PaulVE64

Here is the best one I've seen for the line sizes I use.

I've tied alot of FG knots but none of them looked like that. Youtube vid is the way to go. I dont use the technique in that video but if you're getting tension on the lines it will work.

I have a 7.5' MLXF and I preferred a 3000 size reel for the line pickup. The Tatula is a great reel but there are so many in the LT line from Daiwa.

Matte black for low vis or low light.

My waters see a 70° F temperature swing. That has a huge effect on what plastic craw will get bit. Rage bugs/craws, hula grubs do really well in summer, but a pitboss, adrenaline bug work better early and later when the water cools. Nothing works in the winter.

Those darn smallies! Sounds like a great day and I'm jealous. If I catch a dozen dinks in a day its epic.

I fish for in shallow current for river smallies up in Ontario which most people would call crystal clear water. I use spinning gear normally between 6 ft and 7.5' MLXF to MF with #20 or #15 hi vis braid to 5' of #12 mono (Trilene XT) leader. I use the FG knot and a uni at the bait and my drag is set at #1.5 to #2.5 unless I'm frogging or using heavy wire hooks in the salad. I don't worry too much about trees since the river current flushes them out. I didn't like fluoro because I had too many knot problems (probably user error) and my bass didn't seem to notice or care. In fact going straight braid is almost never a problem even when I finesse fish. But I prefer the mono leader because I dislike braided line wrapping the tip guide between casts and wrapping in the hooks on long casts.

As a teenager I was up in Algonquin Park with a buddy on a two week canoe trip. On the 3rd day out we found 2 rods, reels and a tackle box at the end of a portage. We hadn't seen anyone those three days, the gear might have been there for weeks. We ate fresh lake trout everyday of that trip and many similar trips after that. My wife enjoys camping and canoeing too, in fact every one of my kids has enjoyed breast milk heated over a camp fire. In the past few years I've been lucky enough to go fishing in the Alberta Rockies and out on the Prairies. Its all very scenic/remote and the fishing is world class but its a bit overwhelming when you first realize that any bear encounter means they''ll likely never find your body.

Light wire hooks and trebles I'm probably 2# drag, heavy wire I am around 6#

I will take a great fight over a big fish. Probably why I fish river smallies.

You've cone to the right place, there are alot of great sticks with helpful advice on just about everything to do with bass.

Best of luck then.

I've heard of plastisol reacting with elaztech but I thought silicone and rubber were okay?

If I remember correctly you've been having trouble with losing fish after the hookset. Could be you're horsing them in.

Probably wrong assuming you're not a Canadian resident Non-Canadian residents Anyone who is not an Ontario or Canadian resident is considered a non-Canadian resident for the purposes of fishing licence regulations. Most non-Canadian residents require an Outdoors Card and recreational fishing licence to fish in Ontario, including those 65 years of age or older. The following exceptions apply. Non-Canadian residents under 18 years of age may fish without an Outdoors Card and licence if accompanied by a person who has a valid Ontario recreational fishing licence. Any fish kept are part of the catch and possession limit of the person who holds the licence. Alternatively, non-Canadian residents under 18 years of age may purchase an Outdoors Card and recreational fishing licence to have their own limits. Non-Canadian youth, under 18 years of age, attending an organized camp that provides meals and accommodates a minimum of five campers may use a government issued photo identification (or a photocopy) together with a camp identification card as a deemed licence to fish. The camp identification card must state the name and location of the camp, the name and date of birth of the camper and the dates that the camper is at the camp. These campers must follow conservation limits.

It doesn't matter to me as much as how it feels in my hand. I typically use oversized reels so a heavier rod wouldn't be a problem for me.

Maybe I'm too far north? All that rain has left my river in flood since April. I've been reduced to pond fishing for large mouth and panfish

They remind me of walleye rigs

Couple of thoughts. The Aird-x is a great rod under $100 but its slower than you might want for throwing jigs. But if your throwing spinnerbait, crankbaits, swimbaits it's the right rod. For a quicker tip try the St Croix Triumph or the Fenwick Eagle.

Daiwa BG runs like a champ year after year

Yep, A slower rod.

I don't understand happens in the relay? No medal in like 24 years but all every guy makes the 100 finals. Why not just take the 4th to 8th fastest runners and teach them to pass the baton?

Hope you hook into an acrobatic one!

My hookset ratio has been really good but I've recently started using a new rod and my ratio is down to 2 for 10. What heartbreak. This rod us my longest and slowest . Changing my hookset has given me the fits. I lost a 20" smallie on the jump, I ripped his lip whaling back on the line while he was head shaking.