gulfcaptain

Okay, I have now found this post worthy just because of that "Get Well Soon" picture with that dead tired raccoon......that's just funny right there.

I'd have to agree with the IPT on the reel to decide what reel I want. For instance, I have 2 reels, one 7:1, the other 6:6.1 both pick up 28" of line. Now I also have smaller reels (***'s) in the 8:1 ratio that pick up 31" per turn and then a EXO 7;3.1 that picks up the same amount. So after all that, look at the IPT and find something that picks up approx 29-34" IPT in the reel you like and go fishing.

If you don't mind Quantum, you can find a 7'4"MH or 7'10"MH KVD Tour Cranking rod for around $80. Some have free shipping, others don't. I have the 7'10" and just purchased the 7'4" for larger squarebills (8.0 size). But before that was also looking at the Phenix's as well.

Have a few places I fish that are low key. Almost always able to catch fish there as well. But they do shift, shut and shut off. Check your water temp. They may have shifted due to higher temps and lower oxygen levels. I know the fish are there but just have to find where they shifted and are relating as well as what will trigger them. Bucket fisherman always take some, but they aren't going to get them all. And you even said the smaller fish have moved as well. So odds are that probably isn't the issue.

I care that I actually wasted my time reading this post!!! Should have stopped at "Who Cares"

Sounds like the food chain might have moved if you are noticing both have relocated suddenly. Bass aren't going to stay where there isn't any forage to support them. Find the baitfish, more then likely you will find the bass somewhere close by. The larger ones just vacated the area first.

I have 2 of them made buy Pursuader Baits. When you retrieve them it gives them a slight side to side motion. Did a bit of customizing and clear coated some duck feathers on the bottom of one (other is a back up) to give it a more natural look.

Mend -It will do that to ANY plastic bait. It's ment to react with the plastic and then reform. It pretty much bonds them together by melting the plastic and then reforming. If you're Senko is ripped, apply the Mend-It to the rip, then push it together and set it down. I normally repair my baits after I get back home unless it's fishing a big swimbait. I normally add a couple coats of Mend-It repairing small areas at a time and then coating it after I have gotten most of the bad spots fixed.

Falcon Rod fisherman as well.

I've used them for Wacky rigging, but they also make great dropshot hooks as well since all you have to do is reel.

Well since it's a skip and pitch jig.....why not name it the "Hop Scotch jig".

I don't seal it. I'm not worried about it staying clean and pretty. It gets worn and dirty catching fish then so be it. If I want to clean it up a bit I use a bit of 200 grit paper to bring it back. But not a real big priority on my list.

Hey not sure if this will help, but did find on BPS looking under replacement handles that one user had a BBI and another listed a Quantum. So they may be interchangeable if you're looking at replacing the whole handle assembly. Might be worth looking up a Smoke handle on Ebay and if you can get it cheap try it out and see as long as it comes with the cap to lock the nut on. Just a thought.

I wouldn't know if the knobs or handles on my Smoke's, EXO's, or MG100 will fit on a Lew's reel as I'm not a Lew's person and don't fish with them. Some reel handles from different companies will interchange and fit, just not sure about a Lew's or Quantum. Leave a message with DVT on here and he may be able to answer your question.

So I'm gonna probably be the only one that recommends these, but I like the older Quantum Smoke 150's in their 5:3.1 as well as the EXO 100 in the same ratio. One just holds more line then the other but both perform great for me. I've picked up both off Ebay as well for great prices NIB. Both under $125

Yes I would replace it. I'd Keep an extra one on hand as well in the boat (vacum packed if possible to keep any moisture out). If you think your fuel line is bad here's a couple ways to check. First if you have extra hose you can spare, then cut a small piece off and split it to see. Also if you bend the fuel line and it shows cracking, then it needs to go.

I'm gonna have to try that around where I fish. You rig it with a regular EWG?

E bay gives me access to many places to shop tackle as well as deals sometimes 75% off retail. TW is always the old stand by. Acadamy, BTD, can't forget Siebert Outdoors on here. And then Amazon works also. Lots of options, just depends on how much time you want to invest in looking for tackle and deals.

and if he can one with more thrust as well which would let him turn down the motor hence using less power and less draw. Always better to have more then you need then not have enough when you need it. But I'm like you, no dog in that fight.

First, you can't fish his way. You're going to have to find fish he's passing or missing. May be a different angle on the weed line. It happens. Don't throw the same bait, throw a variation of something either bigger, or slighty smaller. I've fished behind someone throwing a chatterbait and a spinnerbait and while he was struggling I was killing it on a rat-l-trap. But fishing behind someone and out of the back of the boat will make you a better fisherman simply because you have to be and make you fish out of the box and comfort zone and become more successful with other presentations. Now if you start catching fish and he positions the boat to cut you off or mess up what you're doing then that's another story. I'll still fish tournaments from the back, but prefer to fish a team format where two people can work off each others strenghts and weaknesses. Don't let yourself loose the mental game or you're going to take yourself out of the tournament before you ever start.

Yeah, then it sounds like it was starving for fuel which would lead to your loss of power. If it was constant and missing then it could be the plugs. But I'd change the filter and test it if you can.

^^^^^^ Funny you said Daiwa for being quiet. I have two that make noise no matter what I try to do to them. Still function as they should but the squeak does get a little irriating after a bit so they have been retired to the box of extra reels.

Fuel Filter would be the first thing. When was the last time it was changed? Also did it loose power at low rpm's or just on the high end? If it's just at the high end odds are your engine isn't getting the fuel it requires and the fuel filter would be the first place I'd start.

You can do the old Paul Elias (think I spelled his last name wrong) method, cast out, and stick your rod in the water and kneel and reel. The extra rod in the water should get you the extra depth you want.

Depends on the size of the football jig. I tend to use the the Bass Patrol jigs in the 3/8 to1/2 oz size. Trailers for them I tend to go with the Trigger X 3" Flappin Craw which also gets used on the 3/8 oz Dirty Jigs. Also use the Net Bait Baby Paca Craws and Tiny Paca Craws. There is enough trailer there for action but still stays compact and suttle for the conditions I tend to fish.