Mastercaster

I use as leader on my walleye set-up (lindy rig), 8lb leader with 10lb nanobraid as main line. For bass fishing, spinning reels get 6-8lb tatsu and baitcasters 12-15Lb Invisx, no leaders.

8 lb Tatsu on spinning reel

Spinning reels - Tatsu (6- 8 lb) Baitcasters - Invizx (12- 15lb)

Oh yeah.........I guess the question was rods. ?

Rods St Croix - 11 Shimano - 4 Falcon - 1 Bps - 1 Reels Pfluger - 7 Diawa - 3 Shimano- 3 BPS - 4

Being right handed, never really understood why one would chose a "right hand" BC reel as you have to switch hands to start reeling. I suppose it is mainly due to availability of left handed BC reels early on. I did not start really using BC reels till late 90s/early 2000 so I had the choice to pick left handed BC reels and it just seemed to be the natural thing to do to keep the rod in my dominate hand for casting and setting the hook. It probably would be nice to be proficient with both hands, especially on those long days on the water.

I grew up in the 80s & 90s wading the Potomac below the old dam at Harpers Ferry spring thru Fall, as always just need to check the water level the day before. After heavy rains the river can get scary but usually in the dead of July & August it is pretty low and wadable. The deeper water is on the MD side but still plenty of areas to wade. Even above the dam (MD side) you can wade out in a lot of places ( Have done that with my son and daughter 12 &14). Another fun trip is to canoe from Brunswick to Point of Rocks.

My T-rig fishing is done with a Avidx 7' MF baitcast rod with 12lb Invisx and I am throwing a brushhog or lizard on 3/16-3/8 bullet weight and usually fishing weed edges and feel this is plenty of power, although I know St Croix ratings seem 1/2 power more then most. Biggest bass has been a 4.6 and was no problem and the Maryland waters I fish not likely to run into much over 6. I do plan to get a MH for fishing more in the weeds/pads.

I think we are talking about the same action "XF" it's the power of the new Victory line that seems to have changed, maybe a combo of both but the MLXF in the Victory line is very different then the Mojo and LTB line of rods (spinning).

Cody28 - If you are set on the Victory line then I would agree MXF is the way to go, but all other St. Croix lines I would get the MLXF. I have only purchased a spinning rod in the Victory line but have 2 Mojo BCs, 2 Mojo spinning, 1 Eyecon spinning, 1 Avidx BC, 1 LTW spinning and 1 LTB spinning. The Victory specs seem to be 1 less in power verses the traditional St Croix ratings.

I bought a Victory 6'-10" MLXF to upgrade my Mojo 6'-10" MLXF that I mainly used for wacky rigs. The Victory was underpowered compared to the Mojo and was just too wimpy . I have since purchased a SC Legend Tournament 6'-10" MLXF and it is a much better suited for wacky rigs and would probably be great for ned rigs (I need to learn to fish these more). Still have the Victory, guess it will become my crappie rod.

My new wacky set up - St. Croix Legend Tournament 6'10'" MLXF with Shimano Stradic STG2500HGFL with 8lb Tatsu. Replaces at St. Croix Victory same specs but felt it's action was too light.

Thanks. Top speed with just me 7 mph (GPS) with fishing buddy 6.5 mph. It will run pretty much all day, fished 7 hours today and really no noticeable fade in power.

My Reservoir Rig - 2005 Lund 1652 - Ray 60 volt

Hit Piney Run from 7:20 - 2:20, beautiful day. Started great with a 18.5 incher but only landed another 14 incher later in the day. Had many hits and a lot of misses, just could not set the hook on the brush hog or lizard today, very frustrating as they are my go to baits at PR and usually have no problem with hook ups. The 18.5 incher was on a wacky throw back after I missed the hook set with the brush hog. Still better then working..............

USAF

Boat trips to the lake - 5-7 hours Bank fishing local pond & small lake - 1.5-3 hours Annual trip to northern Minnesota, if we are awake we are on the water or at the bar................

Hit Triadelphia on Monday, fished from 10:00-4:00. Caught about 14 bass, mostly in the 10-13 inch range with 2 over 15 and best 16.5 inches, 4 pike and a crappie. Missed a lot of pike (short strikes) and a good number of bass. I put in at he Triadelphia Rd ramp (oppose end from Dam) and really like all the brush/trees in the middle of the lake (10-14ft of water), very fishy looking. I usually fish Piney Run (and catch better quality fish) but think it is just a matter of time once I learn this lake better and $22 vs $7.75 fee it is cheaper. May head back tomorrow.

Monday trip back to Piney, my buddy was kicking I disagree from the back of the boat.

Great day on the water today, boated 12 and lost a couple good ones at the boat.

Well it's not ideal when they post wind warnings on your first day out on the boat for the season. Was on the water by 7:35 ish and fished till 11:30, 3 dinks (nothing over 12.5 inches) and missed 3. Once I saw white caps on the main lake it was time to head home. Still beats working...........Buddy and I will try again on Monday.

Has anyone been out to Piney Run lately? Have you seen any bass on beds yet? I am eyeing the calendar as I have April 30 PTO day set up for the first outing on the boat this year. Walked the bank at Greenbriar a couple times the last two weeks but have not seen much in the way of spawning activity. I would assume the bass activity should be picking up in the next couple weeks.

Hit Piney Run with my dad on Monday before the monsoon hit, boated 5 fish 17.5", 16", 15", 14" and a 10". Not bad for the first trip of the season

Minnow, My father and I used to canoe that stretch a lot in the late 90s and it could take anywhere from 3-6 hours depending on how many spots we anchored on and fished. Minnow,