WRB-2.0

What make & model MHF is rated 3/16-5/8 oz? Most MF jerk bait rods have similar rating. The issue is enough rod power to get a good hook set using T-rigged soft plastics. I use my Major Craft 6’8” MF rated 1/4-5/8 effectively for T-Rigged soft plastic using 11 Defier mono and Owner 4107 3/0 Cover Shot hook. I reel and rod set to get a good hook set. I believe your line and leader is OK as is. Tom

***spinning***? Tom

^^^^this^^^^ too big diameter for fresh water size spinning reels! Casting reel you over filled it. Tom

There maybe enough interest in a retro Old School derby limiting 2D sonar only event if the top names competed. Some lake types are not suited to Forward Scanning Live Scope Sonar so it depends on lots of factors. California major bass tournaments don’t draw large numbers of fans, it’s all about prize money with little angler name recognition. Tom

Irod IRG 783SB 7’8” Fast/Mod, 1-4 oz is ideal for your lures. Tom

$50 for every 100 gallons of gasoline is cheap insurance. Tom

Suggest contacting Dan Isaac @ ReelEx. Dan is a expert on Shimano reels and will completely super tune the Reel for about $35. Dan is located in NorCal. Tom

Back in the late 70’s we called it dart head, still works good. Tom

No longer have a long time fishing partner, all gone including my son. Trying to backseat occasionally and develop a partner, still enjoy time on the water. Tom

Try to find trailers 2 1/2” to 2” for 1/4oz jigs with smaller claws or no claws for bottom contact. Most floating finesse or 5” strait hand pour worms can be cut in half then spilt about 1 1/2” with a safety razor to make tails for good for trailers. Tom

We all have our own ideas about colors and that why bass lures come in the widest range imaginable. Bass have no problem finding prey that closely match the cover / water color so it becomes a confidence choice. I prefer dark purples or black with blue neon vain or highlights in off color water and at night. Tom

Owner Jubgke Weedless Wacky Hook #4109 size 1 for 5” or 6” wacky rig Senko. This hook isn’t a heavy wire but is very strong and no issues missing strikes. Tom

Simm’s sun protection SPF 50 Gaiter and gloves are light weight and comfortable. Still need a good hat! SunDay Afternoon is a lightweight SPF hat. Tom

It depends on the line and knot force applied to the connection knot. Mono, FC and Copoly lines are all plastic that cold forms under pressure weakening the line were it’s deformed. Deformation occurs mostly with knots tied into a hard solid component like hooks. If you tie a knot that deforms the line time over pressure will weaken the knot. I don’t like a leader for the reason 2 knots to fail. When I do use a leader a fresh knot gives me more confident it will not fail easily. Always checking for line abrasions or any “shinny flatten Spots” and re tie often. Tom

How did your 1st day I’d summer go? Mine was at home and simply enjoying the great weather @ 72 degrees. Tom

3 power will be a lot easier to cast and more then enough strength for hook sets. Spinning would be a better choice then casting 5” Senko's because of more slack line to let the Senko free fall. Casting you need to strip off a yard of loose line. Tom

The late Tom Mann stated in his book Think Like a Fish that he would run his big engine through weed beds to stir up everything, then sit back and catch bass. The 2002 Classic when Jay Eli’s catches a 6 lb bass when a pontoon boat buzzed him, Jay makes a cast into the boat wake and catches the big bass. Tom

If you do well in practice and the fish you found are being caught by your competitors and you are not indicates a pressure mind set to me. No one can make bass bite trying to force them into striking your lure. The pressure of trying too hard changes your focus and that changes how you present the lures you believe is working. When that happens you are your own worst enemy. The suggestion to slow down is partially correct but not necessarily meaning fish slower but instead take a few deep breathers and calm down. Tournament fishing success is all about catching bass and not trying to out fish your competitors at the same time. It’s very difficult to stay focused ignoring you are in a contest but that is the key to catching the bass you found in practice. Tom

Piscifun reels look good to the entry level or casual angler and internet reviews are supportive. Without real world experience the novice buyer is trying to get a good deal within a budget. Entry level anglers are not thinking about future resale and replacement parts let alone maintenance. Tom

15% off at ALF. Tom

Gary Yamamoto always used spinning tackle or his power and finesse fishing, use what works. Don Iovino’s paper back book Finesse Fishing and the Sonar Connection is a go source for finesse fishing and basics using sonar. I realize you don’t use sonar ( fish finders) but good to know the basics anyway. Don used what today is called Bait Finesse System* and later years added spinning outfits for drop shot. Tom * Don is a expert bait casting reel technician converting reels for finesse fishing.

I target big bass when they are catchable under ideal conditions for active bass feeding. Learned a long time ago you can’t make inactive bite bass anything. I only finesse fish to catch neutral active bass looking for numbers not big bass. Sometimes you stumble onto a big bass using light tackle, not ideal but it works. To summarize; catch big bass when you can and that is usually under low light conditions. The balance of the day go fishing for numbers using finesse presentations. Where I fish you adopt finesse presentations or get get blanked most of the time. Tom

6’8”-6’10” Medium Fast casting rods are very versatile for a wide variety of lures within 3/16 to 5/8 oz weight range. Top water, jerk baits, smaller crank baits, Finesse jigs and worms. When sold nearly all my tackle the 2 casting rods I kept were Custom ALX jig & worm rod and MC Iovino Splash-It rod, they cover everything I need as a occasional back seater. I use SLX 70 MGL with 11 lb Armilo on the MF rod, great combo for the lures within the weight range. Tom

Daiwa Tatula 7’1” HF on your list looks good; 1/4-1 1/2 oz w/ cork handle @ $159. Haven’t handles this rod and may be a little stiff for a worm rod. Daiwa Tatula Elite 7’4” MHF, 1/4-1 3/8 oz maybe more versatile for both jigs and worms@ $180. Tom

I keep all my terminal tackle in 2 boxes Plano Guide series 4600, 1 for weights and 1 for hooks. The 4600 is a 2 tier box so smaller sizes in the top. Owner 4107 is my current worm hook for standard T -rigs w/ Bullet weights. Tom