BrianMDTX

I sent the OP a PM with a link to that knot. If you can’t tie this leader knot, you can’t tie your shoes lol. It’s that easy. I’ve only had one breakage (on a snagged jig from the bank) of the leader. It was at the knot on the bait. The leader knot was fine (although I did tie on a new leader). It’s a great knot!

I’ve never had it. I hope it stays that way, too. But, I did fall into stinging nettle as a boy wearing shorts. That was a painful mistake.

I think that may fit the bill as far as the rod.

I just watched a video on YT last week of some anglers fishing on Lake Raven in TX. He was casting a frog into lily pads and reeled in a big ol’ bullfrog. They will eat anything that fits!

Welcome! The Bait Monkey says hi, too! ?

I’ve never done all that great with green pumpkin. Now, watermelon with copper flake/orange with red flake? Bingo!

Rage craws and X-Zone Adrenaline craws

I have to admit, when I read “Finally got my goal bass, I’ve been hunting this fish for years. Countless hours and heartbreaks.” and saw your name was Mr. Aquarium, I was a bit concerned! ?

That’s a beauty of a bass. Congrats!

Yeah, that’s not for me at this time lol. Maybe something around $250 and change. A good, sensitive MHF no longer than 7’3” with split grips and cork and no micro guides.

I will say that my current Falcon (a MHF Lowrider All-‘Round Fast) is my favorite out of all the rods I own. That Expert intrigues me. That’s a rabbit hole. I once seriously considered having a custom rifle chambered in .411 Hawk (a .30-‘06 case blown out and loaded with .411-caliber Hawk 400-grain bullets. That got out-of-hand with $$$$ real fast. Custom rods are likely a little too pricey for my wallet.

How does that rod stack up against the Cara?

You have a good memory. That may be the road I go. A real quality rod with a decent reel. I spend more time fishing various soft plastics than any other bait type. Kinda makes sense to upgrade there.

Then I’d need a really good G. Loomis or similar to pair it with. Bait Monkey- Happy Wife- likely not as happy! ?

I fish mostly in waters no deeper than 8’-9’, so likely not a pressing issue. Although I’m starting to branch out to different bodies of water. That was a thought. Actually, a good thought.

…except the damned BM. I don’t think I really need another rig. I have three spinning and 5 baitcasting rigs that cover just about every presentation for Neds to frogs. But need and want are two different things. I have no desire for another spinning rig. As far as baitcasters, I have a MF, a MHMF, two MHF and a HF. The HF is set up for casting frogs, and the MHMF is my crankbait rig. I fish from an inflatable that’s low in the water, so I do not need a rig for pitching or flipping. And I’m not looking into acquiring a BFS rig. So discounting those, what niche do I need to fulfill?

That it do. The risk may be low, but no money lost on lures is worth diving in some bathwater-warm pond rife with microorganisms to me.

Welcome to BR!

Brain-eating amoeba. Jus’ sayin’.

I think it depends on the individual rod. I have a Daiwa Aird-X MF baitcasting rod and a Fenwick HMX MF spinning rod. The power and action on the Aird-X feels much more similar to my Dobyns Fury 705CB than it does to the HMX. I have no issues with using the Aird-X with crankbaits. Your MF rod may be like my Daiwa. @PBBrandon, I agree with you about the 705CB. I fish in a small inflatable and that rod is easily fished in it. I do like the smaller butt section. Mine is paired with a Daiwa Tatula 100H.

I use a MF for wacky rigs and also for weightless Texas rigs with Zoom Tricks, etc.

It was good to get out. Last week, I caught 10. This week? It happens! Beat the heck outta yard work!

Ok. I take that as a “solid” win for me lol!

Yeah, I was being a bit facetious. Didn’t even get to take a pic in my new Huk shirt holding a bass. So disappointing! ?

Not a great day. I had one hit a Whopper Plopper that threw the hook after 5 seconds, and two hit a Zoom Trick on a shakey head that threw the hook halfway to the boat. Bummer that I didn’t get one in the boat, but at least I had a few bites. The two shakey head bass weren’t very big, but the topwater one was decent.