BrianMDTX

ee cummings would have loved it!

My PB (6+ lbs) was caught on an UL rod with 8# mono on a #6 hook. I was looking for a fat bluegill lol.

I’m no expert, but if these bass were just stocked, they probably aren’t used to chasing and eating “real” food. They may not even realize what natural food is until they get hungry and no one is feeding them.

I had reading glasses but after moving I can’t find the darned things lol.

Can I still do C.O.D.?

I looked at various leader knots and decided to try the Lefty Krey knot. Takes about 30 seconds to tie. It might “knot” be as strong as an Alberto or FG, but it’s small and seems pretty strong. I pulled on one to try and break it and the leader snapped but not at the knot. I’ll practice the others, but I really have a hard time seeing thin diameter line.

I think "the next spot" always looks better lol. But I try and cast at least 20 times at a spot before I move on.

I have very limited experience with braid and only on spinning tackle. Tine will tell if I prefer it over mono or copoly and stick with it. For the pond fishing I do, it’s likely not necessary. Having 20# line at the same diameter as 8# mono is a plus. I’ve found that tying leaders is not as big a pain in the butt as I’d thought it would be. But simply tying on terminal tackle to main line is infinitely simpler and completely eliminates any potential issues with leader knots and guides. I did notice when reeling in that the knot is highly visible (to me) under water and can collect algae and weeds. Whether that bothers the bass remains to be seen. It is sensitive for sure. Whether that will equate to more hook-ups or not also remains to be seen. A lot of modern bass fishing reminds me of bowhunting and discussions with bowhunters. Almost all play the wind, but many (including me), eschew all the ScentLok gear, Ozonics, etc. We’re told we’re missing bucks we never see. Maybe. Who knows for sure? Would I truly miss strikes on mono or copoly that I would detect and catch on braid? That’s almost impossible to discern. About the only way I can think that would be viable would be to fish two identical rigs (one with mono, one with braid) daily for a period of time in the same location with the same lures and tally up felt strikes and hook-ups. And even that is subjective and open to many variables. At at the end, one should use what they like and have confidence with, as long as it matches the end result you’re looking for. I have a modern compound bow, but still hunt with XX78 2314 aluminum arrows. In today’s world I get many stares. “Too slow! They bend! They drop too much!”. But all my bowhunting has been in thick Eastern hardwoods where the average shot I’ve taken on almost 100 kills has been 17 yards. They hit like a hammer, the shot is quiet and they always pass-thru. Always. So it may appear antiquated, but it accomplishes the task I need it to do. If mono or copoly does that for a bass angler, I say use it and don’t lose a moment’s sleep.

Your dad had nice wheels! I had had a rod and reel like that, too. If I recall, I think the rod was steel.

Man, you can find anything on the internet! I remember seeing these ads in comic books as a boy in the 60’s. 411 pieces for $12.95! No low-profile baitcasters, finesse rigs, Senkos or jerkbaits in that grab bag! I actually remembered the “star drag found only on best reels” comment. Can’t remember where I left my keys some days but I remembered that!

A long time ago, my friend and I were taking his canoe to Piney Run reservoir in MD. At that time, being as the reservoir was located in a state park, you couldn’t fish until 9:00 am. As Liberty Reservoir was close, we stopped there to fish from the bank until Piney Run opened. It was almost 8:45 and he had been casting a Rapala floating minnow for 50-60 casts. I told him “let’s go!” and he said he wanted two more casts. He casted the Rapala and started to crank it in. The water was glass smooth and as he cranked I saw a wake coming from our right at least 45-50 yards out, making a beeline to the lure. It looked like a torpedo headed towards a ship in an old WWII movie. It crossed the water and slammed the lure hard. If I recall, it was close to 5 lbs. Happened in the early 80s and I still remember it vividly. Piney Run? All I remember is the canoe getting attacked by an angry beaver!

I do not wish to offend, but I find it strange that bass anglers will spend $25K and up on a bass boat (and X amount on maintenance, storage, etc.), purchase numerous $200, $300 and up rods and reels, yet will balk at purchasing a 10 ct bag of Senkos if over $5.00. Sure, if you can buy them cheaper, save some $$ (I just bought 4 packs for $23.96 from Scheels). But if they cost $7.95, I’d buy ‘em.

I am just getting back into fishing after a long hiatus. My first use of braid was yesterday lol. Had some issues with knots on FC leader breaking at the hook, but so far, no issues with the 20# Sufix 832 braid. I will say it’s not as easy to snip tag ends like mono (you need something that really clips the line clean), and take care pulling on it (it can cut you). But it lays flat and is sensitive. If I decided to forego braid, I would just respool with Yo Zuri hybrid and never lose sleep. Having said that, I also never tied a leader knot until yesterday. So far, it’s been a pleasure. Not to difficult to tie and that has not broken.

