Dan N

Trilene knot for mono/ floro palomar for braid uni to uni for braid to leader only knots I use. I only use braid to leader with light lines on spinning gear.

I shipped a rod tube thru the ups store , and was quite shocked on the price! it was no where near 25$. Don’t go there to ship🤣 maybe they overcharged me, she said it was a big extra cuz it was oversized.

Because they are not smart and do not see or think like human beings.

I had a fenwick HMG that had full cork handle that was pretty nice, about 100$

I received a rod (and tube) in this condition. It was obviously done in shipping. I sent an email and a couple pics and had a new rod in a couple days. I would think any reputable dealer would have it insured, and replace for free. Mine was from ALX. excellent customer service.

A lot of great baits mentioned- my favs: Bagley flat balsa B2 Rapala OG tiny 4

Last one of the season. All ice now.

Hardly threw a topwater bait of any kind. don’t recall catching a fish on top.

Check out ALX rods, lots of options,great customer service

Rage bug trench hog

Got some to open yet, many of these are going to my son, and nephew. I’m sure some guys can blow my collection of hundreds away! Hey, never can have too many!

Crankbaits, a lot! I guess I don’t know what that is. some guys have hundreds, some guys a handful. I know I’ve got at least 75 lipless, and at least that many square bills. and many more- just started on my Rapala DT series , and OG series collection, and I’m in the off season. Ice here now, so not much to do but order more!

I fail to see a reason to take a new reel apart. It’s pretty easy to add a drop or 2 of oil with no disassembly. I guess I would not do it, because I’m not that confident to put it all together right. I’d rather pay a professional, if it’s a pricey reel.

Ice here in Wisconsin, where I was just catching a few bass the day before thanksgiving. Started bringing rods into the house for the winter this evening. bummer.

I’ve had some good success on it. A TRD slowly retrieved rite above bottom. worked better then jerkbaits/cranks on some days.

I should also add, I’ve had great luck until the last few days on a flat sided crank ( Rapala OG tiny 4) with no rattles. The channels I fish are 6’ deep tops, and currently loaded with shad.

As a Wisconsin guy, I will say this is the latest I’ve open water fished. Used to be all hunting at this time. I’ve been shore fishing only for the past 2 months. Did great on cranks (squarebill) in October, since it’s getting cold in November, I’ve had mixed results. Few on lipless, few on jerkbaits, but since it’s getting really cold , the Ned rig (zman trd) has been the best.Not my favorite way to fish, but it’s working.Just yesterday however, I had my only luck using a Rapala DT 6, cranking it to bottom quickly, then super slow (annoyingly slow!) along bottom. I tried several other presentations first- this was the only one that worked. was very satisfying to catch a few fish, and figure out something they would hit.

Thanks for the replies. I ended up getting a few on a ned rig very slowly retrieving along bottom. today I got them on a Rapala DT 6 , dragging super slow along bottom. It has a very slow rise. I would literally just stop reeling. Tough bite , glad to get a few.

I guess I should add, I was snagging those shad while casting various cranks

Hey, basically just what you try when that plan isn’t working? I guess I should add, I was snagging those shad while casting various cranks

Cuz the bass are feeding and the fishing is great! This is the second year I’m fishing instead of hunting. The fishing is some of the best I’ve experienced. As good as pre spawn. Find a school of feeding fish, and it can be literally every cast . ( for a bit anyways) ! …And crankbait fishing, which I love!

Rod. I have worked up to buying high quality rods, but am still quite happy with lower end reels. All the feel is in the rod. and I’ve found some pretty inexpensive reels that are nice. To me anyway.

I guess I was thinking more towards casting reels. Spinning Maybe 10 or 12 lb I guess I’ve used. As I stated , I never get close to my backing before putting on new line so I guess I’ve never had any kind of issue.I generally just use whatever I have extra on hand.

For backing I’d go big , at least 14. It fills up the spool quicker. I’ve never got close enough to my backing to worry about it. I prefer a pretty much full spool.

I own a few carbonlite 2.0 series rods, like them a lot , 1 issue being 2 of the 3 I own are starting to turn yellow. For that reason, I would probably not buy another. I own 1 fenwick HMG spinning rod I like a lot, good quality , use it frequently for finess stuff.