Montanaro

Id love to pick up a phenix with a daiwa sv105...but it seems so situational Im not sure if Id benefit much for the cost. I have a 6'7 steez MH with a tdz that casts weighless baits and small poppers pretty easily anyway. But to answer your question, Id throw small topwaters, small jerkbaits, small cranks, senkos and soft jerkbaits. Occasionally a finesse jig. There are other techniques but that is what Id use it for.

Thats just a part of patterning the bass. Gotta learn where they are and how many pitches till they bite. If they are setting up in the ends of laydowns, then a second pitch a few inches left or right may result in a fish. Or if they are set up on a grass line a second pitch close to your first may not be productive.

Kvd catches like 3 bass on one and now they are sold out on TW.... Id say 95% of those spinbaits will sit in their owners box after the first outing. I have them and use them but they are extremely situational and usually prefer a tiny swimjig or hairjig over them

Faircloth didnt produce and zaldain flopped first day. Live and learn. Always go safe picks.

Gambler usually has a variation in colors. The odd ones are usually the better producer! Makes no difference to the fish

If you has no issues last year But issues this year... Its likely a hook sharpness issue unless youve changed your tackle or have had an injury that changed your hookset.

You wont talk down dealer as much by financing outside. If You have the cash then spend it. Even if you talk them down the interest will still total msrp or greater...

Financially speaking... With cash in hand you can get a boat for its value or just under. Most people finance and thats what the dealers want. At 4% over 4 or 5 years at the boats value will net the dealership an additional few thousand dollars. So by buying at msrp with cash you WILL save money even though you havent haggled them down. And like others said you can probably get good deals on dealer parts especially after paying it all up front.

There is one brand synonymous with punching: Gambler. What model? Why not, I also like the bb cricket. Burner craw is good too.

A. Faircloth: .8 ownership is insane. This is one of the best smallmouth fisherman hands down. Dude just clicks with brown fish B. Feider: Can he repeat his success? Pretty good year so far. C. JPow: Great hx with smallies and is on the upswing from rough year. D. Card: Versatile with good hx with smallies but last time here found some nice largemouth. E. Zaldain: Deal of the bucket. Zaldain is excellent with smallies and is the safest bet in the most volatile bucket.

Im sorry, when you said wrong rod I thought you were referring to me and not people in general, assuming you were being defensive. Cheers

So Im recommending the wrong rod? Good to know that you have last say on all opinions, Ill be sure to come to you during xmas shopping. Your idea isnt bad, 2 rods for two techniques. But if you cant afford the reels then what is the point of 2 rods?

Yall realize that splitting the cost between 2 rods would require an additional reel purchase, right? Not exactly a helpful solution for someone on a budget. I cant recommend a rod. Just that I prefer super soft for cranks especially if I were to use braid and I like xfast for frogs. I have fished slopped with a modfast mh rod and it has benefits (shock absorption on strikes helps keep em pinned as they try to wrap you in lily pad stems before hookset). Buy an all purpose stick until you can afford more gear and youll have a better feel of what YOU prefer for those techniques.

I'd honestly cast parallel with the weed line and work my way out deeper with each cast. A jig may not be the best choice for this. A use a bladed jig or swim a drop shot. Let the fish tell you where they are at if there is no distinct edge.

I catch more fish on shorter casts. But in clear water the long cast is far more productive. Hitting the same target at medium to short will not result in a fish...but when sit back and make that accurate cast it is almost like you turn on a light switch. Sort of like a shotgun versus sniper rifle analogy

I had looked at the time and they were the same. Wouldn't be first time TW published incorrect info and changed it.

Short answer: yes Long answer: no

15lb g-soul braid on ml tatula. Big big difference between two metals. Tungsten shouldn't be only used for pitchin and punching. Love it on a swinging football head too.

If you arent using tungsten dropshot weights then you are missing opportunities to catch fish! I have been using tungsten for a year and yesterday ran out of a certain size so switched to my leads. Night and Day I can feel every blade of grass, every stick, every rock with tungsten. I feel nothing with lead. If you cant feel a rock or a stick you won't be able to suspend your lure in/on cover as effectively triggering strikes. If yall arent on the tungsten ds train you better hurry

Icast is usually disappointing yes. But you gotta realize that its not easy for companies to constantly come up with new lure designs or concepts every single year and stay profitable. Everyone is usually reinventing the wheel.

Sunlines cranking fc is exactly the same as their reaction fc....except colorless....are you kidding?! Their siglon pe.x8 looks interesting. Wonder how it differs from their bx/fx

Backlashes and tip wrap

Sunline cranking fc Not sure how it differs from reaction

Start no skirt...if you are catching a lot of dinks then add the skirt to draw bigger bites potentially.

Another thing to remember is to not cinch it down fast or tightly. The knot should be able to slide BACK up the line if tied properly.