Let’s put it this way. It’s not set to 2-1/2 lbs verified on a calibrated measuring device, but it is set light. I never have a drag set heavy. Been tying Palomar and Improved Clinch knots for decades. I’ve never had a problem with just-tied knots breaking until I started using P Line Floroclear. The Palomar that broke on today’s possible PB was one hour old. I caught a 6+ lb bass (my PB) on 8# Stren mono on a 50 year-old reel and a 45 year-old rod a month ago with no problem. To be frank, I think this line is the problem.

What is THE true secret to just enjoying wetting a line and hopefully catching a fish, vs spending beaucoup bucks on rigs and tackle, countless hours fretting over what esoteric color combination or inch length of lure may be THE one and generally ending up frustrated and disheartened because all you caught were 2 lb’ers.

Well, to be honest, I thought I was purchasing a quality line from a reputable dealer. It’s the same dealer I’ve bought all my other line (braid, mono and copolymer) from, and as far as I knew, P Line was a not bargain basement product. All I know is I’ve never had so many knot failures in my life. And all in two days. I’ll never use it again.

That was a Palomar. Also had IC’s break at the hook eye as well. But the leader knot did not break. Why? Guess the best answer is I’ve being pulling the tag end on an IC knot with my teeth for 50 years and never had an issue before now. That’s how I learned to tie that knot from my dad. Even plain ol’ Stren 8# mono doesn’t do that.

Had a couple catches this morning than pond scum blew in. Once the action died I relocated to the opposite side. It’s tight and not much room to cast, so I left the baitcaster in the truck and just took my new finesse rig. After a while the action started to heat up. I got a strike immediately but before I could get him in, he threw the hook. Think I barely got his lip. Five minutes later I tossed the wacky rig back out and Bam! I knew it was big from go. She started making her run but I got her turned and headed towards shore. About 3’ from the bank she turned to the left and I saw her. I won’t guess weight, but she looked bigger than my PB of 6 lbs. And that’s when the knot on the hook broke. Now, I’ve had knots break in the past. But this is only Day 2 of using this new rig, with my first time using braid and a leader. I went with a hybrid leader- 8# P Line Floroclear So far I have had three knots break, and when pulling the tag end the line has broken when I pull on it with my teeth. I’ve never had line do this before. I knew I should have went elsewhere for 8# Yo Zuri, but it was unavailable. Is P Line good or did I just get a bad spool?

Got one more. One through the hook. But I lost what I know would have been my new PB. That’s a thread unto itself.

This morning started off hot but the breeze blew all the pond scum up my end of the pond and haven’t gotten a strike in 90 minutes. Caught two decent (not nice lol) bass early on a watermelon Senko wacky style on my new finesse rig.

Caught four bass maybe 8”-10”, but did catch one that was a little bigger. Not huge, but it was the first time out with my new finesse rig so I was happy to land it. But one took my hook and the Senko. It was substantially bigger. I should have retied the hook after getting snagged. Lesson learned!

Welcome to the forum and back to Texas! Just moved here last year. Great bass fishing for sure!

So may I ask, do you use some sort of pull gage to set your drag? Or tie it to a known weight? To be honest, I’ve always set it by the “pull” method. A little effort but not really pulling it with gusto and adjust until line starts coming off the spool.

So far, great. I think I may have put a little too much braid on (I have a couple instances of the braid falling off the spool, but I caught that before I got wind knots). I had a nice bass run off with a 1/0 circle hook and a Senko, but the knot may have been weakened on a snag earlier. So far my first leader knot is doing the trick. No memory and instant reaction to a strike is nice! I looked at a lot of knots. Someone posted a video of the Lefty Kreh knot. It’s simple, and having known about Lefty pretty much all my life (met him several times), if he used it, I trust it!

I try not to waste $$$ on junk (as my buddy’s now 90 year-old father told me 50 years ago, “you buy junk, you get junk”), but just getting back into fishing, I see no reason to start off with $500 rod and reel combos. It’s like buying a $1500 compound bow when starting out bowhunting. You ain’t good enough to utilize what a top-shelf bow (or rod and reel) gives you over a decent but not as techy rod and reel. So far I’m liking this combo. Very easy to cast weightless Senkos and the fast tip gives the bait some action. It looks good and seems to be a decent rod. For $53.00, it’s a steal!