oz weight? It's not exactly the "jig" you were looking for and the action may be a little different but I feel like it would work pretty good. I'd be super interested to see if it would work for you.

I was speaking to the OP in that second part. Sorry for the mixup. He carries 4 rods because he finds retying annoying. as for snaps, I’ve used them with squarebills and such but I just don’t like the extra hardware when it comes to “finesse” presentations or bottom contact baits. I have no real reason and your reasoning comes from real experience so I don’t doubt what you say. I’ve never heard someone use a snap for that reason before though.

Joking aside, two is definitely enough. A M/F and ML/F. Sure, retying is annoying but how different really is a shakyhead and neko rig? In my opinion, if they're not biting one they're unlikely to bite the other.