Preytorien

Shimano is all I use, even for rods. They make great stuff. I have Chronarchs and Curados for casting, Sustains and Saharas for spinning. Love them all.

I'm mostly limited to bank fishing, so long casts are a big objective of mine. I tailor rods, reels, line, and lures to gear that enables me to make longer casts than ever. However, I agree that at a certain point I get a bit edgy since that long line diminishes my hookset ability and also gives the fish more time and chances to shake my lure. Sure, applying proper techniques mitigates some of that, but you have "those times" when it all comes apart. That said, has anyone ever done a test to see how much stretch certain lines have per foot, or ten feet? Ex: "X-Brand line stretches 6.2 inches per 10 feet" -- that might be an exaggerated example, but I don't recall ever seeing that kind of test. As I usually use almost exclusively braid I don't have much line stretch problem, but for my close-quarters-combat using small poppers, Whopper Ploppers, and flukes, I'm seeing some situations that I like using mono, the stretch actually sees some increase in better hooksets (gives the fish a split second more time to take the bait) and better landing ratios (the stretch keeps the fish on-hook better).

Current's tricky when it comes to baits to throw. Let us know where you are and what the estimated streamflow rate is (if possible) and I can make some better suggestions. Streamflow data can be found if you search USGS Streamflow Data

Like Tom said I've generally (and usually from circumstance) followed the "learn 1 bait per year" process. I don't know if it's a proven thing, but it seems like each year my fish want something different than the year before. They're not pressured lakes per-se, but they seem to condition to some lures. This year has been the year of the tried and true inline spinner. I've caught all my yearly bests on it and many in between. Most days it's a situation of why I bothered to bring a tackle bag at all. I think it's valuable to have that scenario. It's taught me to really use and learn the different lures, their techniques, and applications more thoroughly. It's even gotten me out of the box on them. I used to hate crankbaits, but a couple years ago I was constantly killing it on shallow cranks. You bet I learned how to use em' then. I realized a couple years ago that I probably switch lures too much, and even more so how to slow the switch down once I found a good pattern. If it's for the sake of my time, which it sounds like you are too, I would probably stick with things I know how to use and have mostly mastered. Focus on finding the fish, then pull out something you're confident with. The fish will tell you soon enough if they want it that day.

These are all great ideas, but my first inclination is that mentioned above, if you can wade it, in any way (even if it's near the shore), that'll only help your chances. I was in a similar situation, to the point that I considered my local river as a waste of time. Then I got a pair of waders and instantly saw it in a new light. The fishing is now my favorite. Talk to other folks, kayakers, boaters, etc. and see if the water's shallow enough in stretches to wade.

I had a new gen Crucial rod that I loved, but had a reel seat I couldn't get used to. The rod itself was incredible, but man only a few hours fishing had my hands feeling like writers cramp. I switched over to the Zodias line, which was what I had for casting rods, and the problem immediately went away. The reel seat on those rods are great.

I believe I subscribe to this exactly. I find my hardest time of year to catch (other than ice out) is when the bluegill are on their beds. The bass have no trouble finding them or finding small fry to eat, thus my lures and presentations are pretty much ignored a good portion of the time. You can set your clocks though, when bluegills are off their beds and spawn is wrapping up, my catch rates start climbing again. Back in 2012 we had an exceptionally dry summer and small bluegill and fry died during spawn and the waters significantly receded. I had some of my best catch rates that year since, as you pointed out, there was a bit of a famine. I absolutely killed it on almost every body of water with a Kelly's Pier Boy Special in grape color.

Wholeheartedly agree. Proof is in the pudding. On a day you're not catching fish it's not because your lure wasn't attractive, or your rig wasn't functional/sensitive......it's because you were flinging it all around in the wrong places. Happens to me allllllllllll the time ?

And I'm just sittin' over here wishing someone would make a rod that prevents my braid from slightly wrapping itself over the tip ?

You know I used to be of the school of thinking that said you had to use large baits for large fish, but this year my top 5 have all come from a #2 gold bladed Vibrax spinner, last year my top 5 came from either a Ned Rig or a 90 size Whopper Plopper......go figure. I think the key is to put time in on the water, be smart about your locations you target and eventually the weight will show itself

Megabass Vision jerkbaits Still have yet to catch something with them ?

I know its not the 72, but I have the 6'10" and it's an incredible rod. For your applications, which are ones I use also, it'll work great. I don't think you'll regret it.

I've heard if you use MegaStrike to brush your teeth 10lb-ers will jump out of the water to kiss you smack on the mouth

I have an Exage spinning rod I bought to build a setup for my wife. It looks good and seems to perform well. I'm not great at saying one rod is more sensitive than another, but it's sensitive in any case. Using senkos and Ned Rigs we can definitely feel the bite, and feeling rocks is no problem either. If they have them on closeout you could certainly do worse.

