Hogsticker

Another tool on the belt is always a good thing imo. I had to force myself to stick with fluor for some techniques. Pita but I knew the benefits and rewards would be worth it.

What about it? I've used YZ, ST, Gamma and McCoy. I bet if I handed you the same 4 set ups with these 4 different lines all in the same pound test - You and many others wouldn't know which is which. Just sayin

Nice reel Home Skillet. Even nicer slab!!

I'm sorry, what was your question? Best Co poly?? All the lines mentioned above are good. . . . And very similar. Nothing really sets one apart from another. So best is very subjective

I can think of a few techniques I've ventured away from braid with, but a drop shot ain't one of them. While I think it's a good thing to be versatile, step outside your box, and have the right tool for the job, braid and a fluoro leader is the only way to drop shot imo. Straight fluoro sounds like a nightmare on a spinning reel. I don't care what anyone says! Quality fluor on a quality casting reel I'm good with.

Moving baits, deep water, moving water, I'm fine with straight braid and feel it makes no difference. I'm with you though. Slow finesse plastics in calm clear water, no thanks. Light fluoro for me. I fished one hole in a river (smallmouth) most every morning last summer for 2 hours a pop using JUST finesse plastics. One day I'd use straight 10 lb braid, the next 6 lb fluoro. I'd alternate every day. The fluoro out fished the braid. Maybe it means nothing, maybe it means something, but I'm not gonna fix what isn't broken. This section of the river gets a fair amount of pressure so who knows. Most anything else I say fish what you are confident with.

Close bail.....All these spinning reel fanatics. There is no wrong way to fish a Senko. Let the fish tell you how they want it.

A light action rod ain't gonna cut it. I'd suggest a medium power rod with a softish tip if you're using an exposed hook. A light action rod with a finesse hook is a recipe for loosing fish with this technique. I like this head for 3-4 inch paddle tails. http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Ultrahead_Inshore_Head_4pk/descpage-OUIH.html

Why use a mono for bottom contact? Why use a fluorocarbon for top water? I'll tell you why. Because you don't have to. If I had to use one line for everything it would be braid I guess. But it wouldn't be power pro.

Not so much a loyalty thing as it is a preference thing. I just prefer Daiwas braking system and the SV technology is the icing on the cake for me. Don't have to open any side plates, maybe drop one in the drink, just adjust with your thumb. The Zillion, Alphas, Tdz and T3 platforms fit my hand so well. Countless spool options for all these platforms too. I don't care much for Shimanos new braking system. When it was old vbs I had both, but now it's all Daiwa. I don't think anyone can deny these two giants are at the top. Everything else is pretty much a Doyo reel with different dressing.

Sounds like the folks at your local bps need some education. Shooter is a great line. One of the best if you're looking for a stiff, low stretch, sensitive fluorocarbon. If whoever spooled 25 lb test on your spinning reel, they were lost from the beginning. To answer your question, fluoro can be great. Sniper makes a great all around line. Fluoro also shines where slack line sensitivity is paramount.

Here is one example that should help answer your question, why dump 300 on a reel Here is another answer to your question. Point being, most who say why would you spend 300 on a reel have never used a 300 dollar reel. I'll spend the money if the reel will get me where I want to be and allow me to do what I want to do. A rod assists in detection. At a certain point the difference is so minimal the juice simply isn't worth the squeeze.

Man this question seems to come up a lot in different formats. If any of the original posters are hoping to get a solid one trick pony answer it ain't gonna happen. He didn't say a specific pound test, just type and brand. I guess you guys using 15 lb red label are really onto something. Gonna have to get a spool and try chucking a 2.5 ounce swimbait with it. Then maybe I'll turn around and throw a weightless tube. There is no one line to do it all.

Right on

And then came the 16 Metanium.....

Couldn't agree more. Invizx has less memory than Tatsu. It's cheaper and has more stretch than most monos. Tatsu is complete overkill for cranking, and if you're going to spend that much get original Defier. It's the most trouble free line ever made, plus you get twice the amount for a few bucks less.

Original Sunline Defier is the absolute best. Zero downfalls in my book.

Primetime - How durable are those Dart Hogs? I've had them in my cart several times but never pulled the trigger. Kinda pricey. I've been using the Keitech crazy flapper on a light ball head and I love the action on the fall.

Primetime - I have a ton of 2/0, 1/16 Oz Owner Ultra ball heads I use for other finesse plastic work. These might be a good choice indeed. I'll take a look at those shagnasty or whatever they're called hooks for weightless work. Never shopped on overstock but I'll take a looksy. Thanks for the info, and you're right - it's a good time of year to to give this a whirl.

That's easy. Build or have built. No guessing needed. Right tool for the job every time. Take care of your gear and pay attention.

That's kinda what I thought but it looks better in your pics than it does on the Web site. I have that trim ring on several builds in various colors. I was kinda hoping the rubber cap had some kind of cool insignia inside it. Thx

This! 500 bucks is a good budget. If not custom I'd get a Kistler Helium 3 and a Shimano Rarenium ci4 plus. A spool of Tatsu or Sniper and your set.

Thanks for the ideas. I didn't think you could find the standard version anymore. I'm fixated on the idea of down sizing the fat version till I get the sink rate dialed in perfect. I'm really hoping someone can point me in the right direction for the hook I'm after.

I was wanting to fish it with an exposed hook.