PTasker15

I noticed that for 10lb, but didn't know if the heavier lines ran thicker. I think I'll try some Yo-Zuri Topknot, but I'll email and see if they can offer a list.

Not listed anywhere. Looking to see if its anything like the super thin FC Sniper.

fishing deeper water in general. Never had success to begin with in over 15 feet (though my time is limited in those areas). Plus wondering how to work finesse in these 20-30' areas without snatching up a bass by it's colon by the time I notice it.

Was given a good amount of money from Lew's warranty. I already have 2 Medium-Heavy setups. Instead of buying another, I figured I would invest in a heavier setup. I am not well versed in heavier stuff as I've always been a "as light as I can get away with" sort of fella. But, Texas can be nasty and now that I find myself lakeside more and more often, I am placed around heavy vegetation, flooded timber, and heavy rip rap. Just wanting to see what y'all use and suggest. I plan to use probably 20lb Fluorocarbon. The techniques I'm hoping to cover are: Texas Rigs (3/16oz-3/8oz, pitching only) Carolina Rigs (1/2oz-1oz) Swim Jigs (maybe, if i get into them) (just good ol 1/2 oz) Pitching Style Jigs (3/8oz pitching, 1/2 to 3/4oz casting and pitching) Football Style JIgs (1/2-3/4oz) Giant Spinnerbaits (5/8-3/4oz) Maybe toss in a 1oz Alabama Rig, or decent sized swimbait, under 1 1/2 oz. The rods I'm wanting to get are the Lew's Mach 2, Lew's TP1X, or Lew's KVD. I've picked out a few models that are between 7'2-7'4 Heavy Rods, either Fast or Extra Fast, and are, more or less, rated in line and lure for what I want to accomplish. Overall this long post is just me wondering what to look for with what I want to do. Sorry to bother you fine folk with my ramblings.

I have been told I should be throwing 1/2-3/4oz jigs and spinnerbaits and 3/4-1oz carolina? Why might be a reason to use heavy over light? I've always been a "as light as I can get away with" guy so wondering what.

How does one fish shallow in winter?

What ned head sizes are your favorites? I thin 1/10 would cross the fine line of long casting and slow falling, but ive heard both ways What do you use for deep jerks? I don't throw them enough nor can I afford so to have a jerkbait rig, but I have a medium/moderate cranking rod with 12lb fluoro and of course my medium spinning rod with 10lb braid and variable leaders.

DO you adjust leader length to where they are suspending or just let it shoot past them? I don't have good electronics do hard to find exactly where they suspend. How small?What size jig head?

Hey there. Y'all have always been a good help to me so I'm here to pester y'all some more and get some ideas. I'll be fishing Toledo Bend and Bob Sandlin Reservoir (both of which are in Texas) in Early December and Late January respectively. I'll probably pick up some large spinnerbaits, football jigs, and carolina rigs but I know sometimes it can be hard and they may want something slower and smaller. I have a good finesse spinning rod that I would like to try small shakey heads, drop shots, ned rigs, and other finesse techniques on, as well as find a way to snag suspended bass. My problem is, these lakes are deeper than any lake I've ever fished. Bob Sandlin goes as deep as 60 feet, and I've heard Toldeo goes up to 100. My local lakes usually go as deep as 30 feet, so nothing like those. I do not understand winter bass much, But I've been told they will suspend in deeper water or be by the bottom in somewhat shallower water. How do I fish such light presentations effectively so deep? Where should I focus my efforts? Also any winter advice in general would help because I have no clue what I'm doing once that mercury starts to stay low lol.

I'll try it someday. I would happily buy it, but to the high disapproval of everyone around me lol. "Dude you've switched that line out three times this month stop" is what I've heard. But I will remember that. So far, the 10lb Sufix works great. As it turns out, line works best when it is ran through all the guides. Forgot that the first time.

I had bought 15lb power pro which is equivalent to 4lb mono, and it casted the same distance as the 8lb mono I was using. The bought sufix 832 in 10lb which then again, casted the same distance? I'm looking at Berkely x9 which seems significantly thinner than both in 10lb test. Might it help me get some more casting distance?

Couldn't find any 10 in person so just stuck it with 15. Casting distance is the same as 8lb, but appreciate the sensitivity and visibility. Will switch to 10lb when I can afford to buy some decent stuff, and If i decide to use it.

what should I look for then?

My only issue with 10lb is that It is hard to find, also I've heard stories about it cutting through fingers stupidly easy. Although I can fit 180 yards. Would probably buy a 150yd spool and back about 15 yards of 6lb and put the rest on so I can get a full 150yds, unless someone suggests I only put 75yds on. Just worried with it being light line that I could get pushed down to backing since catfish take a keen interest on bass lures here. Again most of my lures will be around 1/16-3/16oz, so If I would guess from this thread, 10lb would probably help me here.

