softwateronly

I’m a recent convert to the Gammy G-finesse hybrid worm hook. So far perfect hook up ratio w/ 8-12” worms on a M+ rod w/ 16lb leader. 5/0 is a big hook, larger than most. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gamakatsu_G-Finesse_Hybrid_Worm_Hook_4pk/descpage-GFHW.html scott

First off, you can't go wrong. If the 843 is glx or above, I'd choose that one, if not, the expride. scott

I find this hard to believe. I would look at forage, habitat, and pressure to influence genetics, but not so drastically in such a short (biologically speaking) timeframe. There's probably a missing middle of forage available that allows the pike to break through energy in/energy out equation. scott

I'm not sure how you feel about your expride, but the 7'7H/MF is an interesting rod for me for bigger treble hook baits, glides and magdrafts, and lots of single hook baits, as well. I have the A version which is rated to 2oz, so I'm not sure if the B series changed up the action any. scott

A 7" glide bait at 1oz opens up a world to people who don't want to fully go down the swimbait rabbit hole. I'm interested in it. scott

Thanks to Tom, I've been using 11lb on an almost BFS rig this year, it is thin, strong, and sensitive. My definite next mono purchase when I work through the maxima ultragreen I already own. scott

I've gotten comfortable with the fg, and now tie it as my connection knot 90% of the time. Definitely recommend it. One detail that escaped me was, after setting the knot, you have to get the leader trimmed as tight as possible. Any little leader nub will catch on casts and over time will stress/unravel the knot. Nail clippers are great for this. Over the course of a year, I'll see some line twist in the braid right at the knot and that's when I retie it. scott

I think you have to buy both the M and L. For me, the plastics last longest on the largest cps you can get away with. scott

I'm a bantam fan, it's my favorite reel. I've only held an x-bites, but I think the bantam is unnecessarily heavy for that rod. Shimano, I'd go Met. Diawa, Zillion or Alphas. I know it's only 1.5oz, but I'm a sucker for that good balance. scott

Your rod can definitely throw s-waver 168's and gantarel jr's if you wanna try some hard baits. It's hard to throw much of anything over 6" on a jig rod. 6" creeper trash fish, 5" burrito and 6" scottsboro swimbaits if you wanna try some other soft swimmers that have worked well for me. scott

I've had terrible luck hitting them hard on a ned hook. I definitely do a lot better reeling into them, bowing up the rod, and sweeping up very smoothly while reeling, seems like the bigger ones tend to not even know they're hooked immediately. Maybe it's my ML rod, maybe it's the way I set my drag, but my hookup ratio has improved dramatically. The obvious question, is your hook sharp? scott

Ospreys moved into my lake area a few years back, and I've been lucky to be right there on multiple successful hunts. The violence is awe inspiring and eye opening in real life. I didn't know what I didn't know till I witnessed it. scott

I have a jig disposal unit present in all my favorite weedlines, the northern pike. When I ever get to that point though, I'd sharpen the hook and keep fishing it. I would replace a skirt eventually too, but sometimes the straggly ones have good mojo. scott

Thank you, jigs don't know what they're in for! I'm sure I'll see a yellow bump board with a fat, dark green 20"+er soon enough. scott

That would be by far my best WP catch this year! WP's and buzzbaits are lures I want to catch more fish on, but I just lose confidence on my lake. I'm keeping one tied on though, trying to find the right time/place. I hope they work for you like they do for me. Your beautiful bog water looks like a perfect place to try them out. They catch fish for me day or night, fast or slow, high in the water column or bouncing along the bottom. Really really versatile. Don't be afraid to throw them in the thickest junk, that head can get through all plant material. 5/16oz is my current favorite light weight head. Best for me mid to higher in the water column and dropping into any holes. scott

I think I'm with you, though it's close. Real close. scott

You're spinning gear correct? I throw this on a MH baitcaster with braid to leader absolutely no problem, I would think a medium would work just fine too. This is all I use right now. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Dirty_Jigs_Finesse_Swim_Jig/descpage-DJFISWJ.html I have used these before and liked them too. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Santone_Lures_Rayburn_Finesse_Swim_Jig/descpage-SNRYFSJ.html Big fan of alabama bream, crappie, hematoma, and perch as colors, but I'm sure they all work. If you're placing an order, these trailers work so well and last forever. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?start=0&count=30&searchtext=d+walker https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Little_EZ_375_Swimbaits_9pk/descpage-LITEZ.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_EZ_Swimmer_425_Swimbaits_7pk/descpage-GTEZ.html hammonds herring might be my favorite trailer color for either bream or crappie skirts scott

I think a finesse swim jig with a paddle tail should be your new addition. It can handle your cover and should be effective swam straight or popped through the weeds/on the bottom. scott

Sounds completely reasonable scott

Can I borrow $849? scott Preorder on ALF available according to my emails

Yes and no. Wraps not jumping themselves is key. Tightness does help that, but correct lay is far more important, and it’s not just at the beginning of the knot. Those two or three quick little pops before I really cinch it down helps tighten the wraps before it bites into the leader material. Not sure if you’re familiar with a timber hitch for rope, but there’s some similarities in how they both constrict against a cylindrical object. If the polish gives you confidence, you should definitely do it. Too long/stiff of a knot the more it catches line/guides while spooling off on the cast, so probably a light touch is best. scott

Do your wraps. I’m usually 16-20. I like 2 half hitches next. Then set the knot! I like a couple quick pops on it, then I torque down and really pull. You’ll see the knot change color as it bites. Next, trim the floro as close as possible, this is the number one source of a knot unraveling over time. Nail clippers are my favorite. Then I do 2-3 more half hitches and a 4 turn rizzuto to finish. Burn or not burn hasn’t affected me yet and I never put nail Polish on it. I think you’ll see there’s really nothing to it as you gain confidence tying them. Best of luck on the swimbait hunt! scott

I set myself up to be uphill, downhill, or parallel. Wind direction plays an important part in where I choose to fish, but it doesn't tell me how my bait will move when I'm there. Wind doesn't really move the fish my bass eat, that's a step or two down the food chain ladder. Current is a different story, and I would lean to always working downstream. scott

My experience on a northern, clear water, natural lake with both milfoil and hydrilla says that DEC officer has incomplete facts or is just wrong, but this also applies to me. scott

I'm all over the place with big worms and weights under 5/16oz, from a PA 6'11M+, PA 7'6XH, and Dobyns 755. When working downhill, I tend to like the shorter, lighter rod to make sure I don't work it too fast. Uphill, the longer rods seem to be easier to control. The 755 is my do all, but the PA's are making inroads. When I go up to 1/2oz, the M+ can't give me the feedback I like loaded up that much. scott