Felix77

So I had a fun experience fishing last weekend in a tournament. 10 mph winds (20mph gusts) and up to 4 foot waves throughout most of the day. The primary pattern we ended up fishing was submerged weeds in 10-15 FOW. He used a drift sock to slow us down but we still ended up moving at a pretty fast clip. I ended up pitching/flipping a craw tried the drop shot and also tried a spinnerbait. Only could muster 2 fish. How would you guys had fished this. As a note I was in the back of the boat (co-angler) if that makes a difference. Thanks

IMO - In theory I agree with the comment that "5.5:1 for slow rolling, 6.5:1 for most soft plastics, 7.1:1 for burners and jigging because they pick up slack faster". However I concern myself more with Inches Per Turn than Gear Ratio. Especially if you mix brands. Example from my stuff ... Abu Silver Max - 6.4:1 Gear Ratio - 28 IPT Bass Pro Qualifier - 7.1:1 Gear Ratio - 29 IPT Abu Pro Max - 7.1:1 Gear Ratio - 31 IPT So from a line recovery perspective there is very little difference between the Silver Max and the Pro Qualifier. So decide on what technique you plan to use it for and then based on the IPT select the proper reel.

"My biggest question is what kind of hooks are light wire hooks?" Best represented in a picture ... With everything else being equal the difference between a light wire hook and a heavy wire hook is the thickness of the "wire" used to make the hook. It will vary by brand. Here's a pic of 3 hooks offered by VMC. Lightest to thickest. The suggestions above about what hook size etc. are spot on. IMHO - When judging for yourself just keep in mind that if you are finesse fishing the size of the hook (1/0 vs. 3/0 vs/ 4/0) correlates to what bait you are going to use. The thickness of the "wire" correlates to the technique Finesse = thinnest wire hook Punching Heavy cover = thickest wire hook. Hope this helps.

Wow ... just got a chance to open up a package of Siebert Outdoor Jigs. All look great, hooks are real sharp but WOW was I impressed with the Storm OOMOD Swim Jig. It looks amazing! I cannot wait to get that thing wet! http://www.siebertoutdoors.com/index.php/storm-series

I was actually flying from Dallas most of the afternoon yesterday. Dallas to Philly and then to New York. I found myself numerous times thinking of all those people, like me yesterday, who were heading home, vacation or work on those planes who never got a chance to say goodbye. I got choked up just thinking of my little girl waiting for me at home. I will never forget!

Love the spike it markers. Was fishing finesse swimbaits the other day and they were nipping the bait. I colored the tail with some chartreuse and BAM the fish started taking it aggressively.

Pour me a double uni!

I keep it simple. Smoke on clear. Amber any other time.

Flat Dawg. Caught my PB on it this year. 6 lb. +

If you want a DVD collection buy the Bass Pros series from Bass Pro Shops. I love this series! Very informative and they spend the time describing the technique. Next to this site its my go to place to study a technique.

I remember!

I have a 2 piece rod, reel some hooks and some key plastics for those emergency bassin' moments.

Bring out your Zebco, tiny hooks and some worms. Fun way to discover forage. You might even get into a bass. Extra fun on ultralight gear.

I will take a 25" monster on this lure anyday. So far the ones I catch have barely been keepers.

Lol ... When they are that small I have to take a pic. Cracks me up when this happens. My avitar shows the 2012 "Future Lunker". So far this is my 2013. LOL

... for a small bass. LOL Couldn't help it guys. These little ones amuse me. The bait is almost the same size. LMAO

Picked up a few Spinnerbaits to test out this weekend. I also tied on a swim jig with a swimming caffeine shad trailer. Bringing a few trailer alternatives to see if one "sticks". Wish me luck! Thanks to all again!

Hard to say ... when all else fails slow down. If you feel like you are fishing slowly then slow down some more.

I just posted the question on their Facebook page. Not guaranteed to get a response but worth trying. Could be waiting until the new fall series stuff kicks off.

I laughed so loud when I read this. Needed this ... perfect timing. WOW!

^ / \ / \ / \ || || || This! Nice summary.

Cool. Have fun!

IMO - I found that in time you become more in tune with your equipment. When I first started fishing I couldn't tell I was fishing bottom unless I had a 1/2oz weight. It was big/bulky enough for me to tell the difference. With time I was able to feel the bottom with lighter and lighter weight. Now I can fish a 1/8 - 3/16oz weight under the same conditions and feel the bottom with the same setup. An example setup is a 6'6" MH Spinning Rod, 10lb PowerPro braid. The spinning rod I bought was less than $100. FWIW I think that braid had a lot more to do with feeling the bottom than people give it credit for.

Here's my setup for jigs and Punching up to 3/4oz weights 7'MH Rapsody Rod ("The One") 20lb Seaguar AbrazX Fluoro 7:1 Abu Reel - Pro Max For Finesse Jigs up to 1/4 oz I go to spinning 6'6" MH Spinning 10lb PowerPro Braid 12lb Seaguar Invizx Leader.

Thanks ... Native Ultimates is one I have never heard of before. I have all winter to look so I will try and get out to these places and sit in them at the store to weed out some of them. If I can find demo days that would be ideal!