David P

Which is why I figured braid would be better. If the hook has trouble penetrating the platic, I figured a no stretch line would help. I'll give the blade runner a try. It will probably work fine on a high tide when I'm mostly working the bait over the grass, but I'm skeptical about a lower tide. David, which paddle tail do you like most? Which Dobyns rod do you throw them on? Braid is a tough call, for me it's very situational. I SWEAR by 65lb braid and a 15-20lb fluoro leader for throwing paddletails in some cases. In others, I use a straight 15lb or 20lb fluorocarbon. If I'm fishing really deep, typically I use braid (20ft+). If i'm fishing shallow, which it sounds like you are (tidal waters like I do sometimes) I opt for 20 fluorocarbon. I go 20 just for the sake of keeping them from burring into the weeds. I personally throw the original basstrix ones in the 6" size. I throw paddle tails on my Dobyns 765 Flipping stick MOST of the time, but occasional will throw it on the 744DX if that's an open rod. The two best rods IMO for paddle tails would be the 735 and 765. I've had very little problems with getting weeds when throwing the blade runner hook, obviously it will get more than rigging it weedless, but you might be pleasantly surprised.

Stand up from your boat, I've been in 8ft and 10ft john boats, with 2, and on some rare occasions 3 people. I've stood up, and with only 2 people, we have both stood up. Just be safe, you'll get used to it. Jigs are better in some cases when casting, and in some cases flipping and pitching. I don't flip and pitch jigs into 50ft of water when fishing deep lakes, but a jig is still my favorite bait for fishing deep lakes.

Congrats man, enjoy it you deserved it!

Have you checked into purchasing a 1-3 year old boat? You can get some crazy deals on boats right now that are fairly new. Guys are unable to make their payments, or guys with pro staff deals selling their fully tricked out 1-2 year old boats. I'd definitely give that some consideration. Just an extra thought. If you're going to finance a boat, get most of the features you can, you don't wanna go regretting getting too little (or at least that's how I see it). Side note, lot of guys purchase a dual console, then regret it terrible, some come out so it's not a big problem aside from a wasted $500+, but think about that too. There's way more space on a boat without that second console. I hate mine with a passion and have contemplated taking a saw to it.

To get the full hook out of the back of the bait, and into fishes mouth, doesn't the weight have to go through the bottom of the bait, and sometimes through the top of the bait? Correct me if I'm wrong, as it's been a long time since I've thrown it with a keel weighted hook.

I've lost a TON of fish with all of those keel weighted hooks, it just seems like the weighted part of the hook has more trouble going through the plastic, and it also tears them up easier. I lost quite a few fish, and baits until I stopped using them. The hook below (Bladde runner Swim bait hook) has greatly increased my hook up and landing, and yet is still quite weedless. I don't throw them any other way now. They also keep the baits lasting longer.

Delta - Braid and 20-25lb fluoro All of our lakes, I use 6,10, and 12lb fluorocarbon, occasionally 15. My drags are cranked down too, even on spinning reels with 6lb test, I just loosen them after the fish is hooked. Does he break off literally on the hook set itself? Or sets the hook, then breaks off during the fight?

Delta - Braid and 20-25lb fluoro All of our lakes, I use 6,10, and 12lb fluorocarbon, occasionally 15. My drags are cranked down too, even on spinning reels with 6lb test, I just loosen them after the fish is hooked. Does he break off literally on the hook set itself? Or sets the hook, then breaks off during the fight?

Delta - Braid and 20-25lb fluoro All of our lakes, I use 6,10, and 12lb fluorocarbon, occasionally 15. My drags are cranked down too, even on spinning reels with 6lb test, I just loosen them after the fish is hooked. Does he break off literally on the hook set itself? Or sets the hook, then breaks off during the fight?

I haven't posted a report in a while, but figured I'd post up my new personal best spotted bass. Caught on a California Reservoir Lures jig and Dichoso Baits Twin Tail Grub. She went 6.7lbs

Chris, Lots of us NorCal guys set hard, I'm skinny as all hell too, and set the hook extremely hard. I never had this issue in the first place, but I do not set the hook on SLACK line, I reel down almost all the way before setting the hook. I also loosen my drag the second I hook into a solid fish.

