BrianMDTX

I did that with filler spools, as the “memory” they have is much larger in diameter that any spinning reel spool. Did...as I only use bulk spools now that are much closer to the diameter of the spool on the reel.

I’m with you. The only thing I put back in the water is the fish.

Show us a pic of your reel. Roadwarrior’s suggestion is a good one. You can also go to an grass field and pull 90% of your line out and reel it back onto the spool through a damp towel held just behind the first guide. That should spool it back on and eliminate the twists.

And do not allow contact with other metals for a prolonged period or you risk dissimilar metal corrosion.

A-Jay lol. Just like hunting, I vastly prefer watching “guys like us” that video their trips and catches/kills vs pros.

With mono or YZH on the reel, I have had 95% hookups with Gammy 1/0 circle octopus hooks on wacky rigs. Have had a bit of an issue with lost fish lately with 20# braid to 6 lb leader, but that’s not the fault of the hook. With non-braid, it’s just as @roadwarrior described. Lift the rod tip up and reel in the slack and the fish sets the hook itself. Normally in the side of the jaw.

#3 Most Frightening Thing To Hear: ”We’re IT and we’re here to help!”

I was until just now. I was suffering withdrawal!

I’m not up on the physics but I think you are right.

I use 8 lb YZH as a leader, and I agree on the Aird-X’s. I have a MF and a MHF. Both are good rods.

Looks good. And ready! Cross some eyes!

7' is my preference.

Been quaffing Deschutes Freshly Squeezed lately. That, a jalapeño lemon cocktails.

Stop! I need not read posts like these any more! I. Do. Not. Need. Another. Rod. Do I? ?

Can’t compare as I only have the MHF. So far it’s been superb on soft plastics, which was its intended purpose.

Fished an hour this afternoon. Missed one fish on a long cast that hit a 5” Senko weightless TR and spit the hook before I could set it. But I did catch my first bass on the new XZone 4.25” Adrenaline Craws the BM talked me into over the winter. Not real big but it was a fighter!

I learned on flounder, sea trout and bluefish. And bluegills on UL rigs lol.

I think a lot of times that’s a forgotten premise. Pump and reel!

I just purchased a Falcon Lowrider All ‘Round Fast MHF casting rod. I have a thread on it. It’s a fantastic rod!

If you’re after panfish, I agree with the suggestion to use #6 hooks. Panfish have small mouths. I’ve used Eagle Claw baitholder hooks for decades. 1/2 a nightcrawler (or less) on that hook under a bobber will catch panfish. If fished on the bottom, split shot will work. If you have slippage issues, tie a knot in the line under the split shot to keep it from sliding down.

First, what exactly are you using and what’s your primary quarry? In other words, if panfish is your main goal and bass is secondary, that’s different than if bass is numero uno and panfish are just an additional opportunity. If it’s bass, my suggestion for extreme simplicity and potential to catch fish is get a 6’ 6” or 7’ medium fast spinning rod and a 2000 or 2500 size spinning reel. Spool it with 6 or 8 lb mono. Buy some 1 or 1/0 wacky rig hooks, some 3/0 EWG worm hooks and a few packs of Yamamoto Senkos. My recommendations are green pumpkin w/black flake and #956. Fish them weightless (see @roadwarrior pinned Senko thread for tips). Fished as a weightless wacky rig or weightless Texas rig, a true 5” Senko has enough weight of its own to cast easily and it will catch fish. If snags are your big issue, the Texas rig with the hook point Texposed (where the point of the hook is reinserted just under the outside of the worm to make it weedless and less prone to snagging) will be your friend. If you’re comfortable spooling line on, do it yourself (watch one of Glenn’s videos on line spooling) or have your reel filled at a tackle shop. Either wacky or Texas rig, cast it out near cover and let it sink on semi-slack line. If the line starts running, reel the slack in and if a wacky, the hook will set itself. If a Texas rig, when you feel the bass, set the hook!

It can be discouraging very quickly if you lack experience, skill and your equipment is not set up properly. Especially as it sounds like this is not his first time out and has had issues previously. I started out bowhunting that way. No experience. No mentor. Equipment not set up properly. I got discouraged as well. And that was well before we had an Internet that made learning the how’s and whys a heck of a lot easier than going to the local public library for outdated books lol. The OP is asking for advice, guidance and encouragement. I say let’s give it to him.

Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG.

If you’re new, stick to a spinning reel. It’s simpler to learn. Eric 26’s suggestion of having your reel spooled at a tackle shop with 6 or 8 lb Berkeley XL is a good one. Dont get discouraged. Adversity is a great teacher.

My bank account is skeered of me looking at a Cara lol. They look like really nice rods. I like Fast for setting single hooks on soft plastics. That’s my primary fishing style. Also good on spinnerbaits.