WRB-2.0

When casting a jig I use the reel set with firm rod sweep works very good. Keep the rod tip down and reel fast to load up the rod then sweep back firmly keep reeling to control the bass.* Rod hook sets sometimes doesn’t move the hook point because you move enough line. Shortening a fiber weed makes stiffer, better to simply spread it out about 1/4” or cut out 1/3rd of the fibers. Tom * Greg Hackney has a video why I don’t miss jig bites

What presentation are you using? Casting the jig horizontally or pitching a shorter distance? Tom

Older thread stated 6 years ago. Since then Spot Lock has become standard, brushless motors are very quite and prices are up up up! The older motors required more force to steer compared to today’s. What is your budget? Tom

Mfr’s stated IPT isn’t close to actual IPT, gear ratio’s are accurate. My guess is the IPT is calculated based on spool diameter but when measured it’s a lot lower. Spool diameter and width plus line diameter and fill level affects IPT. My experience is using .012 diameter line on a 100 size bait caster with 8:1 gear ratio the IPT stars out at normal fill level around 28”. After casting 40 yards the IPT drops to 16”, 35 yards is 18”. Mfr’s IPT is 33” for reference. Tom

I retired my legacy Phenix finesse rods and choose the SC Victory spinning rods based on the handle design and light weight. I have 2 Victories the 7’1” MF and 7’3” MXF both with Shimano Vanford 2500 reels. The 7’1” MF excels using 5” Senko unweighted. The 7’3” MXF has a lighter tip and good for drop shot, slip shot rigs. I am using 15# Fins Spin5 braid w/10 lb Sniper on the Senko rod and straight 5# UG copoly on the finesse rod. Hook sets are easier using Senko’s with the MF rod with stronger tip but both rods are interchangeable or a toss up, the MXF is slightly better for all around finesse fishing. The 7’1” MF is close to the Dobyns Champ in power and action. Tom

Balance the ability to stand under moving conditions like standing in the front deck operating the TM without falling over board was my issue in selling my boat. Today when I get the opportunity to fish everyone treats my like the old man I am. I wouldn’t fall fall overboard but who believes this? Very discouraging to be treated as an old man and hope you all never experience this. But when you do be grateful!! Tom

Living on the west coast where Musky don’t exist my only reference was fishing magazine articles of this mystic fish. I net my wife who grew up on Lake of The Woods. We married and traveled to Canada and my in laws were lake trout and walleye anglers. As faith would have it the neighbor was a Musky guide. Lawerence thought me how to musky fish, thank you Lawerence! Like trophy bass fishing big musky dominate their locations. Locate where live then catching them is simply determination. Low light with light rain is ideal big fish weather so put in you time at locations they live under conditions ideal for catching a big predator = success. Tom

No mention of vacating any existing records or creating a Northern LMB category. IGFA is opening a new going forward record category for FLMB and Alabama Spotted bass. Lots of opportunities for record seeker's! Tom

IGFA announced Florida strain LMB is a separate bass species available for both line, weight and length record classes. IGFA also added Alabama or Southern Spotted as a separate species eligible for new records same as the FLMB. Long time coming as both Black bass are separate species. Tom

Dr Slick Hook file 4” or EXE -Lap diamond hook file. Tom

You can discount regional color favorites or buy into it and catch more bass. Is there a better soft plastic in Florida than Junebug? A better color nearly everywhere else then green pumpkin? You will never know without trying. Jig color Black & Blue works nearly everywhere including Florida because nearly everyone has it tied on. Color matter when it matters and it matters where I fish! Tom

Decompression surgery basically removes vertebrae bone pieces to relieve pressure on the nerves exiting between the vertebra. It should go well with a short recovery. I have DISH Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostoiss a condition that causes extra bone growth and bone spurs so familiar with vertebrae surgeries including fusion. If we keep our core muscles in shape the pressure on the lumbar spine is greatly reduce. 20 minutes a day doing crunches and set ups keeps the surgeon away. Get well soon Sam, Tom

Jon boats are limited to calmer water then modified like Bass Trackers. Width wider is better stability around 48” V hulls you can get by with 14’ aluminum boats. Tom

Get yourself a diamond hook hone and sharpen the spinner bait hook. Don’t rely on the rod for a hook set use your reel at 25-30 IPT to get the initial hook point to penetrate the basses mouth then sweep the rod back and keep reeling to control the bass. Tom

Shimano SLX with MGL spool I use 2 on-2 offfor maximum casting distance using .011 diameter mono or FC line. I started with 4 off and changed to 2 off casting into the wind and don’t see any difference in casting performance. Tom

Whatever mono-copoly-FC you decide to stay under .010 diameter. Tom

If anyone takes the time to understand giant bass growth study California’s Florida bass introduction in San Diego lakes. What was the common denominator to 18+ lb LMB. San Diego has exceptional climate that averages around 70 degrees with lows under 50 and highs under 90 degrees. Water temps rarely exceed 70 degrees in summer at 30’ depths. The weather conditions regarding stable water temps exist throughout the State but high and lows are more radical. Cool water available to the bass prolongs life time to grow. Tom

Him is a she if this bass is a big as your imagination. This fish isn’t being controlled you are! Are you sure you are losing the same bass? Very unusual for a big bass to strike any lure serval times in a year. Tom

Black fresh water Bass are cold blooded fish and their body temperature is the same as water they live in. Metabolism is based on body temperature and need to eat to stay healthy. Cold body reduces metabolic rate or less need to eat vs warm body with higher metabolic rate. 40 degree water/ body temps vs 80 degree the metabolic rate is less then half, still to eat but less often to maintain health. Bass have a need to add weight to survive the non-eating period during the spawn. Eat more with a colder body the bass gains weight with more calories then they burn. This make pre spawn the ideal time to bass fish, Tom

If Sunline Defier Armilo Nylon was as popular as it is when being closed out it still be available! Expensive mono line compatible Fluorocarbon the majority of anglers opt for FC. The price drop when being closed out attracted more users who may be disappointed it’s no longer available. No other mono comes close to Armilo performance; small diameter smooth casting with high knot and abrasion strength, but it’s academic now. Tom

1/4-20 torque is measured in inch pound! Simple technique is tighten until snug it slightly more then hand tight then 1/4 turn. Repaired thread I would exceed 90 inch pounds and use Vibra-Tite or lock-Tite as noted by Kieth. Sounds like you done an excellent repair👍 Tom

The simple answer is abundance of food that includes young of the year fish of several species, terrestrial insects and larve, frogs and tadpoles, crawdads just wide variety of prey sources to compete with using artificial lures. Tom

Sunline Super Natural is low memory soft mono ideal for spinning reels imo. There were 2 Deifer mono’s Armilo has high knot strength and abrasion resistance Shooter Diefer Nylon* slighter lower then Armilo with less memory, both exceptional mono lines. Tom * still available but being closed out.

Take a look at Okuma inshore spinning rods. Tom

When the baby bass are fingerling size the Owner/Cultiva Zip ‘n Ziggy is hard to beat in baby bass color. Tom