softwateronly

If you go casting/bfs this rod has the right tip in my opinion and at 7'8 with a stock alphas air it sends, I frequently spool with small spoons. If you go with the ML instead, I don't think you want the solid tip so be aware as the labeling is very similar.... https://www.digitaka.com/item/29/6/140/4573236273983 https://www.majorcraft.co.jp/5g/blackporgy/ scott

Rerange, stunnas, world divers, pointers have all worked for me, but I've resigned myself to just lean on 110+1 jr and the nishine MD and the money they cost. The nishine has great action with a short, light, tieable wireleader that wards off the pike by catches so I havent lost any in years, but I haven't found a way to make the 110+1 jr's work this way yet. scott

It's just casting practice.... scott

3/16 is usually where I start. If the wind is killing the feel, I'll upsize. scott

It's a brutal time of year for glide baits on my water. I'll probably start throwing them again in october after the first big cool down. I've caught on perch, shad, and bone thru the years. Can't say I've seen a difference in color. scott

It's cool man, this one is platinum. Only the best... scott

I usually choose to fish swimjigs over spinnerbaits in the summer, but this year the water has been high and off colored for weeks straight. I've had good luck slow rolling compact spinnerbaits w/out trailers in 10-15 fow. I usually slow roll down the hydrilla tops on breaks, but also do well paralleling the deep weed lines. Unfortunately, I've had 3 pike bite offs and 2 mangled by frequent catches and I'm down to my last war eagle and out of sv-3's. This is the first time on my water that a spinnerbait has been this effective during the daytime in june/july for me and it's been fun. I think I've been mimicking shad, but I'm catching in areas full of juvenile bluegill, so I don't know. Lots of fun by catches too.... scott

Me too, similar size to the bull worm but the neutral buoyancy looks fantastic underwater. scott

It's worked in MI too... scott .

@Sea NaCl Sounds and certainly looks like the perfect scenario, Nice fish!! scott

^^^ I definitely concede that river fish are different, but when comparing slack water fish I'm going with DO, water temp, individuality, and possibly then the competitiveness of the environment as reasons. but this is just an opinion. scott

Yes. All rod companies and even lines within companies have different actions even if the labels are similar. A rod that doesn't load, doesn't cast or at least not well. Take the time to take your best casting 1/2oz rod, put your other reels on it with the same bait, and you will get a sense of where the reel and line fall into the equation. scott

@August I think it's just a quirk of translation. Everything looks legit to me. scott

On a side note, I'm certainly available to take care of your 7-9+lb lmb problem. My company, softwateronly, exists solely for this purpose and our rates are reasonable, and down right free if you have flexible timing. scott

The short answer is I can cast lighter than 1/2oz on all my setups designed to do that. I'm not the right person to diagnose your specific issues, there are far more knowledgeable people here that will probably do that. My 150 sized reels are reliable from 3/8-1.5oz on the right rod, my 70/100 sized reels 1/4-1.25oz on the right rod, and bfs is coming in around 2.5-20g on the right rod. Unfortunately, your problem might be a little of all 3; rod, reel, line. But first, I would want to know if your rod is loading properly under 1/2oz as the first step. scott

@Pat Brown @casts_by_fly and @Mike L are saying the same things that I've noticed too. If I know fish are there, but uninterested I lean toward making sure I check; big/small, fast/slow, high/low and all the combos of the above. I'm a firm believer that finding the right profile at the right speed in the right spot can dramatically increase your odds of getting a bass to react when they might otherwise might be content to let your offering go past. I don't always think it's efficient to camp out on a spot and do this, but I've certainly had to do it before and will have to do it in the future. scott

Here's a detailed timeline rundown of Gary loomis' graphite innovation. Might help you ballpark it better... https://www.theflyfishingforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/g-loomis-fly-rods-1982-1997.707589/ scott

2nd from the top of the rods, reels, line, and knots section.... scott

@CaughtMeABiggun I get what you're saying in the post above, but your title was much more open and I think that's why this post has the engagement level that it does. This isn't an "enthusiast level" gear site, but it certainly is an enthusiast level or better bass fishing and catching site. I find myself fortunate to live in the upper middle end of the cost spectrum and can add my perspective to that area. Vanford, Curado, and Tatula with Exprides, Champions, Avids, and Phenix Feathers are all quality lineups that will last and keep you happy for years. If you're in this category, you owe yourself a visit to digitaka, etc to look at a diawa alphas 800S and a major craft Days 2 piece. Truly remarkable quality combo for just under $300. scott

Happy Happy!!

I'd think your thumb should be the first correction. But adjust away on the tension knob, I have moved every single one of mine without poor results. scott

I've been really impressed with the MC Days 692M and have a 692MH on the way. I have a handful of exprides, but find the MC actions have a more versatile tip and find them equal in sensitivity and about half price. There are 6'6 versions of each, but I believe the actions are slightly different in comparison to the 6'9 versions. Digitaka has most in stock and the major craft site explains the differences in actions between the different lengths. The days 360 610M and 66MH are amazing, but single piece only. scott

Maybe not the right price, but... https://thehookuptackle.com/products/ds-14-custom-sinker?variant=42751459164327 scott

I have a couple curado dc's for a few years now. I like them just fine, but prefer a mgl spool at this time and therefore would also not rank them as the best reel. If you are going to buy a reel, you owe it to yourself to check out some jdm sites. Asian Portal and Digitaka are the ones I've used most frequently. There are others as well. This would be my current Shimano choice... https://asianportal-fishing.com/products/4969363044617 scott

@new2BC4bass, I'm better than you, my friend my friend I do like braid though because I can pick it out 95% of the time. scott