BrianMDTX

I’m a manager of line maintenance for a major air carrier. Been a challenge for sure during the pandemic.

Academy has a Dobyns Fury FR705CB available locally. Going to check it out tomorrow and if I like it, I’m buying it. The Tatula 100 arrived today. It looks like a nice reel.

Without a doubt some sort of weightless Texas rig. 5" Senko, Zoom Trick, Neko Macho and a few others. A 5" Senko wacky rig is close, but I can fish a TR in more types of structure and cover with less chance of snags than I can a WR.

Looks good. Falcon builds some great looking rods.

Entered!

No kidding!

I don’t know what the bigger surprise was. The line strength, or my knot strength lol. I use the IC a lot. Simple to tie and I know it’s normally a decent knot. But I though the knot would break before the hook straightened out. And that’s a good hook.

Absolutely. I just caught this 3.64 lb bass a few days ago on a Mann’s Jelly Worm on a 3/0 EWG with a 1/8 oz tungsten bullet weight. It’s blackberry, which is like a real, dark, blackish purple. Great worms! I like Zoom Mag II’s in purple.

That’s my favorite wacky rig hook. Reel in the slack and it’s hooked. They are sharp as well.

Nice bass, hokie. Looks like your wacky rigging it.

I’ve used a lot of XL but this is my first time using BG. For 10 lb line, it’s brutally strong. I could not believe how much force I was pulling and the line or knot was not breaking. Especially as it’s so inexpensive. I’m impressed!

I also looked at that rod. I have a Daiwa Procyon MF spinning rod and for the $$ it’s a nice rod.

Bad news. I got snagged yesterday with Mann’s Jelly Worm on a Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG hook. I could not free it, so I decided to pull the line until the line or knot (Improved Clinch) snapped. Neither happened. I pulled and pulled until the hook started to straighten out. I lost the worm but saved the tungsten weight (the hook is trashed lol). I was shocked the line, and especially the knot, outlasted the hook lol. Gives me confidence!

Turn the knob like you’re removing the spool until it’s loose, then turn it back to tighten until you start to feel resistance. Grab your line just before the first guide and pull smoothly but firmly. If it’s easy to pull the line, tighten the knob a bit more and check it again. Continue until the drag is set to where you have to put a little effort in pulling the line to get the drag to release line as you pull. Check videos on this site if you need further assistance.

I replied in your other thread, but I like a Gamakatsu circle octopus hook. It’s not weedless, but as I normally cast a Senko WR once, let it sink and reel it in and recast, I avoid most weeds. Lifting and working it back to a boat isn’t that bad. To the bank can be nightmarish if you fish ponds like I do.

First off, in my “not as experienced as most” opinion, an EWG hook on a wacky rig is lipstick on a pig. There are numerous hooks available for wacky rigs. Use a correct wacky rig hook. Whether you use o-rings or not, the hook makes a difference. I like a 1/0 circle octopus hook for Senkos. Others prefer more traditional wackybrig hooks (they are labeled “wacky rig hooks”. But I lost more fish using 20 lb braid to 6 lb leader than using straight 6 lb mono. I think the stretch of mono helps with hook sets on wacky rigs. When you cast a wacky rig, it sinks on semi-slack line. Once again, in my opinion, you will get most strikes on the initial cast and sink. If your slack line starts running, or stops before it hits bottom, raise your rod tip to about 45° and reel in the slack until the line is tight. If using a correct hook, the bass will set the hook itself. A 3/0 EWG is my favorite hook for most soft plastic Texas rigs. It’s not a good wacky rig hook.

As a rule I don’t fish a lot of crankbaits. Most tend to pick up a lot of weeds and debris in the ponds I fish. I have been using jerkbaits more frequently and some squarebills. It’s a bait type I need to explore more.

I will look at that. Never used a moderate fast action before.

So, technically not a “purchase”, as my taxidermist back home (he lives in DE) sent me all these soft plastics for free. Some are new but most look vintage. He particularly mentioned these JW Lures Ding-a-ling worms. Anyone ever use these? They look good!

I got a good deal on a NIB Tatula 100H 6.3:1 baitcasting reel. Now I need a rod. I have Daiwa Aird-X MF and MHF, Falcon Lowrider MHF and a Fenwick HMX HF rods now. I was contemplating a Dobyns Fury 7’ MF but am open to suggestions. Looking to spend under $150.00. I have a Daiwa Fuego on the Falcon set up as my main soft plastics rig. I figure to use the Tatula more for spinnerbaits, crankbaits and other moving baits. Not sure if I should go MF or MHF. And I may try fluoro for the first time.

I can almost guarantee those numbers and weights would please 98% of the posters here. I’d be ecstatic with that. My best day ever was 12 bass in about 4 hours between 1-3 lbs and I was crazy happy with that lol. Glad you had a great day!

Sometimes they just don’t bite. Just makes a good day even better when they do.

I’m in the same boat as Ned rigs seem to pick up a lot of muck. Still trying, though.

Agreed. But unlike some MLB player that doesn’t wash his lucky hat, I do believe in laundry! But I do need to expand my choice in fishing attire.

If you can get that for $49.99, it does sound like a steal.