I had issues with the same until I started using braid with a leader. Even in the very rare occasion I switch to a spool with fluoro on it I have to really be careful since the line has so much memory. Might try the braid + leader option if you aren't already

I've had almost all Shimano since I started fishing - Crucials, Cumara, Sellus, and Clarus - they've all since been replaced by the Zodias rods.....yes, they're that good. I love them for every situation except I don't have anything in UL.

Had orange Boca's in my Chronarch MGL - had good casting distance but couldn't handle the noise. Took em' out and reinserted the originals. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, they'll continue to stay in my parts box

Their bladed jig is one of the best I've used - definitely a recommend from me

Been out a few times the past couple of weeks with the slightly warmer temps and sun. Still not doing any good in my waters, mainly neighborhood ponds. I've switched back and forth between NedRigs and loud baits (muddy water) and still nothing takes. Ready for some warmer water and some pre-spawn activity. Any ideas to get things moving for my current water conditions?

I've given more than my share of lures out. I did some testing work with LTB for a while and have a lot of tackle that I enjoy giving to the neighborhood kids. I have the typical pegboard FULL of tackle that I rarely or ever will use, I just let them take a couple things off each time to try and if they don't like it they can pass it on to someone else. One thing I like to think about is that when fishing with buddies, especially ones that might be going through some life-stuff, the non-fishing conversations are the most important, and if I can give them an ear when they just need to fish and get stuff off their chest, it's worth it to me. Also had a church mens outing where one particular younger kid took a big interest in fishing, more than the other young men, so I've taken him under my wing, fishing-wise, and stocked him up. His parents are grateful as neither of them have any fishing experience, yet that's all he talks about. Sure glad I can help that young man. I love passing on knowledge

Neighborhood ponds are man-made, and are usually notorious for being a shallow, structureless, featureless bowl. In those I've fished there are rarely any features to cast to, and aside from maybe a fountain, has very little current flow. In these cases there's not much you can do in terms of finding out if it has any structure because you might be searching for something that doesn't exist. I have seen some ponds that have humps in the very middle as that's where the excavator sat as it went in a circle digging out the pond. Add to that if the pond is controlled by an HOA, they usually work their darndest to eliminate aquatic vegetation as it's not aesthetically pleasing, thus limiting even further what we can visibly cast to. The only forms of structure, if you want to call it that, could be the inlets the pond has. Also look for drainage culverts that run into the pond and target them heavily just after rain showers. That leads to the catch-all concept of just trying lures until you find what works for that body of water. While you're in AL, up here in IN I find that those types of ponds usually produce decent results with finesse soft plastics (Senkos, Ned Rigs) and finesse blades (small spinners and spinnerbaits), and can do pretty well on warm summer nights with topwaters (Jitterbugs, Whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits). But as for your OP, there's not much to actually find in them most times. Your technique will usually just consist of casting from the banks until you find places that hold fish. I've used the SonarPhone castable bobber before, but you're only looking at a short distance to cast these things, which usually end up confirming the fact that the ponds are featureless anyways.

First ever outing and experience with a casting reel... Had it spooled up with 30lb mono and for some reason decided to use one of those giant DareDevil spoons (red and white one) that was about 1.5oz... Knew nothing about backlashing and how to properly adjust the reel (this was years ago before I knew to do some research before buying something)... Made my first cast off the bank of some good looking water... INSTANTLY backlashed and with the weight of that giant spoon on the end it ripped the whole rig out of my hands and into 6ft of water a couple yards off shore... Had to jump in and get her back... Meanwhile my aged, master fisherman grandpa was 30ft or so down the bank rolling on the ground laughing his backside off ?

Used it for a short time on a spinning reel as my river-wading-smallie line. It's diameter is crazy thin, which is good until you get a good hit and rock out an overly powerful hookset......I broke on the hookset 4 times. Just popped it like nothing. So I had to switch to a reelset. Went home, ordered the 15lb - found the diameter difference was barely noticeable and never had another hookset break. Might be worth it to up the strength a notch, especially on a casting reel.

As LionHeart says I cinch mine very very tight. Sometimes I'll even drip a single drop of superglue on a piece of cardboard and then roll the knot in it a couple times to give it just a bit more hold. I have yet to break off at the joint

A buddy of mine tried it for about a week. Found out it's not quite as simple as he'd anticipated I think he's now got a couple big magnets laying around. Biggest problem was that he didn't have a boat, so his biggest obstacle was the device itself and having to throw it from the bank. I don't care who you are, throwing a 5-10lb magnet attached to a rope from the bank is tough and it's not going far. The WR Shot put distance is about 70 feet