C.Tucks

Your last point of handling rods is tricky for me. I live in trout country. Bass are considered invasive here and many people akin them to the spawn of Satan. There is really only one shop within a few hours of me that carries any amount of bass type rods. I’m basically limited to online shopping or maybe testing out a buddy’s if I’m real lucky.

Wow, thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. Higher end for me still isn’t even mid range when it comes to price point. More like higher end of the budget segment haha. That said, my wife told me she ordered me the new 13 Oath rod yesterday. 7’6” ML/XF. It will fill a hole in my arsenal and on paper it seems like a great rod for the price. I’m still down one though so I’ll continue to debate and battle the monkey for my next choice.

I’m in the market for a new spinning rod (happy birthday to me) and am wondering how much difference I will notice as price increases. All the rods I own can probably be classified as entry level. I have a variety of the 13 fishing line up which I honestly quite like so I’m not sure I can justify the extra cost unless it’s going to make a noticeable difference in terms of feel, action and sensitivity. Cut to the chase, I’m debating between sticking with what I have - entry level ( 13 Oath, Daiwa Tatula XT) stepping up into the mid range ( Megabass Levante, Tatula elite) Thoughts?

Feathered trebles do not work. At all. Especially on walking topwater baits. 🤫

Carry on, nothing to see here, originally posted before zooming in

The Daiwa/Yamamoto Neko Fat is hands down my favourite

As mentioned above by OE I think you’re probably seeing the males setting up. With no eggs yet in the beds, they’re probably not concerned with wasting energy by chasing off critters like your lizard

I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts recently where Elites are guests and they all say that at least 50% of the ‘top baits’ aren’t actually what they caught them on

Walking baits for me most of the time, typically on the deep side of weed lines or transitions. Berkley drift walker and strike king sexy dawg jr are my two favourites. A feathered treble in the back hook can be a worthwhile modification. I haven’t thrown them until summer in the past but seems a lot of you guys are having success in the spring so I might throw them earlier this year.

Daiwa Legalis is around the $100 mark I have a couple of them in the 2500XH. Light weight and smooth drag. The XH is 6.2:1 vs 5.2:1 on the regular LT model

Most likely ned small swimbait/paddletail hair jig blade bait jerkbait

I love my smith glasses. Their polarized chromapop lenses are fantastic. Green mirror is what I go with. I find the mirror finish reduces glare quite a bit for what it’s worth

Absolutely! There’s also some rain in the forecast which will speed things up even more

I have three revros reels. They are fantastic reels for the money. Solid, balanced feel and smooth drag

It’s looking like March 8 or 9 for me We’re just got through our cold snap and will be into above freezing temps overnight this week

I’d love to participate but British Columbia has no official record keeping program. I could use Washington state as one of my favourite lakes crosses the border but I fear the exchange rate will kill my chances 😆

So basically, the +2 can be an effective tool under certain conditions but the +1 is a more versatile bait. Do you feel the +2 has caught you fish that the +1 wouldn’t have?

That is some serious jerk bait eye candy 🤤 If you had only one to fish I assume it’d be a perch pattern?

Awesome, thanks!

I have one in my arsenal but it always gets pushed aside for other options. I might have to give it some more reps this year Have you found them to work at times when a 110 or +1 isn’t doing the trick? Or do you think the fish that you’re catching would come the extra few feet for a shallower running bait?

Thanks for this …..and down the rabbit hole I go

Makes sense. Thank you for the replies. Do you have any experience with how much suspendots and lead wire affect the action of the bait? I’ve always just run them as is out of the box. 😆

To my understanding those are all 8-10 ft runners? I’m thinking more 12–16 range.

Wondering what yours thoughts and recommendations are for deep diving jerkbaits (12ft+) like the Vision 110 +2. The lakes I fish for smallies have lots of transition zones and flats in the 15-20ft range. I feel that a jerk bait that can get down deeper and suspend closer to the bottom will produce more bites in these areas than 8-10 ft divers. I’m just not sure I can justify spending $35cdn for a 110+2. Has anyone had more success with one vs a +1 depth bait? Are there cheaper alternatives? Is this the bait monkey talking?

The back rack idea might be a great easy solution. I think I can build something similar at a fairly low cost. Thanks guys!