(Day of writing this) Oct. 02 2023 Will update this as I use this specific combination more. Just bought the reel but arrived without a bearing retention clip for the spool tension bearing, so had fun taking one out of a black max and shoving it in there. Sep. 09 2023 I purchased the Cranking rod this day. Got it on sale, and was looking for something to chuck Squarebills, Lipless, and the odd Chatter or Jerk on, so figured I wouldn't be taking too much of a risk for the price. I felt nice in the hand, but didn't test it until later Sep. 16 Caught my first decent fish on it that day, running a silent square bill around rocks at the time I was using 10lb Stren Monofilament. I was also using a Lew's Tournament MP until my Hack Attack reel came in. Paused it after bumping some rock and felt the take. Good 16 1/2in, 3.13lbs. The rod loaded up excellently and she was stuck with all 6 points. Did not budge during her jumps. Caught a ~2lber right after, still handled well. Caught a smaller white bass in a 12ft flat on a blade bait. Didn't actually know I hooked him, had thought I got vegetation on my lure. Sep. 22-23 Used the same setup for a tournament, but replaced mono with 12lb Seaguar BasiX. (Will not be using anything else than this from now on for cranking lol) Fluoro works really well with this rod as it gives you amazing sensitivity for a cranking rod. It is nice to feel every little bump and movement of the bait to let me know about snags, fish, structure, and whether my lure is functioning properly or not. First day practice, this setup was responsible for putting some good fish in the boat. Biggest fish at 3.33 and 16 1/2, was caught rolling a 1/2oz lipless crankbait near the bottom in a 20 foot deep flat. Hooked into her about 50 feet from the boat and again, around 20 feet down. Was a fight getting her up, but again, the rod handled it very well. During this nearly minute and a half fight, the fish was not able to jump once. I was able to keep her perfectly pinned with this rod. Also caught a dink by the rocks. I will say, Sometimes when a smaller fish runs at you, Its hard to tell if you have them on. Have had trouble noticing smaller fish being on as mentioned in Sep. 16 Oct. 1 Tested the Hack Attack HD LFS for the first time since I bought it. Feels great, no fish on it yet.

what do you use the 12# leaders for? I'll have to use mono for 8 and 10 until I can afford fluoro leaders, but I just so happen to have some 12# fluoro laying around since I use it to crank.

Deciding between 10, 15, and 20 to use with a fluorocarbon leader. Leader will range between 6 to 10lb depending on cover. I do live in east texas, so we have huge bass, although I do not use finesse around heavy cover. Mostly open water or light cover. I understand 10 will give some really good distance, although just worried about breakage. 15 seems good middle of the road. 20 seems like I would be missing out on a lot of casting and could possibly be too much. Just wanting to see what people here use and why. 7' Medium (light) spinning rod, Ned rigs (thinking about using 1/10oz), drop shots, small shakey heads, finesse and small sized swimbaits, wacky rigs, as well as a weightless texas rig here and there.

That's what I was thinking about. I just want to know If it will even handle 50lb braid. I've never snapped a rod and am not looking forward to doing so.

That was one of my considerations. I'll just wait to see what goes on sale around labor day.

Looking for a cheap-ish rod for fishing around heavy grass and vegetation with heavy braid (I'm thinking 50 or 65 will easily accomplish this purpose?) while I'm doing high school tournaments. I found the DC 734C and have been told it's a good budget option for these techniques and line, but the Dobyn's site doesn't list "Swim Jigs" or "Frogs" as a viable application unlike they do with other Heavy rods. Also, the rod is only rated 10-20lb test/1/4-1oz lures, which is the same as other medium heavies. So I'm just wondering if anyone just so happens to use this rod for heavy applications or if it sounds like it could even pull it off, as I have never fished frogs/swim jigs with heavy line before. If anyone has recommendations for frog rods under $70, that would help alot. Thanks!

recently went off sale, along with all other KVD items. I think I'll wait until holiday sales as they should go on again.

Thanks to everyone for the comments and suggestions. I'll get the Lew's KVD and also as NorthernBasser did, probably yoink some winn grips off of my old reels. I will also take a look at the Fuego/Tatula CT and the XT/MGL when I invest into topwater reels, as I know all four are highly rated reels as well. Will probably get something like a 7-7'6 Medium Mod-Fast when I get a topwater, I hear the Daiwa Tatula CT rods and Lew's TP1X rods are very nice. Will probably pair it with a 7 or 8 gear of the above reels.

How might the Fuego compare to the Tatula CT? Anything that would make it truly better to get for the extra 30? I hear it does. DBS, 9+1, Aluminum Spool, Aluminum Frame. Just looking at other options I may have before going, what is for me, "all in".

By cranking, I mean squarebills and lipless. I don't deep crank or use cranks during colder months. So I'm looking for a reel that is around 6-7.

Looking to pair a new reel with my Lew's KVD 7 foot Medium/Moderate. For now I plan to use it for cranking and topwater until I get a dedicated topwater setup. My budget is $90-$150. Looked around but have never owned a "nicer" reel so hoping to get some recommendations of certain reels or what to look for. Sorry, I know this gets asked alot.