Fin S

I use a 10' to 12' leader. That gives me a little stretch and some room for reties. I put on a new leader before every fishing trip. Sometimes, if I feel like my knot has gotten a little beat up during the day, I may retie the braid-to-leader knot, but I've never had a break there. I The best braid-to-leader knot is the one you can tie quickly and cleanly. I use double uni or alberto. I'll eventually give the FG knot a try. If you mess up and get your knot a little big, retie it. It's a little hassle but less hassle than dealing with a large knot all day. Some reels, like those with the Daiwa t-wing system, might not allow a large knot to pass through. However, I've had no problems with 20# braid with my Tatula CTS reels. If you do have a problem, just make your leader shorter. Get good scissors or clippers so you can cut your braid tag end close to the knot.

Let's celebrate the end of pleasure boating season and the beginning of Fall fishing season. Pretty soon, we'll be able to fish a cove without being accosted by a ski boat pulling a Big Mable.

For years, I used nothing but spinning gear. After switching to a baitcaster a few years ago, I find myself avoiding my spinning gear. In fact, I've probably spent no more than an hour or two fishing spinning gear this year, and when I did fish it, it just felt awkward. I've been thinking about getting a MF Expride as an incentive to use spinning gear more often...

I use 20# braid on my baitcasters and only occasionally have issues with line bite, etc. Since you've already got the 20# on your reel, you might want to give it a try before scrapping it.

Braid is more sensitive and has less stretch than mono. You can feel what your lure is doing better than with straight mono. That's why I use it. A mono or fluoro leader is less visible and gives you a little bit of stretch, which is a good thing. Some guys use fluorocarbon line, which has less stretch than mono and is less visible. With fluoro, you don't need (or want) a leader. Most guys seem to have a preference for either braid to leader or straight fluoro (there are plenty of guys that use straight mono too), but most will switch for certain presentations/circumstances. Line preference is such a personal thing that there's only one way to find out what works best for you.

3.8" Keitech on Owner Flashy Swimmer SK Coffee Tube TR weightless senko

I found the Garmin EchoMap units easy to use.

You should be fine using a MHF BC for weightless senko, but you might have a hard time throwing a tube on it, depending on the weight.

I don't like to use 12 lb mono on a spinning rod, but otherwise you should be fine. I've used a spinning setup with 6 to 10 lb mono for weightless senkos, tubes, and small swimbaits. These days I prefer 15# braid to leader (6-10#) on my spinning setups.

Any scientific study has limitations, and the results have to be interpreted in the context of those limitations.

I feel confident using 8# mono in most open-water situations, but I only feel safe using 6# in winter or with a medium rod. My brain tells me 6# will hold, but my gut is less sure.

Braid to mono for worms, but I don't fish the kind of water you do.

As a fisherman, you have to get comfortable with the idea that you will spend more time fishing than catching fish.

Cabelas has the 93sv for $600 on clearance, if you can up your budget just a little. The BPS gift cards may work for Cabelas since they're owned by BPS now.

Yeah, I've cut way back on fishing right now. It's just not as relaxing and enjoyable with all of the traffic. I try to take a weekday off every now and then, but it'll be October before things lighten up around here and I start hitting it hard again.

The used boat I bought 3 years ago, and it had a ProMariner 3-bank charger in it when I got it. I also bought a 2-bank unit for my Dad about 3 years ago. No problems so far with either unit.

I've got two Garmin Echomap 93sv units. I like them at that price point. Actually, I got one of them for $600 on sale at BPS.

I'm right handed but use a lefty baitcaster. I just prefer reeling with my left hand and steering with my right.

That sounds like a good plan. If this is your first experience with a baitcaster, you might want to start out with some cheap 12# mono until you can cast pretty consistently without backlash. Otherwise, it'll really suck when you have to cut out 30'-50' of line at a time to clear a rat's nest. For braid, I use PowerPro Spectra and I'm pretty happy with it.

After fishing spinning gear exclusively most of my life, I learned to use a baitcaster, and I love it. I'm not a power fisherman by any means. I just like the accuracy, having the drag by my thumb, and just the overall ergonomics of the setup. Maybe it's just the "other side of the pillow" thing and will pass with time. I still take spinning rods with me every trip, but I mostly just use them when I have to for a given presentation (tubes, dropshot, 2.8" keitechs). However, I've been thinking about getting an Expride to renew my interest...

I started out with 10# Power Pro and went to 15# on my main spinning setup. I haven't noticed a big difference...maybe fewer wind knots, but that's not much of an issue anyway with braid. I think you're fine with either. I'll probably stick with 15#.

I've been using braid to long leader (about 12') on my main rig for about two years now. I've never had a break on the cast. However, I use 20# PowerPro braid, which is pretty thin. A knot gets damaged from banging the eyelets and reel guide throughout the day, especially if you don't have a nice compact knot. So, I would start with a few things: Try tying on a new leader before each trip and maybe halfway through the day if the knot is hitting the eyelets a lot. Make sure your knot is small and compact (but don't over-tighten to the point of damaging the mono). If it's not, retie rather than trying to make do. Trim the line as close to the knot as possible. Try a different knot. Even if the other knot isn't necessarily smaller by design, you might tie it better. I've switched from double unit to alberto. I hope you figure out what your issue is. I use braid to long leader and really like it.

I Texas rig a swimbait most of the time. The hook up ratio is not quite as good, but you get hung up much less.

Sure.

Those weights are MH territory for me...maybe H in a Dobyns.