softwateronly

Luddite here. I like @ChrisD46 plan of attack and do the same. If I get bit on the fall, I also try a moping or hair jig technique mid column and can sometimes keep the bite alive. scott

I have the DC 706cb and find it super useful and ended up selling my Fury 705cb. From a Gantarel Jr to a 3/8oz underspin and all of what you're looking to do. Might want to consider putting it on your list. Sorry, can't help with the glass versions. scott

They're pretty beefy for neds, but the gambler one has treated me well. I also have the Nichols but haven't thrown it yet. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Power_Ned_Weedless_Screw_Lock_Jig_Heads_3pk/descpage-GPN.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nichols_JT_Magnum_Weedless_Ned_Rig_Jig_Head_3pk/descpage-NJTMW.html scott

I don't know for sure, but the big increase in big fish is probably related to FF sonar helping locate off shore bass suspended seemingly not related to structure. These bass have found a way to survive and thrive in a pelagic zone and have faced almost no pressure till now. scott

This was your best catch of '22 for sure! Godspeed, the bass will only be growing while you're recuperating. scott

I agree with everyone as well. The alberto knot has been real easy and strong for me. I think it's worth looking into if you go braid-to-leader on a spinning setup. scott

If you’re set on the PA, the 7’6XH is a rod I was looking at. Ended up saving money and grabbing the expride version, 7’6XH. I would think the PA 7’6 XH is more versatile, the way they get such a light rod to be soft and strong at the same time is really unique. I make a lot of long casts with this bait. It’s quite a bit of hook and plastic to get through when you’re 30yds out there in the weeds. I prefer the longer, heavier rod for this reason. Both of these rods can light pitch. scott the PA 7’4H is the fast moving and big bait rod. Go to TW and open the handle type link. You can zoom in and read it

I struggle with this as well during the summer and have plans as well. I did take a short cut last year, and spent many more hours night fishing. If that's possible for you, I highly recommend. scott

Interesting, I always thought mercury was leeched from the ground and the groundwater was contaminated in runoff. I know pre scrubbers, mercury was more airborne in power plants, but then again there's a whole world out there burning things. scott

Cold and rainy, but the fish didn't care. Yesterday, got a school fired up with the jerkbait. Probably 25ish fish in a few hours, with a stretch of 20 minutes of fish on every cast. So much fun that I didn't care that I couldn't feel my fingers and forgot to eat. Got another limit plus this morning, gantarel jr, R2S TB crank, and the killer nishine darter did the damage. scott

About 2.5 years owning both DC and MGL spools, I think the MGL casts for distance, casts with precision, and I backlash at similar rates with both types of spools. I really have to search my brain to find a reason to recommend the DC over the the MGL. Casting into the wind is probably the only thing it does better. And I'm not even positive about that. I would get the Curado MGL, I have one in an online cart right now myself. Also, you get the curado internals upgrade over the slx for virtually the same price. scott

I'm glad Elon is doing this, but in our rich country "high speed" internet should be a public utility, as available as a reliable power grid. scott

Warnings like this have been on the Great lakes predators for most of my life. It's a shame/disgraceful that companies have been so shortsighted or outright negligent in their contamination policies and actions. Also, if you see this for any body of water, know the prey fish, bream, perch, crappie, etc are the source even if they don't show up on the warning because their biomass doesn't meet the concentration requirements. scott

About ten casts after "my last" cast. scott

You're generally correct, but there is still some relatively inexpensive properties in the midwest fyi. Sub $300k but not getting cheaper, so some stretch, I know I did 14 years ago. And you're definitely fortunate if you can find competent, reliable workers for small jobs. scott

I have a few PA's but not that one, so I don't know for sure. I will say that if I had that rod, I'd definitely throw it on there to find out. I have a 7'7" expride which is a H, mod fast, so it might be similar. If it is, you really have to stick the hookset. I did best with the reel down, and hard fast sweep. I think you'll enjoy it. scott

For me it tanks. Seems like it takes a day or three, but is it the turnover or the abrupt clarity change? Yesterday, I triggered a school with a jerkbait, and went 25ish fish in a span of 2 hours, started slow, one here one there, finding weight on the snaps. Then I started getting line jump and finally they were trying to take my rod and I was on a run of fish on every cast. This was all in a pocket no bigger than 30x30yds on a break near a known spawning flat in 42 degree rain. I hopped a blade, big swimbait, small swimbait, and worked a jig through the same area during the frenzy, couldn't get a bite. I have a few hours today, might try crankbaits as my follow up and hope to repeat it. Open to suggestions.... here's the best one scott

I was fooled because there were 4 real warm days in a row with sun, thought it would have minimized it. scott

Small natural lake, 250 acres. Small feeder creek on N end, small outlet creek on the S end. Creek is low and slow. Three days post ice out, water is crystal clear, 12'+ visibility. The fourth day, clarity drops to 3'. Lots of organic material floating on the surface and obviously suspended as well. There was a 180 degree wind change, but it wasn't really blowing in either direction. Was this a Spring turnover, equalizing the entire body's water temp and therefore kicking up material via convection? scott

As an owner of a seawall and permanent dock; F those kids having fun. https://images.app.goo.gl/oRntswmLuBWav1SR6

Internals are never changed for me. 2 on and 2 off. Spool is kept just slightly loose. I move the external dial between 3-4.5 when conditions change. I find a .1-.3 move on the external dial very useful for line management when dealing with wind or skipping, etc. scott

I'm partial to MGL's with internal and external. Half on internal and somewhere between 3-4.5 on the outside and changing based on wind, weight, aerodynamics, etc. Surprisingly important for me to manage long casts at all times. My thumb might be dumb though. scott

I do think you can, but heavier might be safer. The freestyle doesn't get nearly as much head wag if the line is too heavy. My guess is less than .40mm for best action. scott

I use my frog rod, expride 7'3XH. Bantam 7:1, 50lb power pro to 16lb sunline fc leader. scott