Smirak

Perfect. Just trying to help out!!

Interesting thread. 1) Marling Baits has been doing some antique lure reviews and then recreating them. Check them out on YouTube… 2) I have my father-in-laws tackle box sitting in my garage. He has been dead 21 yrs now. I know I’ve cracked it open a few times. There’s a variety package of unopened craws that look absolutely fire, but I refuse to open them…

Send me a pic. I’m not a master woodworker, but I do ok…

Every time I glance at this topic, my mind keeps reading that you’re looking for a bikini top.

Lastly, post your location. I guarantee you there are a few members that are local to you. Most of us would gladly meet up with you to help out as well… I know I would/will if you are in the general N Alabama area.

I had problems with cottonwood here in N Alabama about 2 weeks ago. Even my spinning gear was getting fouled up. Went fishing on Monday and found more cottonwood buried in the spool!

A second spool is much cheaper than a second combo. Just sayin…

It was flouro. She would’ve been 2-3lbs. Her belly had been gnawed at (as well as her eyes). As for the length, man I can’t tell you. Maybe spooled out and your connection knot to the spool wasn’t strong enough?

Played around with some more Neko and bladed jig fishing today at Guntersville. Was re-rigging something and noticed a large-ish light spot about 4’ deep. Tossed the bladed jig down there to just sit while I was re-rigging. Went to reel in my bladed jig and it was a rod bending reeling. Got the bladed jig above the water level and realized I had hooked another line. Ok. No biggie. Had already found a brand new choppo and 10XD. So I started pulling in the line. Got the free end in and finally started making progress on the other end…wound up pulling about 100’ of line. Attached to the other end was a gut hooked half eaten LMB. That’s the light spot I saw about 4’ deep. Would’ve taken a pic, but it stunk so bad. I kept the swimbait jig head that gut hooked him though….

Mine do not sink like a rock either. They sink, but it’s a medium fast sink.

Better is subjective I guess. To me, I like the BKK hooks better. They are the stickiest hooks I’ve ever felt. I’ve not used all of their hooks yet, but have caught fish on the permalock and permalock weighted.

It’s real nice. I didn’t buy the one linked. I bought the “starter” system, which is the main box and then 28 empty boxes inside (20 M, 8 S). I put my stuff in there. However, I’m phasing that out for the BKK hooks. They got me with the OCD… For bank fishing, you could just grab a few sizes of the “internal boxes” that you plan to use that day vs carrying the whole lot…

Buy one of each. Because, once the “bite” bites you, those will be some of your least expensive glide baits… Also, @MontclairDave - let me know how the rod works for you. I’m looking at getting rid of my 7’10 St Croix Mojo Bass in favor of that rod - really for length alone….

I haven’t used a swing head before. Whats your technique with those? whats the advantage of a swing head?

Just go with this… https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/BKK_OCD_Tackle_Storage_System_Fully_Loaded/descpage-BKKOCDFL.html

I switched from the Owner twist locks to the BKK permalocks. If I want a little weight, I use a weighted permalock (heaviest is 7/64 oz). Best hooks I’ve used by far.

The mangetsu comes with a free hoodie… 😂😂 https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/descpage-TWDMPS.html

Agree 100% A-Jay. Anyway, I asked my coastie buddy what they wore on deck and he said the mustang HIT. So, based on the recommendations of the only 2 coasties I know (I guess 3 being Mrs A-Jay by association), I’m saving my pennies and asking the Fathers Day Man (he’s kinda like the Easter bunny) for one…

Big is anything over 18”, 4+lb. I “regularly” catch 16” 1.5lbers at Guntersville.

Sprayed grass worked for me yesterday. Plum and baby bass were a no-go. This was neko vs Ned, but it was in submerged grasses…

Went to Guntersville today. Wanted to fluke fish around some docks. That didn’t fair well… So, I switched it to a neko rig…with a bladed jig thrown in for good measure. Fished about 4 hrs. Bagged 7 total. 5 on neko and 2 on jh. Longest was 16” and was a shy 1.75 lbs. all the others were smaller. But, all in all a good fight and good day. Caught one poor little fella about 10” long. I told him I was gonna let him go, and he said thank you. Had one nice LM run me into either a dock piling or underwater cover and he came off. When I got my JH back to the reel, the blade was bent at almost a 30 ish (my guess) degree angle. Here’s how I have it rigged. Would welcome feedback or corrections /changes Hook: VMC Neko (it’s got a long-ish shank) Weight: 1/16 oz tungsten nail weight ORing: VMC Crossover size 7 Plastic: Crush City Pigstick and Janitor in Sprayed Grass (tried baby bass and plum as well, but no takers) Things I noticed: I don’t like size 7 rings. They are too large a diameter I think. I lost 3 “setups” ring, weight and plastic (2 I’m not sure why. 1 I know why). I have 6s that I’m going to use next. The “slot/hole” that the look goes through on the crossover rings is great. However, having to pull the eye back through that “slot/hole” is difficult at best. I know this is an old man problem, but I had to get my glasses out just to get the hook eye started! I don’t know that I’m sold on the hooks. I bought them because they have a resin closed eye and I was thinking that might help the eye get through the crossover slot better. I didn’t see any difference in that vs one without. I’m in the process of geeking out on BKK hooks, so I’m probably going to look at those as well. That said, next on my list is sniper finesse. I can get those locally, and will try those next.

Did he live on Copperhead Road?

I am eyeing them as well. I have started to “collect” the BKK hooks. I bought into the system. Didn’t buy the full loaded system, but just the empty box and am filling as I like. My next purchase is the trebles.

@A-Jay How does this factor into safe boating week? What would be the preparations for this? https://www.waff.com/2025/05/24/boater-hospitalized-after-being-struck-by-lightning-lake-guntersville/

You stated that it is used. Are you 100% certain it’s an actual DC reel?