MidwestBassAttack

Slack line sensitivity and I just have more confidence in Fluoro for jig techniques. Since it’s bottom contact I like the better abrasion resistant qualities as I’m dragging over rocks, timber, etc

All fluoro here for this angler. The ONLY time I use braid is for topwater or if I’m flipping grass in the heat of summer.

Thanks…sounds like it’s exactly what I’m after!

Have a chance to return my Lews BB1 Pro and Falcon Cara Amistad for an NRX+894c. Thoughts from anyone on this? Is the 894 a bit beefier than the 873crr? I would be using this for dedicated jig/Texas rigs…..either 3/8 or 1/2oz plus trailer.

No need for a longer rod….7-7’3” is the sweet spot. Your rods and reels seem just fine. Take that 20lb braid off and put on a 15-17lb Fluoro or mono. Make sure your baits are at least 3/8oz and above (total weight). Spool tension set to where the bait drops slowly and when it hits the ground, spool stops with no over run. Brakes set on a high setting then back then off slowly. Fine tune from there. Practice, Practice, and Practice. You can’t “buy” your way into becoming a master caster.

I love supporting the small shops. Here in the Chicago area and suburbs we have quite a few “boutique” tackle shops all while having a Cabela’s, and two Bass Pro Shops all within a 50 mile radius. The smaller shops are more personable and if you become a regular, they will always knock off a few bucks for you. It’s that small personalized service such as knowing your name, stocking some of your personal favorites, or ordering something special. The big box stores are hit and miss but the smaller ones are consistent and special. Anglers International, Lee’s Bait and Tackle, Fishing Connection, Angler’s Outlet, and Angelo’s are my absolute favorites and I will happily give them all my business over a big box store any day!

I’ve been using something very similar from Berkeley as a chatterbait trailer. So far so good! I think they were a newer release. Liking the action! Think you will have good results with those. Good luck and be safe out there!

I love hearing stories like this. Kudos to you…if only we had more out there like you! I love doing the same when I see kids eager to learn the sport. Love seeing them out without their faces buried in a tablet or phone. I was out once and happened across a kid of about 10-12. He was all decked out in Favorite Fishing apparel. I noticed he had the Abu Black Max (seems we all cut our teeth on this) and a no name Walmart rod. Super good kid and very respectful. As he bid his farewells moving down the bank, I gifted him a Favorite Phantom Rigged rod. He was ecstatic and it was great seeing his reaction. Fast forward about a year later, I ran into him again….still using the rod I gave him. Remember, be kind out there folks…you never know just how much of an impact you might make on someone!

Geez….can you fill me in on what it’s like to have a wife that shares the same interests? My wife just rolls her eyes and says “your back already?” when I return from my trips. Thats ok though….the next time I go out to the lake I’m taking every single rod and reel I own while she receives a special delivery of papers ?

The last time I made a massive hook set, I put too much faith in a fart. Needless to say my buddies were laughing hysterically while I waddled off into the woods.

3/8 - 1/2 oz jig plus trailers and Texas rigs with 3/8 oz bullet. 17-20lb Pline Tactical…although I have been eyeing some 25lb Shooter

You are catching some mighty fine bass there my friend!! Nice!! Any local anglers interested in a meet up? Would be cool to get together and wet some lines! We can also be our own “hard water support group” through the winter. Ive been trying to round up some buddies for a fishing trip to Lake Fork or Okachobee but we can never get schedules to align. Im out in Naperville

Howdy partner…sending a warm welcome from Naperville!!

7’3” without a doubt. I’m a bank banger and I find this is the sweet spot for distance and accuracy. Me and a 7’3” go together like peas and carrots.

Have a new Falcon Cara Amistad and the new Lews BB1Pro out for delivery today! Can’t wait to get them rigged up tonight. I told the wife that I don’t exist this weekend. 70’s and sunny in the Chicago burbs’….gotta hit it while the weather is still good!

This is defined as “Gettin’ jiggy with it” Sorry….I just had to. Enjoy football season out there!! I’ll have to check out those North Stars

Since I bank fish public waters, I’m often adventurous to get to any spot that looks good but hard to get to. Early in the spring, I was fishing a great spot about an hour away. This spot was about 25-30 feet below the trail I was on. Holding three rods and my tackle bag on my back, I “graciously slid” (#fell #tumbled) down to the spot. This was early spring so the cliff/hill side was soft and muddy with protruding roots and branches which my gonads were introduced to many times. Got to the bottom covered in scratches, caked in mud, with ripped jacket and bibs. Finally after about an hour or more of fishing and getting skunked in the process, decided to pack up and try another spot. Then I realized the daunting task of wondering how the hell Im going to get back up. After an hour of failed attempts, pulled muscles, and sweat pouring down my face, I managed to get back to the top…only to bump my tackle bag and watch it tumble all the way back down to the bottom. At that point, I did what any true BassResource angler would do. Said screw it, got back to the truck, went straight to Bass Pro and bought a new bag, tackle, bibs and jacket to cure my pain and suffering. Walking through Bass Pro I felt like Steve Martin from Planes, Trains, and Automobiles after he made his trek on foot from the rental car lot back to the counter. Was not a pretty scene.

Lack of consistency in blank suppliers. Each reintroduction of a series typically has a different blank. 2019 models had the NFC blanks and then I believe in 2021, they refreshed and now have a different blank. Of course, this could also happen with various other manufacturers in retrospect for all we know. The Z-bones and Helium are on my radar I will say. I do like the bare bones simplicity look as opposed to JDM bling.

Yeah I agree….it’s the one thing that has kept me away from them. Lack of consistency in components. Should’ve just kept the NFC blanks for their builds.

I LOVE the Amistad. In fact, have a Cara on the way this week! I used the new Cara Amistad last season as a frogging stick. Never lost a fish. Had just the right amount of tip to launch a Spro 65 and enough give to let the fish take it good before I hammered him. The Amistad XH is like a pool cue. That extra fast tip along with braid just rips that frog away.

Time to get the waterworks going and give good ole’ Trey a call!

Flipping stick…something heavy or extra heavy with a fast tip if your flipping with fluorocarbon; moderate fast tip if your flipping with braid

Looks like frog territory to me for topwater and a Texas rigged creature bait…pegged

17lb P-Line Tactical for my spinners and chatters. The absolute best fluorocarbon line I’ve come across. Darn bear bulletproof in the abrasion resistance department!

White spinnerbait got me 7 LM last Saturday here in Northern IL. All were in the 2-3lb range…Saturday’s bag was just slightly under 18lbs total!!!!