Big Bait Fishing

Check out the shimano compre drop shot rod , it's 7'2" medium powered with an extra fast tip(action) . The reel seat looks to be a size 16 , shouldn't be to thick .A little more than a hundred bucks...

For soft plastics, I like an extra fast action and good backbone.

The rods I use are all spiral wrapped with micro guides , I use straight braid on my casting rods and Izorline XXX on my swimbait rods . I have found that line clarity is a myth , I catch plenty of bass on straight braid !!..

I have evolved into using nothing but longer rods, I use mostly 7'10" rods for everything , I am gonna have a 9' swimbait rod built in a few weeks !! I am 6'1" and am 220 , longer rods feel very comfortable, better casting and for working lures .

I use the improved clinch knot for everything except when tying on a drop shot hook , that's the only time I use a Palomar knot . To join lines , a uni to uni knot or an Albright knot .

Braid is called MAXCUATRO...

New braid for the power pro guys ...

10 lb. Sonic Braid on my spinning set up, no leader, if I do , I use TORAY super strong hard in 10#

You would be better off with Izorline XXX , it's strong and doesn't have the horrific memory of Yo-Zuri hybrid and P-line CXX , you will like it a lot , cause if you decide on Yo-Zuri or CXX , you might want to buy one of their big spools cause you'll be changing line after every two or three fishing trips ..

I certainly invest my $ in custom rods and always get high quality reels (Abu Garcia !!) Then invest in ceramic bearings and large EVA paddle handles.. So yes, BOTH !!!!

Stren Sonic Braid , very,very good ...

Go with the Revo winch , check out the review on Tackle tour. Com

I still have an old carrot stix 7' eh rod still , that thing has been through it but is still in one piece !! Seems pretty indestructible to me , gonna sell it soon as I don't use it any more and I have customs made with longer blanks, they are all built with spiral wrapped micro guides, love them !!

Very true , color of an unnatural baits is secondary to the action you are giving the bait ...

Best line for swimbaits hands down is Izorline XXX co-polymer line , super strong and supple without too much stretch . I use 20# for baits 2-5 oz.and 25# for baits 5-8 oz. And 30# for baits 8-12 oz. I use the smoke color but they now have a green colored line which I will try next time I respool .

I only use Owner hooks , My favorite are the cutting point hooks - ST41's (treble hooks) , rig'n hooks (wide gap hooks) . Beast hooks( swimbait hooks) . And the oversize worm hooks for 10"+ worms .

My favorite color is FX summer shad ,works every where but is dynamite in clear water .

Using a leader with braid is not really mandatory. I myself don't use one and I use 10# braid on my spinning set up. I think if you want to use a leader or just go with straight braid , either choice works and you will catch fish . Having a clear leader is a confidence thing , if it works for you that's what matters...

Owner ST-41's , sticky sharp !!!

Check out japantackle.com for JDM spools and other stuff , I'm thinking of getting a shallow spool for my SX .

I've said it before and I'll say it again , why the need for "hard" hook sets ???? Get some Owner hooks and just give the rod a little snap and FISH ON !! As for line digging in, it happens with flourocarbon and mono also , not just braid, thanks goodness dig ins and birds nests come out so much more easier with braid

I find that I catch fish wether using braid or flourocarbon, I catch fish all the time using braid dropshotting !!So line clarity to me is a non issue . Just my opinion......

Oh yeah, I also have #10 Sonic Braid on my spinning set up !!

And it's also like a rubber band !! That stuff stretches big time !

I've been using straight braid for awhile , I used to use flourocarbon leaders but since I went to micro guides, I went to straight braid. I started out with #50, then to #40,#30 and now I am very comfortable with #20 , I have tried many brands of braid but am hooked on Stren Sonic Braid. I've learned that through practical experience over the years that line clarity is mainly a myth . The only reel I don't have braid on is my Revo Toro which is my swimbait reel. I have Izorline XXX co-polymer in #20-25 (depending on the size baits I'll be using ) .