WIGuide

Congrats on the new Costas! I bought a pair a few years ago and I'm really glad I did, I'm sure you will be too!

I pick my hook sized based on the thickness of the plastic I'm using. I carry quite a few hooks though since my plastic selection varies quite a bit. I've normally got 1/0 - 5/0 EWG's 1 - 2/0 Weedless Wacky hooks, 1- 2/0 Helix Dropshot or Spinshot hooks as well as some specialty hooks for tubes straight shanks for flippin' and belly weighted swimbait hooks 4/0 - 10/0. My most used hook is a 4/0 EWG

One thing to consider when switching to braid, especially when trying to get such a long cast on a technique that involves picking up slack, it's entirely possible when you do hook into a fish, the braid is going to dig into itself.

Call Motorguide, they should be able to tell you.

None for this guy either. I'd rather spend money on more fishing stuff instead.

I would definitely try adding more speed into the equation. You might have used a heavier jig, but did you try a smaller profile with more weight? Something like compact craw type bait with a heavier weight may have triggered them. It's really hard to say after the fact though. Good luck when you get another crack at them!

Congrats on that beast!

I have the first gen St. Croix Mojo "Frog & Slop" rod. It works very well for what it's labeled at. It's a 7'1" H/F and it has enough tip to cast a frog but a ton of backbone. I'm sure the newer generation is even better as it'll have the same backbone with slightly more tip. As far as what you're looking for, if it's just going to be a dedicated frog setup, no reason to spend huge money on them since bite detection is all visual anyway, your first priority is that it has the right power and action for the technique you're looking for.

I'd go with the Mojo. They are very versatile rods, and the newest generation got a big upgrade when they upgraded the blank. Being that you're looking at a jig and texas rig rod, the Mojo is going to give you more sensitivity over the Bass X due to the upgraded blank.

I organize mine so each general style of bait has a go-to box and all others in original packaging in a ziplock bag.

There's definitely a time and place to use them. I've had some for a while and tried them here and there, but used it more often this past fall. I still didn't do great on them, but I did have some success. I'd recommend giving them a shot.

I haven't seen that yet, but I'd be tempted to try it. I don't think it will be the right fit for your Keitech baits though since they are clam shelled and not bagged.

Having the ss on the front unit can be helpful. If I'm on a new body of water I always have it on just for the fact that you'll find stuff you weren't even looking for. There's a few lakes I fish on a regular basis where it still comes in handy since some of my waypoints are still from before I got a side scan unit and not all that accurate having ss up front it helps me find the actual piece of structure I want to fish. The other place it works really well for me is when fishing cribs. A lot of lakes around me have fish cribs put in and lots of those have a bunch in the same area. I do my best to mark all of them, but there's times I miss some and when I'm fishing through them, I'll leave my side scan on and I'll see those cribs. It takes a little getting used figuring out the angle and distance to cast to hit it, but after a little bit you'll get a feel for it and if it shows up on the screen you can hit it. I think you made the right choice by sticking with the same brand and networking them. Just being able to share a mapping card or IG along with waypoints is really nice. I had two units that didn't link up before and it never failed, you'd drop a waypoint on one and be looking for it the next time out and forget that it's not on that unit. I think you'll enjoy your setup.

I'd say I'm in between brand loyal/brand satisfied. As far as rods go I've really come to like what St. Croix offers. I love the way they feel as well as their build quality and their customer service is incredible. It also helps in my case that their factory is about an hour and a half from my front door. For some that might seem like a bit of a drive, but when you live where I do and it's literally an hour drive to get ANYWHERE, 1.5 isn't bad at all. It allows me to put a hand on any rod I'm interested in and see how it feels. That's not possible for me with many other rods as tackle shops around me don't have much if any of a selection. In the past that had left me ordering blind and hoping the power and action were what I was looking for and with every company having their own standards when it comes to both it can make ordering pretty tough. Sticking with one brand has allowed me to know what I'll be getting even if I do just pick it out of a catalog. As far as other companies I'm brand satisfied by are Trokar hooks, Berkley (especially line), and Eco Pro Tungsen. I'm not opposed to trying something new and often do, but I find myself coming back to them over and over again.

I caught my PB on a white 3/8oz Terminator Super Stainless Bleeding bait spinnerbait. It had double gold colorado blades

These two below were from our family fishing tournament this specific one was the "Red Cedar Rockbass Rumble" The losers from left to right: my aunt, me, and my mom. The winners below from left to right: my dad, my aunt, and my grandma I always try to get my aunt out a few times each summer the pic from below was from earlier this year and she had an absolute blast My girlfriend Mikaila on her last trip of the year Steve a close friend of mine I met my first year tournament fishing, it was his first year also and since then we've hit it off. He only has a few years of fishing left before his Parkinson advances to the point he won't be able to fish competitively, so I make sure I get in at least a tournament or two every year Travis is another one of my close friends, we've been friends since elementary school and we've always loved fishing and basketball, we're still doing both together close to 20 years later.

I really like the Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper and the Eco Pro Tungsten Beat Shad. They both have great action, even at very slow speeds and will last for multiple fish.

I think there will be a lot of those brown bass with hook marks in their faces. Judging by what you've said in the other posts about the deeper diving versions of jerkbaits, I'd be assuming you picked up a few of the Shadow Rap Deeps, but if you didn't I'd be sure to give those a try too. I've come to prefer those over the regular Shadow Rap. To the OP, some reasonably priced jerkbaits that I like are the Luck-e-strike STX, Smithwick Rogues, and then the Rapala Shadow Raps and Shadow Rap deep version.

Just curious, but if you keep having these issue why not just upgrade to a normal trailer rim? You can get ones of similar design to the hubcaps you bought for likely less than $100 per rim. If you were paying $100 a year for a plastic covers, upgrading rims would actually be cheaper in the long run and you wouldn't have these problems anymore.

They are a pretty good year round bait, and unless the water completely ices over there it wouldn't be too cold to throw one. Just like any bait though it's not going to be the right bait 100% of the time. Learn when and where to use them.

I pretty much keep mine until they don't do the job anymore. I've retired very few of my rods. If anything, they'll serve as backups, or as guest rods if I'm fishing with someone who doesn't have much to use.

I don't have any experience with that rod, but I would think it'd be a decent frog rod as long as you can cast one with it, otherwise I think it'd excel with an a rig, big bait (like 10xd), or punching. Either way with what you paid for it, you can make it work for something haha. Congrats on the find!

Personally I don't think you could go wrong with the a St. Croix Mojo Bass. Since they redesigned them, they're very nice rods for the price. For the techniques you're looking to use it for, I'd recommend a medium power fast action. Pick the length based on what you're comfortable with using.

I would think $7500 would be about what it's worth. I sold an 86 320V (16 footer) with 96 88spl for $4,200 a few years back. It was in good condition but the one you're looking at appears to be in even better condition. It looks to be in excellent condition, and the fact that you know the person makes it a safer purchase.

Congrats on the new to you boat! I hope it treats you well and you slay man bass out of it!