RDB

I don’t post personal pics of anything online but asking for likes might be a little less cringy if the motivations for doing so were better understood. My understanding from multiple friends is that many will start a channel/blog/etc. just to write off their purchases, etc. without having to show a profit for the first few years. I even had a co-worker who created a junky wine tasting blog, just so he could write off his wine purchases and a trip to Napa every year. Again, I don’t know all the specifics or limitations but I assume there is some validity to it as I know a number of folks that do it.

Attach a swivel clip, so when the anchor spins, the clothes line doesn’t. You can attach it to the clothes line or the anchor line…I attach to the anchor line.

Retractable clothes line…replace the plastic cord with paracord & mount it on your crate, so it rotates depending on how you have the anchor deployed on your trolley.

It could be multiple things and despite what you might hear from others, casting consistency and accuracy is not only a rod issue. The reel settings can absolutely have an impact on accuracy, consistency, and release points. If you are missing from side to side, I would bet there are also some issues with your technique. With a proper roll cast, you shouldn’t have a lot of side to side miss issues with a properly set up rod and reel.

Jig

Outside of the folks who say powerful hooksets are for theater, I think most are saying something similar. If sending a fish/jig flying is a measure of setting power, the strength of a Hackney set is as good as any….and when he misses, chances are the lure is going airborne unless he is deeper. Chances are there isn’t that much difference between most pro’s. Considering rod choice, line choice, setting style, body style, etc., they are all likely fairly close. Hackney is probably going to look more controlled than Cobb because he has turds bigger than Cobb. Thrift looks violent because he often sets jigs vertically and it looks like he is doing some sort of backward yoga pose.

If that is how you define “cross their eyes”, I agree completely. When I use the term, I’m just referring to a powerful hook set in a controlled, no slack manner. IMO, the thing that sets Hackney apart is his patience with jigs. He usually doesn’t swing unless he is confident they have it good and is willing to risk them dropping it to get them to fully commit…I struggle at times distinguishing the difference in commitment. For me, he is the gold standard of jig fishing today.

That would put 99.99% of professional fishermen who use jigs or heavy wire hooks like flippin’ hooks around heavy cover in the noob category. Swing for the fences is relative but you won’t find any who don’t have a strong, pretty violent swing. If you are not sending an occasional jig or dink flying through the air, you may be to nice for bass fishing.

Hackney preaches that the biggest mistake most anglers make is setting with slack line. Often people drop their tip without capturing the slack and either blow the bait out of the fishes mouth or get a poor hook set because they didn’t move the bait far due to the slack. He almost always reels down and feels for pressure. His sets often don’t look as violent because with no slack, he is moving the hook the entire swing. When he misses though, there is usually a flying jig. Edit: Not taking a shot at Cobb because he is a great stick but look at the video I posted. I would bet he had some slack in the line and you can see the effect on his swing. It’s amazing that rod didn’t explode.

And he swings for the fences…he is one of the harder hook setters on tour when using jigs, flippin’ hooks, etc. I’m not going to get into it with you. You have your position and I respect that…it would be nice if you would respect others occasionally as well. Hopefully Glen will get a few pro’s to join. If so, I have $1000 that whoever he chooses has a big hookset when fishing bottom contact, heavy wire hooks. Your example of 100’ rod only sets on an unloaded, slack line rod just doesn’t happen with even average fishermen. Edit: Just to clarify, the hard hook sets the OP is referring to with pro’s is ALMOST ALWAYS with heavy wire, bottom contact lures at closer distances and they almost always do a quick slack reel as they should.

People typically don’t swing for the fences using the rod alone on 100’ casts. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Most of those eye crossing hook sets you see with pro’s are using dragging style baits with 20-30’ of line out. Most don’t jerk a hernia with a chatterbait, spinnerbait, buzzbait, etc.

Makes me think of the 11+ fish Brandon Cobb caught off a bed in the Elites at Fork. He stuck the fish and he was 2 biscuits away from getting pulled overboard. After all these years I still get a rush every time I set and it feels like I hit a wall.

Like @WRB said, the big hook sets are typically when using single, heavy wire hooks. Along with getting a good stick, it also can help gain a degree of control. It helps whether it’s a bass on a line or a dog on a leash. If I’m around any cover that poses a potential problem and can get away with heavier gear, I’m crossing their eyes.

The good with NRX rods: They retain their value well if you don’t pay list…you can get discounts but you have to ask. I have sold a number of NRX rods for ~$50 less than I paid after several years of use but I do take very good care of them and don’t pay list. If you are patient, you can find good deals on used rods that look unused, especially now when the economy sucks and $ are tight. Most people who spend that kind on $ on rods take care of them. IMO, they are the top of the line mass produced (non custom) rods on the market (Conquests are excellent but I prefer NRX). The bad with NRX rods for your stated need: They are not the most versatile rods…there are others that have wider applications. IMO, it’s a trade off because if you stay in the NRX wheelhouse, they are tough to beat. Also know that the upper weight ratings on Loomis rods tend to be on the lower side. They can comfortably handle weights slightly above their listed ratings. My favorite spinning is the 852…number 2 is the 822 DSR but I wouldn’t consider either a super versatile rod. I can’t speak to SC because I have limited experience.

Texas used to have great bass fishing but they were all wiped out by global warming and the pandemic. You are better off looking for bass in another state.

If you want your jerkbait to get wider swings and stop ASAP, you should throw slack. Most people move a jerkbait with the rod, not the reel. The reel is to take up the slack, just like with a walking bait. Even when you just stop reeling, the bait doesn’t stop on a dime due to rod load.

I wouldn’t use braid with a crankbait if you bought for the braid for me. Having the correct setup makes a big difference with any treble hook bait. I don’t know the percentages but I would bet that the vast majority of fish are lost next to the boat. It’s not just about the casting or hook sets. Playing the bass properly also plays a big part and IMO, a good glass/composite rod gives me an advantage. Edit: As I have shared a number of times, I think the Alpha Angler Rebound is one of the best crankbait rods on the market.

I use them a lot and many don’t have flat sides. I stand in the living room and pitch/flip into cups while watching TV all the time and skip and cast from both sides in the yard and driveway anytime I have 15-20 minutes to spare. I also welcome the boys to join in when they feel like they can beat the old man. The next time will be the first time. P.S. Never had line twist issues.

Take a safety pin and add your desired weight, wrap some duct tape around it to dial in the weight you want and use the circle on the bottom of the pin for the line tie.

No problem…I was referring to a traditional A-rig, not your post.

It was a joke relative to throwing a multiple ounce bait on a high speed BFS reel. Maybe I should have included a smiley face ?. I also own multiple Aldebaran’s.

BFS…10:1. You’ll be able to tear a phone book in half in a month.

With high dollar demand and the Yen taking a dump relative to the dollar, there hasn’t been a better time to purchase JDM. You can get higher end JDM reels and not spend a lot more than “budget” USDM reels today. Thank the dollar as the world reserve currency for some pretty sweet deals during these globally difficult times.

I use the A-rigs from Shane’s Baits. You can buy replacement arms separately, so they can be replaced if broken or switched out if you want a different look. Their smallest mini finesse rig is 6” long and weighs 1/4oz. https://shanesbaits.com