cyclops2

I did. EXCEPET when the water is very clear or very slow or both at the same time. Then I use a 4# Mono leader of 5' long . I then also retrieve very fast and or switch to some meat. Only ways I can catch and keep or C & R

I never catch enough bass each day to need any protection. Quake & Shake is a O K way for a UNREAL amount of bass. I do not fish bass beds. So small numbers for me in the spring. I did once ALMOST lip a pike. Used all my bandages after he did a couple of attempted Death Rolls. I still use the 12" long pliers. Fish 1 Rich 0

Last 3 posts caught my eye about a hooking problem with corner of the mouth & getting a barb to back out easily. I had some terrible times backing out small treble barbs. That is when I switched to the crushed down routine of all trebles on lures. I I am pleased to say that with no barbs I am NOT getting hooked to the fish anymore. Hook stabs yes. But 1/4 of a second & the hook is out of my skin.

I am of....big stuff gets netted and on the deck. Then the long S S hospital forcipes to remove the barbless . Even if partly out of sight in the stomach folds.

When a big momma SMB hooks up on the single barbless tail hook or comes right off another bass will hit deeper in the mouth. I do not touch the motor controls at about 5 mph. You really get a wrist work out on & go into the backing on those # 6 or # 8 reels. You are still keeping track how much time / distance your area run has left. It can be a pucker hookup.

I do not think I ever change the drag setting on any reel after a spring day setup with a scale.

60 ' of line out and with your favorite trolling B C lure. Now on the fly rod. I love a Spin rod with a 1.5 " Rapala. And the flyrod with the same lure. Hits come quicker if BOTH lures are same distance back. Spin is in a rod holder . I am holding the fly rod. I am always wanting the fly rod hit first. I can always put the spin in a holder and go with the fly as a primary . L I G

Yellow or Safety Orange. Both show up great at night with a search light on them. A great spot at night is right next to the channel going to the marina 100' before the No Wake Buoy. Been told by the night crowd I am very visible to them.

ALWAYS have the motor in water so that those slots are covered with water. A prop removed. And in a Home Depot 5 gallon pail that covers the slots allows for a safe slow check out. Check the water temp every minute or so if getting too hot. 19 86 9.9 still has original pump.

The wind is my friend also. Slight choppy noise level forces them to use eyesight more. The bite is a full quick commitment.

That would make a GREAT reason to buy it. Capable of Sea Rations during a ....Abandon Ship Drill. ?

Can it carry 2 full subs & a 6 pack of drinks ? ?

Chop & Bank Really did a great job on what to consider. Cardiac & others who can stop breathing & pass out ? Auto & hope it works. ORRR A foamy which you will get used to. Dress in layers if you need a foam one. Works for me. I even tie a length of dock line to me & the boat If I leave the boat. Line is between bow cleat and is just short enough so my feet or hands NEVER get to the prop. All I can do & accept it. I do a lot of alone trips.

i have caught fish coming out of he same big weed from all directions. BUUT My weight is selected for down stream trolling. When I go up stream. The lure / bait is much higher above the bottom. I have never really counted fish in each direction. Actually I usually RACE upstream. Get in position & do the down stream drift. With & without trolling motor. When they are hungry they bite.

The reason the rod DOES NOT BREAK ? ALL of the pull is SPREAD OUT over the the ENTIRE BENT ROD LENGTH.................. NOT on a single spot of the rod. If a triangular WEDGE was placed at 1 point of the rod ? Now we are causing a point fracture failure. Loads of well known bass pros catch Tarpon in Florida on their bass setups. NOT 1 of them bends the rod in a U. They are pointing the rods almost straight at the fish during the early part of a long battle. The rod is to cushion sudden yanks of the fish and allow more time for the drag to start slipping. If you remember when a Tarpon jumps. Many people point the rod RIGHT AT the direction the line is at. The fish has no weight on the rod. The reel drag is taking all the force.

Reel Is rated for 22 pounds of drag. NO ONE lifts any fish out of the water by using the rod in a FULLY BENT .....U.....shape. Mouth lift it or lift it with the FISHING LINE. Most experienced anglers USE a rubber net that is large enough to do the job. Fish swims into the net. The person is trained enough to ONLY LIFT the fish STRAIGHT up..........With the net pole / handle straight up & down Nothing breaks. Fish is not thrashing around on end of a broken rod. As the fish size increases to a point that common sense says do not bend the rod any further the REEL SPOOL is taking the force. NOT the over bent rod.

None of mine yet. But if you are sure of this. Override me again. It does not bother me to be corrected.

I do no preventive maintenance on anything. I wire everything reliably. BUUUTTT ? Marina puts the boat into the springtime water. Acts like a dead battery. 1 quick groan. I drive over To see the boat now on a trailer. Young guy asks when were the battery cables installed ? 1986 I tell him. I tug each of the 4 ends. ALL 4 pull right off. I gave him $ 10 for being so honest. Told the owner & manager about the excellent service.

Lets remember a fact of hatchery trout. They DO attack the smallest & weakest other fish all the time. So there you go. Resident fish quickly learn that sound of splashing water is loaded with weaker fish..

With 15# and 8# You can increase the drag to 8 pounds very safely. Nothing will break . I have a small scale with a hook and a loop at each end. Have someone hold the scale with the line tied to the hook. Walk away until you are at the distance most fish bite at. NOT CRITICAL at all. Start pulling & adjusting the drag knob until you are ABOUT at 8 pounds. Plus or minus a 1 pound is close enough. As soon as you feel resistance or a fish taking? Crank fast & pull rod TIP backward hard enough....... so the DRAG SLIPS from being tight enough.............. Enjoy more positive hookups. ?

Both of my 62 year ? old Mitchell and a couple of Diawa front of the spool drags. have never needed anything done. I remove ALL tension before storing them all winter.

Yes But most posters have enough years to know the pre spawn gathering areas.

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Prespawn they eat almost anything. Anytime

I am perfect. I can not remember anything I was not perfect in.