OkobojiEagle

Yes, I've been using "fused" Fireline on spinning reels since the mid 1990s. oe

Bronze hooks can open somewhat easily both pulling free of snags and fighting large fish such as musky, catfish, carp, ect. I purposely open them very slightly when kirbing the point. I can't remember losing a bass due to a bronze hook opening though. oe

Thought I'd add some "dual lock" snaps to an online order... seems there are at least a dozen brands to choose from. Which brand "dual lock" "duo lock" snaps do you prefer and what size(s) do you use? (If you didn't notice, I'm only interested in the traditional "dual lock/ duo lock" variety.) oe

...sometimes you just need a friend to talk it out with. oe

Victorinox alox Cadet is my everyday carry... Swiss Army 7 alox my outdoor yard, garden, fishing carry. oe

Just so I know who I might be emulating... who does Fenwick sponsor? oe

My Christmas wish to you is that you are spending a wonderful day with your family! oe

My opinion... line diameter has a greater affect on visibility than color of line. oe

Cut the leading hook off the front treble... and keep the rod tip high as Cgolf suggests above. oe

Think of it as braid. I didn't like it on baitcasting reels... I have used the original Fireline on my spinning reels since the mid '90s. oe

not used as a lubricant, but to break up any developing rust and clean "gunk" from the hinge.

...but easy. Using it a couple times each season does work. oe

If rusty pliers are a problem, introduce yourself to a jar of Naval Jelly. A couple times each season spray your pliers' joint with WD40. oe

The "brain" of a bass is the size of a pea. In my opinion, a bass doesn't have a "mind". oe

Each of us has or will go down this same rabbit hole. I've emerged deciding I only need to carry two 3600 boxes and a couple small pockets for plastic baits and tools. I suggest you decide what you really WANT to catch your bass with and only carry those baits. It will take you some time to get to this point, but I'll be here to pat you on the back when you climb back to the reality that bass can be caught with surprisingly few baits/techniques. oe

Pretty good interview with Dee Thomas on Y**tube site. Search this post's title. oe

Consistency of bait release point is a practicable skill that greatly improves accuracy... consistency of rod length (at least length of rod portion above the reel) helps to this end. oe

I have tied and fished streamer patterns with the drop-shot technique. I found I needed to VERY SLIGHTLY weight the streamer hook to eliminate the bait from orienting vertically. oe

??? oe

Hook material & coatings have improved all hooks... oe

doesn't seem to be smallmouth specific...

To satisfy my curiosity, in your opinion, what techniques might require more top of the line performance? oe

If you tackle the job, I'd recommend cleaning the anti-reverse bearing AS A UNIT and NOT take it apart. oe

I use jig worms over Texas rigs, but often with off-set or wide gap hook shanks and points covered. oe

Pretty much my entire quiver says Fenwick on it... most likely a couple in there are older than a few of our members. oe