BrianMDTX

I have a 8.1:1 Fuego on a Falcon Lowrider All Round Fast MHF rod. I set it up mainly for soft plastics as I like the ability to reel in any slack before the hookset fast. Having said that, I have zero issues working a worm, craw, etc. slow on the bottom.

I prefer cork. It gets wet, it sheds water fast. Most open-celled foams do not. And...it’s traditional lol

Think of this way. Any flowing body of water has a channel. From the smallest rill and brook to the Mississippi. Now erect a dam and create a reservoir. The original creek, river, etc. is now under feet of water flooded by the reservoir but the original channel is still there. And it is definitely structure.

Who is Ima? ?

Try a Fat IKA with a 3/0 or 4/0 EWG or a Neko Macho wacky style.

I like a faster reel to try and prevent the bass from swallowing the bait before I can set the hook. And I can crank a faster reel slower than I can crank a slower reel faster. I like a 8.1-1 for bottom soft plastics.

You should have seen me back in the early 80s towing a 14’ MFG runabout with my ‘69 Camaro lol. NOT recommended!

I have 20 lb braid on a Daiwa Revros 2500 with 8 lb YZH leader. Mainly as I would prefer to lose 6’ of $ line vs many feet of $$$ line if I get snagged badly. As far as visibility and a bass’ reaction, no one know for sure. I think @J Francho likely answered that best. Some days yes, some no and some maybe. All I know is that a damselfly has no problem seeing my 6 lb Berkley XL and landing on it lol.

Well...that’s a given! ?

Let history be your judge lol. O’s sweep BoSox; likely going to be swept by the Stankees. I guess I’m lucky enough that I saw the glory years in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s, as the past 30+ years have been rather disappointing.

I know nothing about rod building, but I have refletched many a carbon arrow. I would guess a fletch stripper would work well. It’s designed to prevent damage to the carbon fiber.

Man, it’s been a slow go lately. I tried a new pond a few days ago that looked good (lots of structure). But it was dead. Went back to the same old, same old pond later in the day and caught five bass. Two were pounders. The other three were maybe 6” long lol. Fished a couple hours the next day in the AM and had no bites. Came back in the late afternoon and caught another 6” whopper and this one, while I was trying to remove a wind knot. That was on a #956 Senko WR. The first trip I used a Whopper Plopper, Megabass Pop Max, Rat-L-Trap lipless, floating Rapala, spinnerbait with trailer, Rage craw, X Zone craw, Zoom Tricks, Senkos (WR & TR) and nothing was biting. It’s April and water temps in these ponds are in the 60°s. I know the bass are here, but I’ve been fishing in 2021 since January and I have not seen any personal evidence of spawning. I must be missing something.

Now THAT’S a way to begin fishing yak tournaments! Congrats on the W!

I don’t believe anyone mentioned it yet, but the wet oil on the spark plug is telling. Which, considering the other symptoms you described, is likely a definite sign of a holed piston. Water in fuel is an issue for any internal combustion engine, from the smallest piston engine on a garden tool up to the largest turbofan engine on a commercial airliner. In fact, aircraft fuel tanks are sumped on a regular basis to check for water in fuel. Water. Great for drinking. Bad for fuel!

I actually really like my two Daiwa Aird-X’s, especially the 6’6” MF. Casting a Whopper Plopper or Megabass Pop Max is a breeze with that rod. For $49.99, it’s hard to beat.

And why ain’t they bitin’ this week for me? ?

2500 I use 6 or 8 lb. mono or YZH. 2000 I use 6. 10 to 12 on baitcasters. Yep. I use Berkley XL.

TR mostly, as jigs pick up way too much gunk unless I’m swimming them. Hopping on the bottom? Fuggetaboutit. And at that, 95% weightless. Even a small bullet weight tends to snag a lot of algae. But the water is 6’ to 7’ deep at the most, so weightless (especially a Senko) is not an issue.

Nailed it! 11-3! I'm enjoying it while I can lol.

I love fishing a weightless Zoom Trick, but if there’s a lot of stuff floating on the water, they aren’t great at sinking. They weigh very little. That’s one area a Senko shines. Casts far and sinks well all on its own.

I know this thread is old, but I found it Googling “chairs for bank fishing”. The comments are interesting, and I wonder what my response would have been in say, 2001 when I was about to turn 41 vs 2021 (do the math). I fractured two transverse processes in my lower back and my coccyx years ago, and I cannot stand for long periods. Walking is not an issue, but standing still is. So if I’m fishing off the bank vs my boat I do bring a camp chair and sit periodically. It helps reduce the ache and keeps me out fishing longer. But a better chair for fishing vs a simple camp chair would be nice. When seated, I tend to work soft plastics slowly. Does it produce? You tell me.

If push comes to shove, tie a square knot and trim the tag end, then cover with a piece of electrical tape. If your spool is filled you’ll be fine. And yes, I know this from past experience lol.

I know of what you speak. Have you tried a weightless Senko TR? They are heavier than most soft plastics like a Zoom Trick and unless your pond is truly covered in a thick mat of algae (if so, I’d follow roadwarrior’s advice), it should reach bottom and not pick up much gunk.

The O’s are poised to sweep the BoSox today. You can tell 2021 is still a strange year!

I would say to do what I previously posted, but that reel is seriously underfilled. In for a penny, in for a pound. Take it back and have it respooled with 8 lb mono, to the point it looks like @MN Fisher reel. Bring the rod and have them show you how to properly run the line through the guides as well. And seriously, watch all the videos you can on BR about spooling line, setting up rods and reels, etc. It’s a wealth of knowledge for free. And learn two basic knots- the Improved Clinch (IC) and the Palomar, and practice tying them with the 10 lb line you’re going to change so that you become proficient at knot-tying. You can get fancier later, but these knots work well, are strong and are easy to tie.