Darren.

I use Bass Pro Stick-Os most of the time for wacky, but not often for drop shot. And I never use o rings for wacky... For drop shot I like Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms

Welcome aboard!

Welcome aboard, @tav!

Welcome aboard! Assume you're talking the terminal knot (hook)? Possible the line is abraded/weak due to various issues (snags, structure, etc.)? After an "issue" where the line rubs a dock pylon, downed tree, bridge, rocks, do you rub your fingers down the line to make sure it isn't nicked anywhere? As well, since it's your first time using, can't dismiss the possibility it's a bad spool...

Shimano and Daiwa make some in Japan, some in Malaysia

Yeah but they caught it the second time!

If spinning: 6'3" Legend Tournament + Shimano Stradic 1000 If casting: 6'6" ML Carbonlite + Shimano Chronarch 50e Lures: 4" Senkos for wacky and "weightless" TX, Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms for drop shotting, and I might also add a spinnerbait for the third as I'm working them in to my repertoire again, with more success than before.

Never, but it has some nice looks. Did a quick google and found this for a diff model, but same company (nothing popped up on the model you listed): http://www.ultimateangling.co.za/index.php?topic=17789.0

What everyone else said. LMB!

No sir. Red Label is on the stiff side, which means coils and springs and bad words that follow. It's a fine leader material, though. You're better off with a more limp fluorocarbon, but yeah, they can be more expensive... Tatsu is one.

That tip saves money. Done it many times myself. Your best way to get actual diameter of braid is to get a set of calipers

Yamamoto Senko.

Good stuff, Blue. Brings back memories of taking my sons (when they were wee lads) fishing.

That's a negative for me.

Nice bass, and a great start to 2017!

Good ol Hank!? I'd LOVE to spend 30 min chatting with him. Awesome story!

Welcome aboard @Wes91!

Excellent work!

Welcome aboard, @Jake Lepak!

WOW, aNOTHER old thread revival! PREACH!! Amazing what Feb of 2017 brings in terms of old threads. Hey, I tried coloring my braid. Worked! Black, too. But I still prefer to use a leader. Go figure!

Dude, you're killing me! I need to win the lottery to get some of this steak!! Descriptions are amazing.

Dang, Paul! Nice bass and a hossy blue gill! I went out for first time in Feb today and could only manage an 18" pickerel in 2 hours!! Success because it was NOT a skunk day! But I'd take your ladies any day of the week!! Psst - @A-Jay, the pickerel was on a white pond magic spinnerbait (3/16 oz), NOT a wacky rig.

Welcome aboard! And definitely sounds like you have a handle on what/how you want to freshwater fish. I can't really add much to your comments because I'm mainly a light line angler that prefers shorter rods (5'6"-6'3" with 6'6" the max)... But good luck on all your endeavors!

For the last year, I've used uni-to-uni more than the Albright/mod'd version and had 100% success with it using 10, 15, and 20# braid to anywhere from a 4-15# leader (mainly 6, 8, and 10). Now I can say that I've had some knots fail with very slick leader line - P-Line Floroclear comes to mind here in 6# diameter. But the failure always occurs when I've tied and then pull-tested the knot before use. Have had it fail with Albright, too. So with thinner diameter lines I add more wraps. Takes care of the breakage problem. Your experience may vary from mine, of course. But with all these line-to-leader knot scenarios, use what works best for you!

February 2017! The month of old thread revivals! Not singling you out, @Bucky205, there have been a few others, too For this thread, I think @J Francho's post above yours states braid+leader use best. Drag has a lot to do with the success of the whole setup. When done right, a braid+leader connection should not fail. I've gone years with successful connections with extreme rarity that I ever break at the connection...