Unk

Sad to say I can relate to this too well

Sorry. Meant to suggest using a split ring instead of a loop knot. Guess I need to be more clear sometimes. Just thought the split ring might solve the problem with any gap in the hook eye and not be too expensive.

Where I've fished, the weather conditions weren't as much of a factor as where I was throwing the bait. As was mentioned in an earlier post, if it wasn't bumping rocks, timber, stumps, etc. or just tipping the underwater grass and gurgling through openings in weed, then I didn't have much luck with a spinnerbait . For off shore-deeper structure , I have more confidence in other baits. Just my experience on the lakes I've fished .

Since you want a loop knot , the problem might be solved by doing it the way AJ mentioned when talking about swinghead jigs . He attaches a split ring . Don't know where he gets his split rings or how much they cost though .

Now that is what I need ! Water temps have been on the low side and this sounds like just what the Dr. ordered

Many thanks to everyone for the advice. Back in the day , I didn't even have a bow mount unit . Always something to learn .

I have installed a Lowrance Hook Reveal on the bow . My question is does anyone put their bow units in " sonar off " mode when you pull up the trolling motor to run to a different spot ? I watched an online video which suggested that running the sonar while the transducer was in the air would mess with the algorithms ( ?? ) used by the unit . I searched the archives here an could not find an answer . Thanks .

As mentioned above , I guess the main question is whether you have power at the dock . I've got to assume there is dock power or you wouldn't be asking the question. If so, the onboard charger would be ideal as long as it can monitor charge rate so as to avoid cooking your batteries. Another simple solution is to run cables from + and - terminals and attach them (with covers) to the outer edge of your deck ?? I know of "energy packs" used to jump start vehicles but they wouldn't charge the battery . Even if they could , they would be very bad for your battery.

Sounds great but , with my old hips and knees , I seriously doubt I could get into a kayak . For sure if I did get into one , I'd never get out again

Thanks for the info . Nice to see someone likes Watts Bar over Chick .

Thanks . I appreciate the info about your Victory . Point taken about the car door

Good to know this . Sensitivity is a primary criteria for me but I am concerned that a rod with great sensitivity would be too brittle for a clumsy person like me . Finding a rod is turning out to be a heck of a lot harder than deciding on a reel .

Thanks FishTank . I actually got to put hands on a Victory 7'1" MH F yesterday . Really looked like a sweet clean rod and felt good in hand but I have never been able to figure out how a rod will function in the real world by inspecting it in a store . Really appreciate the suggestion . I was not set on the Avid - it was one of about 6 that I was researching . I looked at the specs on the saltwater Avid and lure size range seemed totally different than on the freshwater Avid listed at TW .

Thank you . Will do some checking on Ark . I've narrowed the reel choice down but the decision on the rod is going to be even harder . I appreciate the help . I had just about ruled out the DC reel . I'm now looking into rods and it is turning out to be an even harder job then the reels .

Thought I might forward some info . I emailed St. Croix . They replied (We here at St. Croix Rod really appreciate you allowing us to partner on your fishing adventures! The Avid freshwater casting rods have been retired and replaced with the Victory series.)

Thanks Bulldog . I've just started to do my research on rods . I hope to get more advice for folks here. I just didn't want to consider a series that was being discontinued in case the rare problem came up and I had trouble with replacement with replacement Thanks RW . I will check this out today . Thanks GM . Good to know . I hope there are in fact new ones .

I got a great deal of good advice recently about choosing a casting reel . Thank you again . In some of the post in that group , there were suggestions about rods ( which is the part of the equation I'm researching now ) . One of the rods suggested by FishTank was the St. Croix Avid . When I go to the St. Croix website , they do not list the Avid casting rod - only the Avid Trek which is a 3 piece travel rod . Also, on TW site , they list an Avid but say it won't be in stock until later in Feb. Have the Avid 1 piece casting rods been discontinued . There were several other rod suggestions for me to research but it seems I may have to mark the Avid off the list ? Thanks .

Thanks again Lead Head . I have read several comments here about a small hairy primate that causes a world of trouble for members Thanks Fish Tank . I'm going to make a run tomorrow to see if I put hands on some rods . May take awhile but probably will be time well spent . I believe a nearby Cabela's has a St. Croix MoJo Bass . Not sure about the Avid .

Thanks WC . From a few comments that have been made earlier , I'd just about ruled out the SLX DC reel and what you say reinforces that . From what you say and from some other replies , I'm getting the impression that the Daiwa SV may be a bit easier but the Curado may give longer cast . My guess is that either reel's strong points will really be dependent on how much time I'm willing to put into it ?

Thanks again RT . I just misread the info or more likely just didn't understand .

Thank you . Somehow I missed this but will check them out for sure .

Thanks again . I could not agree more !

Thanks Captain . Other replies have suggested that the new reels are much better than the Ambassadeurs but , like you say , I thought they were pretty good . It'll be really something if the new ones are all that much better . Can I ask what the initials "DC" in your post stand for ?

Thank you Catt . I'm afraid that my thumb has been attached to it's owner for too long and forgotten most of what little it ever knew . Yep , Arthur has always been bad company :)

Thanks Lead Head . I understand the "do all " rig is sort of a pipe dream but this helps me at least get close . I had thought of going with a 7.x retrieve but only out of ignorance and the fact that it was the middle ground choice . What you say about a 6.x speed makes sense .