SausageFingers

My experience was terrible with the Veritas. The tip snapped 2 guides from the top on a dink. That said, I've read great things about them and people seem to love them My customer service experience with Pure Fishing was less than good. I have two Vendettas and they've been fantastic rods - super light, strong, and comfortable to fish with. I'd buy a bunch more. The Veritas experience may have just been an anomoly but its made me a little gun shy.

I have a hand held berkley scale. It works great. I check it every couple of weeks with 5 lb and 10 lb weights to check its accuracy. So far, the scale has always read 5-0 and 10-0.

Shallow, gnarly looking stuff

Definitely me. Without a doubt.

For what its worth, Im having the same issue this morning. I tried the same fix to no avail.

This season, its been a swim jig. Doesnt matter what brand, as long as the color looks something like a bluegill.

Its been pretty solid for the Rage Tail line

Strike King tour grade swim jig in blue gill with a watermelon candy paca chunk. Rage Tail baby craw in bama craw.

I think its still a little early but Im hoping they have it again this year. Im planning a trip for the week after and would love to take advantage of the discount.

For me, its lipless crankbaits. Just not confident with one. I was able to break the ice with a one-knocker this spring. Im hoping I can build on it.

No. I use a 7:1 STX for cranking and it produces just fine for me. Just a little aside - its not the ratio that matters. Its the inches per turn (IPT) that dictates how quick the reel will be pulling line.

Thats funny. Same thing happened to me, except the water temps weren't quite at 50 and I had my square bill box. Im happy to eat crow.,,when Im catching fish.

Interesting...

I use mine to take photos and videos on the water. Its actually pretty handy. Other than that, I try to leave it alone. Key word being try.

I've gotten into that stuff before as well. Its absolutely miserable. I use a product called Tecnu. It will do the trick.

If they're crushing a spinner bait, they're telling you something. They're likely keying on baitfish. Keep throwing baitfish imitators. They're just curious about the plastics but aren't really in the mood to eat it. In order to satisfy their curiosity, they have to pick it up with their mouth. They really dont have much of a choice. By the time you feel the strike, they've already dropped it.

Weightless 7.5" Culprit Original worm. I prefer to throw that stuff on a spinning reel though.

Congrats! Great story as well.

Another vote for Trilene XL (if you're using mono)

For me, its the initial feeling of the strike and the hook set. It never gets old.

I've had a great start to the season on crankbaits. I'm primarily throwing the XCalibur XCS 200 in Citrus Shad and Rayburn Red.

Im sure he'll rebound. The difference between being at the top and the middle of the pack in this sport, especially at the level he competes at, is very small. Sometimes a single break can really get you going. Look at Ish this season and KVD at the beginning of last season.

Rage Lobster in Falcon or Big Tex

5 lbs 11 ounces - 3/8 ounce spinnerbait

I am so happy with the way the Lakers season ended. I would love for Phil to end his career on that note.