Flushdraw

I have several small ponds about 20 minutes away. I generally only have about 1 1/2 hours to actually fish due to kids. Most prime places I'd want to fish are an hour or more, but can't do it. I live only 5 minutes from the Texas City Dike. I also have a free pass. I'm going to fish there one of these days.

Well, somebody had to ask.

I haven't bought one from Aliexpress, but I've gotten two from Temu. The Seasir Mansory baitcast reel. I bought the first one last year and was so impressed I bought another one. The brakes are mediocre, but minus that it's light and good quality. It comes with two spools...a shallow and regular. Only $38 shipped from USA!

Yeah, I think this is it. I remember a clunk as my lure shot through the air. Thank you!

I may start doing the same. I discovered the joy of bladed jigs a few months ago and that's most of what I fish now. I run them pretty fast and bass absolutely hammer them. It puts a lot more stress on the line than my usual Texas rigs. Thanks to A-Jay, I'll be trying out straight flouro this coming weekend.

THANK YOU! Of course, now I'll have to buy another reel. 😉 I use an Alberto knot. The pole I was using doesn't have micro guides, though. I used to use a double uni for connecting line. That was a mistake. That's not a reliable knot. I was actually using 50# braid, but recently switched to 30# on two of my reels. The pond I've been fishing the most has a band of American Pond Grass close to the shore but that's it. I thought 50# was overkill. Being a bank angler, that added few feet of cast to get out deep really helps. I never considered it biting into the flouro. I guess it's possible. I'm using Diawa J Braide Grande, which is a pretty round smooth line. The Seagur leader I use has a lot of stretch. I'd say similar stretch to mono.

Wow. That makes perfect sense. I've been fishing for about four years and still learning the basics it seems.

I think there's some misunderstanding in my original thread. My braid to flouro leader knot didn't break. My line broke right at the connection to the lure. If I was running straight flouro, I would have had the same result. I just ordered some flouro leader in 20lb and am going to start tying a different connection knot. Thinking of the San Diego jam knot. A good idea. I just dragged that rod out into the sun and inspected the guides. I also inspected the rod and the sides of the guides. Everything looks fine.

I always do that. I also tested this knot with a fair bit of strength. I didn't think of that. I guess it's possible. When my line broke, I got one of the worst backlashes I've ever had. I had to remove the spool and was planning on just cutting the line. I was amazed I got it out. This was also my new Grass Puzzle Grass Piece Flex...$21! You ever see a man tear-up while fishing? 😅 I use a leader on braid for two reasons. First, to have a solid break off point if I get snagged. Second, I lock down my drag so I want just a little stretch. It seems to work for me well. My hook to land ratio is great. That said, I've been curious about going straight flouro. That's a very nice offer and very kind of you!

I broke-off during a cast today. This is the second time it's happened. I'd appreciate some help so this doesn't continue. The details: Throwing a 5/8 bladed jig on a MH fast action casting rod. Line is 30lb braid to 15lb Seagur Premier flouro leader (about 3 feet). I tried making a far cast. Line snapped mid air just above the knot on the lure. I think what happened is similar to what happens at the very tip of a whip when you crack it. I don't believe it was a bad knot which was my standard 6 turn uni. I take great care with my knots tying them slowly and checking for strength before cutting the tag end. What do you think happened, and how to prevent this in the future? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

The way it's rigged is weedless unlike a regular tube. I've fished the Fat Ika (similar) through heavy grass and mats. I'm also guessing these skip better.

Honestly, you should buy some soon due to availability. The quality makes Zman look mediocre. They pair perfectly with a 4.5" Spunk Shad. They also released the Grass Piece Flex as well. There's been almost no talk of it, so I'm guessing it's being kept secret. TW has them all in stock right now. I'm going to pick-up a couple tomorrow to try out. Sorry if this post costs you money, but you must do this. 😇

I trim all my jigs about 1/4-1/2" below the hook. Enough to where the skirt doesn't interfere or cover up my trailer. Depending on the jig, sometimes I'll thin-out the skirt as well. I do the same with bladed jigs. For Finesse jigs, another recommendation for Sieberts "Sniper" jig. Also, highly recommend HH Customs for mini jigs and mini bladed jigs.

Fishing has been insanely good down here in the Houston area. My two best days ever were around New Years.

Even being new here and an infrequent poster, Tom was someone I sought out and listened to. I wish I would have had the honor to meet him in person. Rest in peace, Tom.

The only EWG style hook I use is when fishing flukes. For those I use the Gammy hybrid hook. Everything else gets a Gammy Heavy Cover Flippin hook....and I mean everything...even Senkos. Once the hook is set, they never get off. I never snell mine.

I've never heard of this. I just went there and typed in "Yamamoto". 5" green pumpkin senkos for $3.39! Why would you do this to me!? 😁

Why the change to BFS? Catching any large bass? Btw, I was looking for a jerbait rod and found an older post where you recommended the ALX Zolo rod. I just bought it for my birthday. Beautiful rod...haven't had a chance to use it yet. Thanks for the recommendation! Haven't fished too much this year, but been using mostly jigs, flukes, and bouncing soft plastics off the bottom. I just invested in some of Core's hover rig hooks and a couple different soft plastics from Basstrix. Really cool baits!

Yep. I've had this happen

I started throwing jigs just a few weeks ago and I'm absolutely addicted. Finesse jigs, flipping jigs, swim jigs...I've tried them all. I fish moderate to heavy grass. The swim jig has worked very well for me. Instead of just swimming it, I hop it and rip it through weed beds. I had kind of settled on the 6th Sense jigs. I like them, but these look nicer. I'll be placing an order soon.

Why would you do this to me? I just got into jigs and bought a bunch. These look amazing. Which is the very best style for heavy grass?

I'll throw-in another vote for the Rage Menace. I picked up a pack of the 3.5 in GP. Rigged it vertical on a 3/8oz swim jig. I've fished it twice and did well. I already bought some more in black/blue. These come in 3", 3.5", and 4". I also bought some 5" Skinny Dipper's but have yet to try them. They come in a "Little Dipper" size as well. I've heard good things about the Yamamoto Zako and the Berkley Power Bait The Deal. I really need to stop buying plastics!

I'm either throwing a jig or some type of Texas rig both weighted and unweighted.

I've done the same with a 3.8 swimbait. Today I threw a swim jig and a Texas rigged Pit Boss. I fished the heaviest grass I've ever encountered. My options were limited as was my success.

I think colors can be location and bait specific. Some days, color makes all the difference and the next it doesn't seem to matter much. For Senkos, I've tried over a dozen colors. The hands-down winner for me is Emerald/blue flake (junebug) followed by the GP/watermelon laminate, and just GP. For other T-rig plastics... watermelon black flake, watermelon/red flake, GP, junebug, and maybe plum. Shad colors have worked well with flukes and swim baits. Colors that seem to be consistently horrible...White, black, black/blue, and watermelon gold flake.