snapshotmd

Since I lost a bunch of bass on bad treble hooks, I’ve been doing a lot of research. I found out that Rick Clunn uses a heavy power rod for cranking. His reasoning was along the lines of not having hook setting power with a whippy fiberglass rod. This makes sense. The idea behind a whippy rod is to allow flex so that the bass don’t rip the treble hooks out. But that is because the hooks weren’t set properly in the first place, with the barb not buried. Furthermore, if the crankbait had good trebles to begin with, there is more chance the hook would stick and bury the barb. This minimizes a “shallow” hook set where the bass is barely hooked. I believe that a whippy rod is good for stock (bad) trebles. If good trebles are used on the crank then a good sweeping hook set on a rod with backbone is the ticket.

Do a search on Pitching and Flipping here. Also, lots of youtube videos so you could see what it looks like. Respectfully, I don't think you are at the level of targeting. Just catch fish and have fun doing it. Judging from your questions, you have a lot to learn. Probably the best thing to do is to read whatever you can on bass fishing, practice your casting in the backyard (especially pitching & flipping), and join a local club as a non-boater. In my mind, the most important thing is to cast accurately to put the bait in front of bass. Trust me on this.

Would you be a boater or non-boater? One piece of advice I could give you is to learn how to pitch and flip... well. I found P&F absolutely essential!

I've been looking for a good treble hook to replace the ones on my Rebel crawfish crank. I lose almost every bass I hook up right at the boat! I bought a few and the Mustad KVD treble seems to be the best in hooking my finger when I brush the lure. They look like a Mustad triple grip. I So Hooligan, what do you change your trap hooks to?

If you gut hooked a bass with a jig, what would you do? What can be done? I did this today and wasn't sure what to do. I cast the jig out and turned to talk to my buddy. When I turned my attention back to what I was doing I noticed the line was a lot closer to me than I remembered. I set the hook and boated a 3.5 lb largemouth. She was bleeding pretty bad, but she was still fiesty. I cut the line and let her go with the jig. She appeared to swim away without any problem. I was thinking about this all day. What are the chances that the bass will survive after that sort of trama; with a jig inside. I had thought about keeping it and having it for dinner. What would've been the right thing to do?

OK, consider this. If fish could see UV, then they could see fluorocarbon line since it fluoreces in UV light.

Mark, RW has great advice. With what you have now, I would get some Senkos and worm hooks. Texas rig them then go to town. If want to pursue bass you will want a faster action rod with backbone to drive the hookset. Uglysticks are good rods, but not for bass. Try to get yourself a baitcaster combo setup. I prefer med-hvy, fast action rods. If you really want to have fun, go out and get yourself some plastic frogs and some wide gap worm hooks. This is primetime to fish frogs. I use dark colors; black, green pumpkinseed and 5/0 widegap hooks. Find some grass, then cast out and retreive. Bass will "blow up" on the frog and make your heart skip a beat! OK, maybe there is a little bit of an investment here but you will need: Med-Hvy rod Baitcast reel Braided line, 50lb I would keep most of what you have. I would get 1/2 oz egg weights for C-rigs. Try to get some crawfish imitators. Good luck!

I'm gonna have to try that. Might be the cheap alternative to using Mend-it. I've been trying to figure out what the active ingredient in Mend-it is. Any guesses?

I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking it's the weight since I imbed the hook point. But it seems I've had this problem everytime I go out and in different situations.

I've been using a 3/16 oz texas rig with mono and I keep on getting caught on the bottom. I am getting caught up what seems like every 3rd cast! What can I do to prevent this from happening?

I'm not sure whether it is the Megastrike, or if I got better fishing since last year. Last year I joined a bass club and didn't catch too much at all; like 1 keeper all year. I got Megastrike late last year, but I wasn't using it consistently and was only putting on a little on my lures (a small 1/2" dab on my finger, then I smear it on). This year, I decided I was going to use it up by using a lot of it. I came in 2nd place in the 1st tnx. I've been using it on everything I throw now, and I use a lot of it; a line of MS down 1 side of the bait, then I smear it on evenly with my finger. I now consistently out fish whoever my boater is. But then again, I've been more accurate with my cast since last year. I definitely notice I miss less hook ups than my boaters.

I've had a bag of Fat Ikas in my bag and I'm wondering how others are rigging this lure? Any ideas appreciated.

We're a Harford County based club, so we stick to the waters up here.