Chris, Lots of us NorCal guys set hard, I'm skinny as all hell too, and set the hook extremely hard. I never had this issue in the first place, but I do not set the hook on SLACK line, I reel down almost all the way before setting the hook. I also loosen my drag the second I hook into a solid fish.

Chris, Lots of us NorCal guys set hard, I'm skinny as all hell too, and set the hook extremely hard. I never had this issue in the first place, but I do not set the hook on SLACK line, I reel down almost all the way before setting the hook. I also loosen my drag the second I hook into a solid fish.

I've never heard of anyone consistently breaking off fish due to hook sets, and I've seen some rain makers... Assuming that some is the problem, maybe a softer actioned rod?? Might help having even a more forgiving rod. OR just learn to not set the hook so hard. If you're losing that many fish, it might be worth it to retrain yourself.

I've never heard of anyone consistently breaking off fish due to hook sets, and I've seen some rain makers... Assuming that some is the problem, maybe a softer actioned rod?? Might help having even a more forgiving rod. OR just learn to not set the hook so hard. If you're losing that many fish, it might be worth it to retrain yourself.

I've never heard of anyone consistently breaking off fish due to hook sets, and I've seen some rain makers... Assuming that some is the problem, maybe a softer actioned rod?? Might help having even a more forgiving rod. OR just learn to not set the hook so hard. If you're losing that many fish, it might be worth it to retrain yourself.

I use my 805 RM for Medium Cranks too, without any problems. I do have a 764 RM that I use for shallow cranks as well, but when I want 2 tied on I use the 805 as the back up.

The 805 RM was specifically designed by Randy McAbee for throwing deep diving crankbaits. I've been throwing the 6xd and Little John Deep Divers on the 805RM for a few months now and absolutely love it. The rod is incredible. That extra power really helps get the hooks into the fish on long casts with the bait down deep!

Get what YOU want and like, not what other guys tell you. If you want to support SPRO or BBZ, by all means go for it. If you want to support Tackle Warehouse, great! People spend tons of money on hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and yet they aren't sponsored. Jerseys are comfortable, light weight, and can keep you protected in the hot days of summer. No reason not to get one if you want to. You can always get one made, it's rather expensive ($100 +/-) but sites like Rayjus, Gemini, and the guy that posted up above all make custom ones in which you can add multiple companies on one jersey. Do what makes you happy.

Get what YOU want and like, not what other guys tell you. If you want to support SPRO or BBZ, by all means go for it. If you want to support Tackle Warehouse, great! People spend tons of money on hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and yet they aren't sponsored. Jerseys are comfortable, light weight, and can keep you protected in the hot days of summer. No reason not to get one if you want to. You can always get one made, it's rather expensive ($100 +/-) but sites like Rayjus, Gemini, and the guy that posted up above all make custom ones in which you can add multiple companies on one jersey. Do what makes you happy.

Get what YOU want and like, not what other guys tell you. If you want to support SPRO or BBZ, by all means go for it. If you want to support Tackle Warehouse, great! People spend tons of money on hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and yet they aren't sponsored. Jerseys are comfortable, light weight, and can keep you protected in the hot days of summer. No reason not to get one if you want to. You can always get one made, it's rather expensive ($100 +/-) but sites like Rayjus, Gemini, and the guy that posted up above all make custom ones in which you can add multiple companies on one jersey. Do what makes you happy.

I use a Dobyns 743 Extreme for 1/4oz and 3/8oz jigs and love the rod to death, extremely light and sensitive. It's a bit over your price range, but IMO well worth it for a jig rod. The Dobyns 733 Champion is in your price range, and it too is a very good rod. I used it for over a year before upgrading to the 743. Can't go wrong either way!

Looks like one of black dog baits newer baits.

I purchased one a year back or so, my tournament partner had one for over a year before I got mine, and it was dead on (still is to this day). Mine was incredibly off, sometimes by 3-4lbs, other times by less. For the sale price, it's a killer deal, if you get an accurate one. I sent mine back to TW and they refunded my money.

Basstrix can get pricey, but they're good baits. I really like the Dichoso Baits Jerk Minnow. It's 5.25" and has a cut in the body enabling it to have more action, plus they're softer than the mass produced fluke style baits that I've used.