WRB-2.0

The water temps must be within 5 degrees when releasing from the storage bags into the pond water. My guess the issue is thermal shock. You may need to add a aeration fountain to the pond, keep an eye on the dissolved oxygen levels! 30 lbs of new DO consumers (LMB) need to breath. Tom

AAs noted no standards exist regarding a fresh water bass rod. We can agree that a 3 power rod is Medium, 4 power is Medium Heavy, 5 power is Heavy and 6 power is X Heavy....maybe depending on the rod maker, length and action. Through in flipping and swimbait rods and all that changes. IMO most bass anglers use rods and line too strong to catch bass. Heavy line and powerful rods to lift the bass out of heavy cover isn’t a common practice although today’s bass anglers tend to believe it’s needed. Tom

The Winn rod tape is thick enough, has adhesive backing and easy to install. I made swimbait rod foregrip using Winn Rod tape with good results. Tom

If you can’t effectively adjust the drag force something is wrong with tensioning washers or the drag disk isn’t working. Smooth Drag makes Carbontex drag washers for your reel. Tom

I want to take a few minutes to thank everyone on this site for helping keep my sanity and enjoy fishing via this site. Met a new friend who is a BR member Big Hands and Jeff has taken this old timer out on the water and catching a few bass. This morning Jeff’s son Ted shared the boat with us and we had an epic day, definitely a trip to remember. 10+ bass each doesn't sound particularly outstanding until you factor in the bass average close to 4 lbs each, we all had several 4 1/2+ lb bass each on spinning tackle. Happy 4th of July Holiday, I had mine a few days early??? Tom

SC Victory VTC 68MXF with Shimano SLX 70 MGL, 10lb FC of choice or 11 Sunline Defier Armilo. Soft plastic tube without weight is less then 1/8 oz, add the tube weight for total. Tom PS, Shimano reel use 3 brakes on & 3 brakes off. 15% off 4th of July sales @TW

Flutter Craft in Poway California makes 3”and 4” Reapers. Tom

We thought Baby Oil and Coca Butter was cool for a sun tan, frying like bacon. The tan I have now are the freckles. Now it’s Elta MD UV Sport Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and facial plus Vertra SPF 45 water proof on the nose/ears, plus all the SPF clothing, hat, gloves etc. Will be 80 in a few weeks. Tom

Well, Memorial is gone the new TW sale is 15% off for the 4th of July Independence Day?? Tom

It takes power to set a heavy wire jig hook, too much power and you tear out thinner wire treble hooks. Heavy lures cast better on higher power rods. Moderate action rods are more forgiving when casting. Make your decision on the lure weight and hook wire size. Tom

Never leave your sonar units on the boat when trailering or away from the boat. I always used quick disconnect RAM units and put the sonar away, easy and safe. Tom

Broad statements are easily misunderstood. Define Jig; Flipping a Heavy Cover Arkie shape jig weed guard is only 1 of 100’s! Darter head Swim jig Shaky Head jig ball head Mushroom head Finesse jig (serial types) Wacky jig Football under 1/2 oz Just to name a few can be effectively fished using MF casting rod/reel, I do it all the time. Tom

Do sit or stand when cranking with your 7’6” rod? If you stand the rod length isn’t an issue. Tom

If you haven’t already look at the BR video library and articles, lots to keep anyone busy and very educational. You may have already overloaded your skill set with 8 combo’s. Suggest picking just 4 and spending time on the water developing your confidence a fewer choices. Welcome aboard and ask any question about bass fishing as someone will have the answer. Tom

Not sure what you mean by “Preset”? You mention kayak fishing so a casting rod with shorter handle under 14? Overall length under 7’? Budget ? Combo rods sold be BPS for example are usually a compromise not generally suited for all around use. I would suggest a rod 6’8” to 7’ in Medium power, Fast action, lure weights 1/4 to 3/4 oz. Rod suggested for jerk baits are usually ideal with shorter handles. Reels, lots of choices offered by Daiwa, Lew’s and Shimano within most budgets. Gear ration around 7:1 are popular. The early statement you can’t fish jigs with a multi use rod is simply a matter of choice. I fish jigs 3/16-5/16 oz a lot using a 6’8” MF rod designed for top water lures, works good. Tom .

Usually take 1 combo either a casting MHF T-rig w/ sliding bullet weight 3/0 straight shank hook and a bag with variety of worms. sometimes a spinning combo MF Slip Shot rigged size 2/0 worm hook a bag of finesse worms/reapers and 5” Senko. That is all I need. At my age bank fishing is usually near or around the marina a few hours. Rarely do that anymore and prefer letting a boat take to the fish. Tom

Bassmaster magazine arrived today and revealing their top 100. I am just now reading this and will digest the content. My 1st reaction in the west was listing Lake Pyramid #14, shouldn’t on any list! Tom

Agree we shouldn’t lump all Fluorocarbon line and monofilament line into 1 group. Actually we can because Fluorocarbon line is actually a monofilament line made from different polymers. Nylon or polyamide (PA) is the basic material “mono” line extruded from. There are lots of PA’s with wide range blends of properties. PA is hygroscopic means it absorbs moisture but that doesn’t necessarily weaken the polymer it can strengthen it. Some PA’s absorb up to 10% moisture and weaken as a result, others less 1.4% and increase toughness as a result. If your mono line is changing clarity or getting milky looking then it’s not a good line. Premium mono lines have very low moisture absorption and unaffected by soaking in water. Fluorocarbon line isn’t Fluorocarbon like Teflon is, it’s polyvinylidene fluoride or PVDF. PVDF isn’t hygroscopic and doesn’t absorb moisture so physical properties are not affected soaked in water. The advantage of PVDF is it’s light refraction is identical to water thus invisible in water. Should be excellent fishing line and is. Like PA’s there are different blends of PVDF used to make fishing line, they are not all equal. Seaguar, Sunline, Today are nearly equal within similar price range. Stay away from bargain line, the processing isn’t high quality and get less then you pay for. Tom

St Croix Victory Marshall is everything you are looking for. 7’3”, MHF, 5/16 to 1 oz lures, very light weight rod with premium cork split handle. American made rods with good warranty and discounts available for 1st time buyers. Tom

I would 1st untwist the line by running behind the boat at walking speed without anything tied on for a few minutes. This will untwist the braid and when you reel the back on do it while the boat is still underway to add some tension. Learn to keep some light finger pressure on the line whenever retrieving the line. Loose line can loop as you work your lure. Tom

The fact the bait is balled up means they are being attacked by predators. If the bait looks like a elongated cloud loosely formed indicates they are not being harassed by predators. It’s worth a try If balled up. Tom

Catt suggested using zip ties for jig skirts decades ago! Tom

The rule prevents cathcing the same bass more then once. If the anger returned to the same bed and caught the same weight bass he did that intentionally regardless of the casting distance...DQ! Tom

Yep, put them in boiling water for a few minutes then lay out straight on paper towels. The oil helps soft plastics suspend so you may want to add a few drop of glycerin oil with a few drops of 100% anise oil in the zip lock bags after boiling to soften the worms. Tom

PM your email and I will send you my In-Fisherman Horizontal Jigging Article, this is my most successful presentation. Stroking is more a vertices impulse strike action, worth trying. Tom