We just had our club tnx and it was miserable! The conditions were 100% rain, 43* high, 25 mph gusts, water temp 53* dropping to 47* by the end of the tnx. Rain/sleeted the whole time. Suspended bass. We almost called off the tnx but we were all there and wanted to fish, so we shortened it to 5 hours. I was stressing out the day before and went on a mini-shopping spree. That tnx was a good testing ground on what I bought and learned a lot about foul weather fishing first hand, and from others who fished the tourney. Products: Item: Thermal underwear Brand: Rocky (Walmart brand) Model: Medium weight (30 degF) Snapshotmd Rated: B+ Description: When I put these on and my first layer, I started sweating. I had to wait till I got out in the garage to put the rest of my layers on. Awesome stuff for the price! Wicks away perspiration and kept me warm the whole day. My sleeves did get wet because of my gloves (see below). Once wet, the fleece was overwhelmed and didn't wick away fast enough and the cold started to set in. Item: Neoprene Fishing Gloves Brand: Bass Pro Model: Neoprene ($10.99) Snapshotmd Rated: D Description: These gloves were billed as 100% waterproof. I got water in my fingers within 15 minutes of being in the rain. The rain apparently permeated thru the neoprene and collected in the fingers. When I raised my arm, the water ran down my sleeves. At the end of the day, my hands were like prunes. But, it did keep my hands from freezing. Item: Rubber Boots Brand: Redhead Model: All-Purpose 6" Waterproof Boots Snapshotmd Rated: A- Description: These boots kept my feet dry but they were too short. When I sat down the top of my socks were showing. The boat that I was on didn't have a dual console. But miraculously, my socks didn't get wet. Things I learned: - When you get a good rainsuit, don't forget to get something for your feet! A good waterproof boot could be rubber knee boots that can be bought from Walmart for about $20. These are truely waterproof and tall enough to cover your legs when you sit. Whatever you get, make sure they're tall enough to cover your mid-shin. - When shopping for rainwear try to get sleeves which have elastic/strap around the wrist cuffs, waist, bottom of jacket, and ankles. Bib pants would've given me extra insurance. I left my parka pockets open and the rain seeped in through. Bib pants would've kept me from getting wet. - Like I said above; make sure your rainsuit pockets are zipped up! - A sweat wicking undergarment is a must. Turtlenecks are also a must! Don't forget to get undersocks for your feet! If you find a truely waterproof glove that I could fish with let me know.

I'm trying jigging/casting a spoon and noticed that it twisted my line. I was using a 3/4 oz spoon with a #12 snap swivel on 12# test with a baitcaster. I'm wondering if a bigger swivel is needed. Or even a ball bearing swivel? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Roger that on the mono backing! I do that on my baitcasters. I was just concerned that the PP instructions go against what I've been taught. But now I know that you can't twist braid that the PP method would probably be alright. But I still think that one should still spool the traditional way. I'll just do what PP says to do.

I'm trying to put this line on my spinning reel. Power Pro instructions for their EZ Spool system goes against traditional instructions for spooling a spinning reel. Anyone using this line with spinning tackle have problems with line twist?

I used to use a spinning rod to pitch only but figured out how to do it with a baitcaster. I find if I hold the lure with the opposite hand to wind up the rod a little it will cast further. I also found out that I have better thumb control if I palm the reel. This is only for pitching. Normally I'd have my index finger around the rod trigger. You also need to "tune" your reel with what you're throwing. After that put your bc into freespool and start pitching.

Chris, thank you for your comments. However, you may have mistook ACX meaning pressure treated wood. The plywood I'm using is NOT pressure treated. It is an exterior rated plywood which is intended to be protected with paint, waterproofer, spar varnish, etc. If left alone it WILL rot. I'm planning on putting down carpet on this plywood in my boat. I'm thinking the glue and carpet will protect the plywood deck from the sun. As for the rain, the carpet would probably make that worse, so I figure I'd keep the boat covered when it rains and uncovered (somewhat) when it's not raining to keep the boat dry.

What do people use on their porches? You know, like the farm houses that didn't use pressure treated lumber?

Has anyone used exterior paint to protect the deck and stringers? I'm planning on using ACX plywood for the deck and douglas fir for the stringers. Most exterior paints last 15+ years, whereas Thompsons waterproofer is only about 1-2 years. Also, since carpeting is likely to be used the glue would adhere better to the paint than the silicone based Thompsons... and the paint won't degrade from UV since it's covered with carpet. Although epoxy would be the ultimate, I don't think I need that kind of protection and thus I don't want to spend that type of $ or effort in mixing 2 parts. So, I guess my question is, why can't I use a couple coats of exterior paint?

I think I will. I just realized all my braid problems have a common denominator - Pure Fishing, Inc.!!! Thanks for the coups!

Update: I got a replacement (Sonic) from PureFishing but haven't spooled it yet. Instead I bought some Spiderwire in Lo-vis Green from Walmart and it's doing the same thing! The color is coming off like the Stren stuff, and getting all over the place. What gives?!?!?

Is that stuff similar to the gun scrubber that Birchwood puts out?

I'm trying to figure out how to remove the spool bearings on the crankside of the spool. Apparently on both my Pfluegers there is a crossbar which is in the way of sliding the bearing off the axle. I'm alright with the bearing in the side cover. I just can't figure out how to take the other one off. I'm doing this to maintain and clean the bearings.