flippin and pitchin

Spinnerbait rod on #16 FC. Most are 3/8 but i will throw a 1/2 from time to time. The hooks on chatterbaits are stout and to drive them home I want some power.

You are looking at exactly what I have except my stradic is a 3000. I just spooled it up with Power Pro Slick #15 which is like #6 mono. This is one of my favorite combos.

When you are pitching, speed is your friend. It's close quarters presentation and normally in or around heavy cover. The bite can come the millisecond the lure hits the water or just as you lift it out for your next pitch. You already know that. Getting your lure in when no bite takes place, faster, allows you to make more presentaions per minute and the more your lure is in the strike zone, the greater chance to get bit. Having the ability to take up line fast after the strike will get a fish moving your way and reduce the chance of getting mired in the cover.

Are you texting while driving ?

Luhr Jensen Speed Trap Normans DLN Normans DD22

I bought some of those baits two years ago and rigged them on football heads and swim jigs for smallmouth. I did a post on it. They make great smallie baits.

So you own a Ranger you bought and paid for, no help no sponsorship and wear a Ranger hat and jacket. That's identifying with a product you are proud to own. That's okay. You own a Revo and get a hat on an Abu promotion. You identify with the product. That's okay. So go find a jersey and have brand logos put on it you want to identify with. There's absolutely no rule that says you can't. If someone asks you if you are sponsored tell them the truth, you love the product and share your support of it on your back. This stuff gets so far out of balance.

Grass carp are not native in the US so most were planted to control weed growth. They are generally protected. Make sure yours are fair game and avoid a fine if they are. Do you know they will hit a top water bait ?

Comments: Takes time and effort to develope confidence. One of the best techniques to search for fish. They catch largemouth and smallies equally as well. You can spend a fortune to get a good bait or less than five bucks. Four or five color patterns cover about all your needs. The term deep is relative to the body of water. Having equipment that permits long casts is an advantage. Parabolic action rods seem to improve hook and land ratios. 8 ot 10 pound test line is stronger than you might think. There is a dog's breakfast of opinions on what rod reel, baits, line, snap or no snap and or hook to use. Just find something you like and go fishing. They can flat wear you out. Before you buy one deep diver, buy a lure retriever. If you want to fish for fish other anglers leave alone, fish DD crankbaits. In the right siuation, in the right spot, you can load the booat and not move it one inch. Kent already knows all this and is setting us up. Happy cranking !

Great information. I am going to have to try this rig on the Columbia River.

The BB1 is a different reel with features designed to maximize casting distance, ease of retrieve with lures (crankbaits) that require torque and a different anti reverse system. The intent of the design features ? Cast a crankbait a long long way, crank all day with minimum fatigue, feel the subtle vibrations of the bait in the reel itself. It's not about that much more for ten bucks as it is that much different. Try one and you will believe it.

1982-1984 and made by Ryobi. Not quite an AD4000V or AD5000V but in the day it was a pretty slick reel. They sold new for about forty five bucks while the Lews ran about $110.00 new. It brings back alot of memories. Thanks for showing it !!

I was smallie fishing on the Columbia with my buddy and close to the I-84 highway. I looked over and saw four ODOT employees changing a damaged guard rail and each of them was actually working. Iv'e never seen anything like it before or since. I wished I had my camera.

I kind of noticed each angler started this event working their strengths first, much like last years event. The pattern was narrow and those who didn't make the transition quickly enough were in a hole and had to come from behind. Last year saw multiple patterns working and was more interesting. It beats watching Bubble Guppies,

Dowen, may I answer you actual question ? Rod manufactures look at what models sell to include by lenth, power and action. Many have set the X-fast action on DS because it's probably the most popular and they want to sell what anglers want. Every manufacture's offering will feel differnet regardless if the power and actions are stated the same. Fish what feels good for YOU ! I have a Lamiglas DS701TS drop shot rod. I would not recommend it to anyone buying it blind. It has a different feel most anglers probably wouldn't like but it's the preferred power and action. Go figure. This gig gets way too complicated.

You're cursed, plain and simple. You have done some transgression to the fish gods. You might as well give up the sport or try a glass rod.

The Boomerang Snip is the deal. It cuts braid like butter with no frayed ends. This is not a gimmick product. It's good enough that I bought one for my tournament partner. Scissors are a thing of the past.

See what power and influence you guys hold. When BR members speak the mountains tremble.

The BB1 comes with all six brakes out. Set one pair in for starters and hang on. I think you'll be happy.

Skunked: When the fishing stinks so bad you catch zippo.

Good perspective Joe. Bass fishing is like figuring out why your lawn mower won't start. Fuel ? Spark? Compression ? Knowing the questions to ask is as important as coming up with the answers. Each angler should have a system of questions based on the biology and behavior of the fish. When I get messed up is when I get a false positve. Not all fish are doing the same thing at the same time.

I wish I had never learned about Tackle Warehouse. One of the best, if not the best selections anywhere. Prices are good to very good and the service and shipping is unmatched in my book. They carry Northstar, Mega Strike, Pinnacle and Rage by the way so you can support those sponsors indirectly.

Justin, you have a very versatile rod there. Do you toss chatterbaits, swim jigs or need to target fish your spinnerbaits or squarebills ? If you need a rod for short accurate casts, even top waters. You have it. To answer your question about buying a rod and wonderoing what I am going to use it for, No. I always had at least some idea what I would use it for. Have I bought a rod I found myself unhappy with after awhile. Oh yeah. Way to many. Worst case, sell it or trade it or save it for one of those happy kids in your avatar.

Water clarity, light penetration and region will usually dictate which is more effective. Plastics are cheap...buy both.

I learned to pitch over 32 years ago because I had to. I was a back seater and my buddy was a bank hugger and his delivery was overhand casts while seated, the Bill Dance style and left little opportunity for me. I started with short side arms casts and developed that into a pitching pretty quick. I used 6 foot rods in the beginning and built my first 7 foot rod in 1979. I graduated to a Fenwick Flippin Stick ( Thanks Dee Thomas )in 1980. I still have it. You can pitch with any rod. Longer rods just make it easier because they generate more lure speed with less effort. I like what JFranco says about pitchin with a drop shot. It works really well.