EchoHorizon23

Very nice

That’s a really fair and balanced take. I’ve been eyeing this lure too, but the price point and the fragility are what keep me hesitating. Good to hear it’s fun to fish with, though — sometimes that’s half the reason to tie something on. Might give it a shot if I catch one on sale 🎣

If you're mostly bank fishing around structure, I'd lean toward AbrazX — it’s built for abrasion resistance and holds up well around rocks and cover. InvisX is a bit more supple and casts nicely, but might not take the same beating. Tatsu is amazing, but yeah, the price tag's up there. Given your budget and use case, AbrazX sounds like the best balance of durability and performance. I’d spool it up and see how it feels — you can always upgrade later if needed.

Welcome to the club, buddy

I’d love to share a few secret spots… but then they wouldn’t be secret anymore, right? 😄 In all seriousness, I usually use an app to find lesser-known fishing holes around the area — helps narrow things down without just hitting the same old lakes every weekend. A few gems out there if you know where to look!

Love this thread — way more fun than spreadsheets 😎 PY – Weightless wacky rig, watermelon red Senko. CY – Underspin with a 3.8" paddle tail (gotta love that flash). PB – 7.4 lbs on a black buzzbait at sunrise. Fish exploded like it owed me money. Let’s keep 'em coming! Curious what other folks are sticking 'em on lately.

I keep a GoPro running most days just for kicks — no YouTube dreams here, I just like reliving a good catch or figuring out what I did wrong when I blanked 😅 But yeah, seeing someone talking to a camera while fishing is pretty normal now. I’ve even had a guy hook into a fish mid-sentence and just keep narrating like it was a live show. Gotta respect the commitment!

I’m definitely up for it! Any ideas on where or when? Weather’s been looking pretty decent lately.

I like watching TacticalBassin for detailed tips and underwater footage — those guys really break things down well. Also been enjoying Jon B. lately for the mix of fishing and travel. Who do you all recommend for bank fishing content?

Sounds like a blast! That setup with the short, stiff rod and 25# mono makes total sense for keeping control around all that cover. I'm really curious how the double J hooks work out for you — would love to hear the results once you've tested them. Also, that bass from last summer? Absolute unit. Gotta love squarebill season!

Thanks, that actually clears things up! I was leaning toward 15#, but good to know 12# still has that solid diameter. Sounds like a solid choice for inshore stuff — especially if it's the same thickness as 16#. Appreciate the breakdown!

Makes sense — sounds like I should keep an eye out for beat-up bass and those post-spawn cruisers near bluegill beds when they show up. Up north, it’s tricky with the temps all over the place. I guess it’s less about exact dates and more about reading what the fish are telling you.

Interesting to hear both sides of the dice bait experience. I’ve been on the fence about trying them myself — love the idea, but the price tag stings. Might try the DIY route first and see how they stack up before investing in the real deal.

That's a smart workaround, especially given the circumstances. Glad to hear it's working so well so far — curious to see if it holds up with bigger fish later in the season.

Really interesting to hear so many of you still committed to mono or even coming back to it. I’ve been mostly braid-to-fluoro the past few years, but between abrasion issues and how much line I go through surfcasting, I'm seriously reconsidering my setup. Berkeley Big Game keeps coming up — is there a particular lb test you find most versatile? I’m usually targeting reds and drum, but occasionally hook into bigger stuff. Also, any tips on managing memory in mono when you're doing a lot of casting from shore? Always thought of mono as more “old school,” but y’all are making me think I’ve overlooked a solid option.