WRB-2.0

No! SLX70 MGL is equal in performance to the Curado 70 MGL. I use 11# Armilo, sweet reel. Tom

I use both spinning and bait casting with success. I hate braid and FC line but use both at specific conditions. .010 diameter is my deportation point, larger it’s bait casting and smaller it’s spinning. The Braid I prefer floats and cuts through aquatic vegetation, the only reason to use it. FC sinks with lower coefficient of line drag, good for bottom contact lures but...lower knot strength then mono. Can’t see any reason to use braid with FC leader. Mono over .010D casting reels I use Sunline Defier Armilo Nylon. Under .010D spinning I use Maxima 5# Copoly line. Tom

Pick a color that “you” can see easily under your fishing conditions. I wouldn’t go less then 10 lb braid for bass fishing. Tom PS, Fins Spin5 yellow works, 10#=.004D & 15#=.006D.

Young female Bluegill. Tom

I used lead weights for over 45 years and caught more bass then I recall, still use lead jigs I make. In the 90’s Painted brass bullet weights with a tempered glass bead, larger then lead but still use it. Tungsten is smaller then lead and harder then brass but always check the hole for smooth rounded edges with bullet weight, cuts the line. I use 1 size tungsten bullet weight 3/8 oz., 3/32 nail weight, that’s it. 1/8, 3/16, 1/4 oz are all lead or brass. Tom

Americans? We are only interested in bass anglers regardless of nationality. Lures continually evolve and get cloned along the way but few out perform the originals, the that do are stand outs. Rapala introduced the “Finland” lure that became the original Rapala Floating Minnow, balsa wood with foil finish. How many Senko copies have been cloned.... Tom

You don’t have any limits on what to bring using your own boat. What to use is whole different topic and always fish your strengths in a tournament. Yes seasonal plays a role during the spawn cycle. Location is dependent on spawning areas and nearby access to spawning areas until the cycle is completed. Texas rigged worms, Senko’s, drop shot,swim jigs with Kietec swimmers all work well top to bottom. Tom

Use lures that appeal to basses sight impulse to strike. Lures natural movements and more translucent coloration. Line that doesn’t hinder the natural movements. Look for changes is water color like mud lines created by wind, fish the wind beaten areas, look for shaded areas and any cover, even 1 stick up can make a big difference. Think finesse because this is why light line bass fishing was created. Tom

Copy Rights only protect the name, patent protects the design for each country who agrees to US and foreign patents. Strike King has copied dozens of original design lures. Tom

Owens lake to Death Valley is one of the worlds largest lithium and other strategic mineral areas. It’s too environmentally sensitive to mine to date. Tom

10” minimum, wow! I would use the following. 4.8 Flick Shake watermelon candy worms, #1 mosquito hook wacky, 1/8 oz drop shot, 8” to 10” leader length, 7# FC. 1’ to 5’ 2”,square Bill in Shad color. Tiny Torpedo or Zip n Ziggy* in baby bass. Ned rig. Tom * Owner Cultiva lure

Back in the day we lapped gears using Colgate White tooth paste using a drill motor on low to turn the gear shaft. Todays reels have precision machined gears at very close tolerances, no reason to polish them. Do not over pack reel gears with grease and use light gear grease sparingly. Light reel oil bearings and or bushings. Tom

Couple of questions; 1. Smallmouth or Largemouth? 2. minimum tournament length? 3. Reservoir or natural lake? 4. Seasonal period? Tom

White 60 is good when bass are feeding on shad early mornings. Tom

Diamond hook hone. I got at Marriotts fly shop back in the 70’s. Tom

Caught all my 5 giant bass listed under my avatar on casts 40 yards using 7/16 oz hair jigs. Not exactly a light lure or line 10# 12# Mono. The secret to making long cast with jigs & soft plastics is my reel & sweep hook set and extremely sharp hooks. Strike detection is what takes time to perfect. Tom

What everyone should considered is the rods ability to handle forces applied by the reels drag. The second fact to understand is the start force required to get the drag to slip and force when slipping. Spinning reels usually have higher start up drag force then baitcasting reels. The drag materials need to slip without heating and seizing or jerking...must be smooth. Adjust drag pressure by actually lifting dead weight. Caution do not try to lift more then the can withstand. Generally; rod bent 90 degrees, don’t high stick lift. Standard bass rods. Medium Light or 2 power is 2 pounds Medium or 3 power is 3 pounds Medium Heavy or 4-5 power is 4 pounds. Heavy or 5-6 power is 5 pounds. Swimbait rods, add 1 pound. Why do you need more drag force then a rods power ? It’s easy to add drag force with your index finger on a spinning reel spool and thumb on a baitcaster. Tom PS, 1 pint plastic water bottle weighs 1 pound, simply use a plastic grocery bag and place the water bottle in and lift.

Tackle Warehouse has hanging spinnerbait Plano boxes Tom

Excellent video?? Tom

Look good and excellent colors, should work everywhere up NorCal. Tom

That is how we gather 100’s of soft plastics..... Tom

Active feeding bass will chase down faster moving lures, neutral bass may not be willing to chase. Consider bass are neutral mood about 60% of the time during a 4 hour time period and 20% inactive leaving 20% active your odds are better targeting neutral bass or covering lots of water to find active bass. Choices. Tom

Toss the Real Magic in the can. The casting motion is very different using bait casting reels vs spinning reels. It should be mostly wrist with minimum arm movement and let the rod launch the lure....slow down the back cast motion....no whip casting. If spinning works for no reason to fight bait casting. Tom

6” Irod IRG 754F $150 works good. Tom

Big game has good knot strength, impact strength* and abrasion resistance, the down side is diameter per pound test and smoothness, 25% larger diameter and varies in diameter and casting performance vs Armilo. 5 Years casting 25# Armilo with swimbaits between 2 to 7oz never lost a lure from breaking off or any other reason. Down side to Armilo is price, performance is excellent. Tom