BrianMDTX

I’ll do that. The ol’ WP batted .000 this morning lol. But only three bass so it was a hot, tough day.

I have one, but somehow, somewhere I lost the rear seat and screw. It’s an old (like 70s vintage) Abu Garcia MF rod, so I’m probably not missing on much other than nostalgia. But I did like those grips.

Wow. Just...wow.

Wow. That sucks X2.

So, there are a lot of differing opinions as to when anglers tie on rigs. But, if you do so 3-4 days in advance of a trip, do you think that has any affect on knot strength? Discounting any damage, of course. Just the length of time.

I originally posted this in the Tackle Forum: Soft plastics are made of Plastisol, which is composed of PVC and other polymers mixed with a plasticizer (which makes the product flexible and pliable). Although they are initially heated and poured into molds. Plastisol’s melting point is 320°-350°F. Boiling water is 212°F. So while boiling soft plastics will not remelt them, it likely affects the pliability and flexibility much as annealing metals alters the physical and sometimes chemical properties of a material to increase its ductility and reduce its hardness. It would be interesting to see the difference between boiled soft plastics that are allowed to cool naturally and those that are immediately quenched in both warm and cold water.

I wish I had a dog in this fight lol. I’d love a bass boat, but have no ability to park it at home so I’d have to pay for space at a marina. I thought about a kayak, but unless I stow it in the garage, I’d have to store it in the backyard. Plus I’d need a hitch and extension, wheels, etc (I’m no spring chicken any more). And last but certainly not least, I don’t have the desire to spend $$ or $$$ on a yak, or $$$$$$$ on a bass boat. So I spent $ on a small inflatable boat. Lightweight, easy to carry, stores (deflated) in a Rubbermaid tote, and modified with a cheap 7” pedestal and lowback bass boat seat, and a two-rod holder behind the seat, I sit up with good vision and the ability to cast and play fish well without spare rigs in my way. Is it very roomy? No. Is it fast? No. Does it get me out on the water in ponds and small lakes where I had no access? Yes! So far I’m very pleased with it. It all depends on what you want. I simply wanted to get off the bank as inexpensively and as easily transportable as possible. I achieved my goal.

I ordered a Aird X on Amazon (had an Amazon gift card) on 07/01. Said it was due to arrive on 08/24. Still none in stock. I cancelled it and ordered a Daiwa Procyon PRCN661MXS instead. Looks like a nice rod. I have a Shimano Sienna to put on it.

Today is Wednesday. If you were planning on fishing this Saturday, would you tie on the lures or hooks you planned to fish with that morning? Friday evening? Today? I just tied on a WP 75 on one baitcasting rig and a 4/0 EWG on another for a 9” Mann’s Jelly Worm TR, and a 1/0 octopus hook for a 5” Senko WR on my spinning gear. Do you find that an acceptable amount of time ahead of a trip to tie on lures, or is as “fresh” as possible the best bet for knot strength? I used to have some rigs tied on a long time. But I’m catching bigger fish than I used to, and having lost a few decent bass (not necessarily to having the lures tied on too long; more likely that I neglected to retie after a snag), I figure whatever decreases the percentage of knot failures is the way to go.

That’s what I do. And my “feel” is likely more prone to be on the light side. I’d rather have a fish run and pull line vs. snapping it.

I’m comfortable with 6’6” to 7’. Then again, on ponds I don’t really have the need to bomb lures in a different time zone lol.

I’ll make this short and sweet. Haven’t really fished in almost 30 years until this May. Moved from MD to TX last August. Since May: Caught my PB (22” between 6 and 7 lbs); likely double over my best ever Catch at least one bass over 2 lbs on every trip but one Caught my first bass on a spinnerbait two weeks ago Caught my first topwater bass (4 lbs.) ever on a Whopper Plopper 75 last Sunday Got two new baitcasting and one spinning rig since June (and when my new rod shows up I’ll have a 2nd new spinning rig) Bought a Sea Eagle Packfish 7 to get me out on the water (first boat in 40 years) Having the best year of fishing in my life!

Just picked up a Daiwa Aird X AIRX661MFB rod for $49.99.

So, other than Captain Obvious reasons like needing a shorter rod for fishing tight cover from the bank (or simply preferring a shorter or longer rod on principle), what’s the real scoop on rod lengths? In other words, if I have a choice between a 6’6” or a 7’ MHF rod, what is the real driver of one length over the other? Casting distance? Accuracy? Sensitivity?

I know, as basically what you said is correct. You won’t win Powerball, find treasure, win big at poker or anything like that. But you’ll sleep well!

The “reward” is knowing that deep inside, you are a good and honest person. Ethical behaviour is doing the right thing when no one else is watching—even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”

Well, I’ve never caught a fish on a buzz bait, but just caught a 4 lb bass on Sunday on a WP, so that’s answers the question for me!

Start coughing. Loudly.

Neither. I’ve been using YZH. But...I do not have to punch heavy vegetation.

Even that one was pretty awesome. I was not expecting it to simply disappear without a sound. But I’ll compare to an explosion when I get one. It's coming!

It was not an explosion. The lure hit the water, I waited several seconds, started to crank the handle and...it was gone. She must have come up right underneath and sucked it under as quietly as can be. I might have to feed the bait bait monkey and buy a couple more Whopper Ploppers lol.

I have never caught a bass on a topwater lure (not counting 5”-7” bass on panfish poppers when I was a lad). But as I have been catching bass on different lures lately (last week was my first spinnerbait catch), I bought a Whopper Plopper 75 in sungill to try out. I got on the water just as light was on the horizon. I reached the spot I wanted to fish and...nothing. Well, almost nothing. I had a swirl right after the WP hit the water once and that was it. Switched to WR and TR plastics and caught a dink but it was dead. Then I saw baitfish being chased and I knew the bite was on. I switched back to the WP and made a cast, then another. As soon as I started the retrieve, the lure was gone. She really put up a fight. 20” and 4 lbs. She really swallowed that lure deep but I got it out and she swam away. Later on I switched back to a WR and lost a nice fish as I was trying to get my net out. Probably a 2 lb’er. 15 minutes later I started working the 5” Senko back to the boat and simply felt dead weight. Turned out to be an 18” bass about 3 lbs. All-in-all, a good morning on the pond!

Just got my TW order I placed 5 days ago. One pack each of 5” watermelon/orange-red copper fk and electric blue Senkos, Mann’s 9” Jelly Worm in blackberry and some 1/4” tungsten bullet weights.

Some of my fondest memories were catching anything from bass, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, yellow perch and channel cats casting whole or half nightcrawlers, or crappies on minnows. On the bottom or a bobber. Just cast it out...and relax. But it while it can make a relaxing and enjoyable fishing trip, it’s not truly comparable to catching fish on something that’s not really food. Yeah, sometimes you cast a lure and get a strike without doing a thing, but most of the time it’s the angler working the lure, and that makes for a more satisfying experience. To me lol.

I use O-rings religiously on WR but I do not need a tool. Starting at the pointy end they seem to slide on without much difficulty. Not that $5.49 is $$$, but is it necessary?