Reel

My favorite swimbait hook is a Mustad... and I'm not frugal !

I mostly fish BIG BIG water, the type of river system where there is almost no limit on distance. But, I've also fished on foot, small canals and ponds where I live in the North and also in Florida visiting. Do I downsize ? No, lures are lures and small fish will eat small prey and big fish small and large prey. I like to fish ''connections'', place where one situation changes to another, transition areas or necked down areas. I mostly use Texas rigged plastics. My favorite spots are places where there is current from another area comming in.

Is that the new model ? I'm not sure but I think a new model came out a few weeks ago.

I've got a 1000 Ci4+ and a 2000 Vanford and the spool is a little bigger (diameter) on the Vanford. I use both for Ultra Light for crappie using mini tubes. For anything over 1/16 oz I would go with the 2000. Both are great reels very durable for their size. I've caught some large bass while crappie fishing even a 30 pound carp and they are still working great.

I have gone back and fourth and finally chose wide gap hooks. I don't loose more fish with either. But here the job is making fish bite. I feel the with EWG hooks, the bait ( mostly creature baits ) has a better attitude. It's more horizontal in the water. With straigh shank hooks you get that 45 degree angle a lot of times. With heavy straight shank hooks, you also need to strike harder to get a good hookset. Once done, yes the fish keeps pinned. I'm getting old, so I don't strike as hard as I once did !!!

The weight of the net is also very important. Choose a LIGHT one.

The Convergence is a nice rod especially at that price and the two piece is compact for travelling. I would take a look at the new Sellus (the black one) . It's a bit more expensive and also available in a two piece. It's a fantastic rod for the price.

I'm not familiar with Guntersville, but I fish clear water and have been sight fishing for many years (not during the spawn because the season is closed where I fish) and most of the time you can see the fish. I also use FSS for deeper water ( 10 feet and more). The biggest turn off I have witnessed is when your lure is under the fish. Most bass loose interest when this happens. Keep your lure over the head of fish if you can.

The ones I like are the Caperlan double sided lure boxes 100L

Sorry, my mistake.

There is not a big difference between the two except that the 7 foot light is an X-Tra fast action. The 7'2'' is a fast action. The seven footer is more of a drop shot rod and maybe a shaky rod/wacky rod. The 7'2'' ML is more of a general finesse rod, ned rigs, spy baits, hair jigs...

In that order: Jackall Rhythm Wave Keitech Fat Crush City Mayor Heads: my own

I saw that one also. They seem to be using epoxy. Looks good but I don't like the position of the hook eye for strolling.

I make my own using split shots and walleye jig hooks. Clamp the split shot a little higher on the hook for more roll. I use sewing pins with the head cut off for bait keepers but you could use really heavy braid (80lb) wound behind the head for a keeper. The braid holds well if it is wound with space between the rows. I use UV glue on the tying thread and braid to hold everything together. I figure about 25 cents a jig.

In that order; Jackall TN, Booyah One Knocker and old Sugar Shad.

I have tried longer leaders but went back to a 6 foot leader because, during the cast, line would hang up on that knot on the spool and shorten the casts. For me, long casts are important because I fish clear water. If I were fishing close targets, I would go back to longer leaders. This happens even with the best and smallest of knots.

I have four levels of Shimano DC reels: SLX, Curado, Calcutta and Calais. For buzzbaits, especially the 2 bladed ones, I use the Shimano Calais DC on a 7'2'' MH casting rod. That's the combo that gives me the maximum distance with the minimum effort.

The Karashi is not a jerkbait, it's a twitch bait. It has no bill so it doesn't wobble. It's like working a surface bait (Spook) underwater, but more softly. It darts.

If you trust the list of '' most popular line'' of a big fishing equipment retailer, Power Pro is there with three other products.

Thanks everybody.

Use aquarium silicone in the corners where the aluminium is slit.

Yes, the Maximiser comes with the higher powered models ( 55 and 65) but it's worth it.

Make sure the model you chose has the Maximiser. You get double the time with one battery.

No,