BrianMDTX

All my spinning rigs are braid-to-leader. I tie on new leaders as required. But I can’t recall the last time I cut off a length of braid before I tied on a new leader. So far it’s never been an issue. Some braid (Sufix 832) has faded, but as said, hasn’t caused any issues. Do most cut off a foot or two of braid when tying on a new leader? More? Less? Just trim? I feel like I’m risking a potential failure yet so far, I haven’t had any issues at all. I don’t fish around rocks or zebra mussels so I’m not overly concerned about abrasion.

You need to be casting to some Gordon’s of Gloucester and catch some frozen filets!

I’ll be 65 this year. I have a small inflatable that’s very stable when I’m sitting. It’s advertised as being stable enough to stand in, but I guess I’m not stable enough lol, so I remain seated. I’d love to be able to stand, but I’d rather stay high and dry. I also leave the water when I feel I’ve been out long enough. Some days that’s 6-7 hours and some days it’s 4-5. I listen to my body more than I did when I was younger. It’s smarter than I am.

@LrgmouthShad It’s funny that I never truly thought about my difference in technique until this thread. But yeah, it’s more of a pinpoint cast to a specific location bait for me. But it’s very effective if there’s a lot of cover to fish. And very easy to skip.

@FishTax I often toss a Senko as a weightless Texas rig, but as a true Texas rig (to many anglers) includes a bullet weight, I did not choose that. But I do catch a lot of bass on it. But if I analyze my technique, I’d say that I work a true Texas rig all the way back to the boat/shore, whereas I use a weightless Senko TR to cast at specific spots I believe a bass is located, and if no strikes, I reel it in and recast it.

Just one? Ok, if I had to pick just one TR, it’d like be a Rage Craw in green pumpkin, a 3/16 oz. tungsten bullet weight and a Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG. But I’m not going to pick just one lol.

I still work a Mann’s Jelly Worm in Blackberry at times.

Do they sell ice breaker canoes? 🤣

I was looking at my pics and the last time I went fishing before yesterday was New Year’s Eve. January (for here) was cold. Nothing like you have to deal with though! Siebert makes some nice baits. Can’t wait to hear your report. You are a bass fishing machine!

The weather finally took a turn for the better (75° and sunny right now at 2:15 pm). Little chilly in the early morning so I waited until after 9:00 am to hit the water. Nothing on nothing, and I mean nothing…except for a weightless green pumpkin Rage Menace on a 3/0 EWG. Only caught three, but the first was 3 lbs, the 2nd almost 2.5 and the 3rd was 1.5 lbs. Lotta fun with a Daiwa Revros LT2000 on a St. Croix Bass-X MLF rod (20 lb. braid to 8 lb. mono leader). Four hours-three bass. Which was exactly three more than anyone else caught lol. The last one was gut-hooked. Got the hook out successfully through the gills but I wanted it back in the water ASAP. All good!

@Big Hands I’ll second the Daiwa Aird-X for that price point. It’s hard to beat for the money. Between $100-$150, the Falcon Lowrider is a great rod.

Daiwa Yamamoto Neko Macho. Yes, you can fish it as a Neko rig. But I have good success as a weightless TR with a 3/0 EWG. I say “weightless”, but it’s a heavy bait for a soft plastic and casts well from a BC without additional weight. It skips great and stays clean for the most part in weeds and algae.

I’m originally from Maryland, so it was shocking to see how little homes here are protected from freezing temperatures. I realize it’s not a season-long issue like it is up north, but exposed and uninsulated PVC pipe for water lines is sheer madness. I’m X’ing the days remaining off the calendar lol.

Been an unusual winter here in this part of Texas. Normally I’d wake up to 55° or warmer temps, and be out on the water by 8:00 with relatively clear skies and reaching 60°+ highs. Woke up this morning to 32°. Just had a record snowfall earlier in the week and temps as low as 18°. But it won’t be long until the bass here get ready to spawn, so I’m keeping the faith.

I watched every AFC playoff game. Of all three, only one featured two teams from the same division who play each other 2x a year and know each other intimately. And added to that, it’s likely the best rivalry in the NFL at the moment. And while the final score was only a two TD difference, the Ravens dominated the Steelers and thoroughly confused that defense. The Bills are a good team. Allen and Jackson are without a doubt the two too contenders for MVP. But King Henry is absolutely beast mode and sharing a backfield with Lamar behind a young but good OL is a big plus in a game in the cold. Buffalo ran roughshod over Denver, but now they are facing the #1 rush defense in the NFL. Two elite QB’s vying for a ticket to the AFCC. It’s going to be a hell of a game.

You’ll have to ask @fishballer06

Yeah, they look good!

NYE. Last day of 2024. Yesterday was gorgeous with a high of 80°. But it was our 36th wedding anniversary. And truth be told, I was not tempted to go fishing lol. Today is bluebird skies but much cooler and breezier. About 54° when I launched the boat. Not getting a bite on anything. Swim jig, topwater, chatterbait, Texas rigged Zoom Trick. Not even a Senko TR. Then I put a green pumpkin Rage Bug on a 3/0 EWG as a weightless TR and finally, two bass decided they would eat it. Not big, but 7 other anglers were fishing and these were the only two fish caught, so I’ll take that with a smile. Not a bad 2024 and a good way to close it out!

Got my Fishmas gift today. Don’t know who it’s from, but thanks and Merry Fishmas to whomever sent it! Got two crankbaits and spinnerbait, and some nice soft plastics. Especially creature baits and craws in colors I know work!

I missed out on a golden opportunity lol.

I really liked Sunline Shooter Defier, but alas, ‘tis no more. 15 lb. at the same diameter as most 12 lb. line was nice. I'm back to Big Game and/or Yo Zuri Hybrid.

lol. I call it the A-Jay Special. I guess it’s truly a Texas Rig Jig, but whatever it’s true name is, it works.

FYI: just placed an order from TW and with standard shipping the estimated delivery date is 12/20.

It’s the Four F holiday. Food. Family. Fall. Football. It’s my favorite holiday. Favorite. Hmmm…that’s Five F’s! 🤣

I think, if I’m really being honest with myself, that “sensitivity” depends on the angler as much, if not more so, than the rod. An experienced angler may detect strikes vs. wood, rocks, grass, etc. with twine on a broomstick vs an inexperienced angler with a high-end rig. As I’ve gained more experience on the water, I’ve come to discover that I can detect the differences better now working a Texas rig on one of my older Aird-X rods then I could 2-3 years ago. Yeah, my Kistler Helium is more sensitive, but how much more does it make me a better angler? I’m sure a little, but maybe not as much as I (did) think it does.