Steveo-1969

I would "Like" the above post TWICE if I could!

You'll have to pry my Strike King plastics from my cold dead fingers..........

I'm using 10# and 15# Seaguar Smackdown Flash Green and the 10# can be hard to see because it's so thin. But I still think it's more visible than "non" hi-vis line. I don't worry about fish seeing the line. I tie on a leader for abrasion resistance and to make breaking off on a snag easier.

What's the difference between the Cheburashka rig and a swinging jig-head?

Retail Loomis NRX MBR 842c - $525 Abu Garcia LTX - $380

Nope, though I use a uni to uni for braid to leader knots. Sometimes I cut my fingers on braid when I'm snagged and trying to get it out with the "bow and arrow" trick. Not often but it happens, especially with very thin braid. When I'm wearing sun gloves I don't cut myself (I like Fish Monkey gloves).

Welcome to Bass Resource. BEAR DOWN!!!!!!

My favorite trailer for a Strike King Bitsy Bug jig is a Baby Rage Craw shortened by 2 segments. Nice compact jig. I also like the Baby Rage Menace and Rage Ned Bug.

I'm assuming this was a largemouth bass? Aren't they catch and release only in MD from March 1 - June 15?

I try to wash my hands before going fishing. If I stop to get gas on the way to fish I always wash my hands real well at the gas station.

Don't use hooks. Problem solved.

I just send a message to you.

I had a custom rod built by @Delaware Valley Tackle to specifically fish a 3/16 ounce Strike King Bitsy Bug jig. He had me weigh the complete jig/trailer and I was surprised that with the (shortened) SK Baby Rage Craw the total weight was 3/8 ounce!

I haven't caught a bass yet this year. In years past I've caught some by now.

Slaunches! And your buddy's sweatshirt is pretty sweet too. BEAR DOWN!!!!!!

I grew up in Wisconsin and started fishing in the 80s and I didn't know (nor had I seen) anyone who fished with a baitcaster. Everyone used spinning rods! Stopped fishing for years and when I got back into it I found Bass Resource which got me wanting to try a baitcaster. In 2012 (at the age of 43) I bought an Abu Garcia Revo S. I read a bunch and watched videos a bunch on how to set it up and cast it. Spent a couple hours in the backyard practicing and then went fishing. I still remember how excited I was!! To this day I would rather have a casting rod in my hand.

What brand/model mono have you used? What brand/model fluoro have you used? What pound test? Are you using spinning or casting rods? I think we need more info before we can understand what you've experienced and make educated suggestions.

I've used several different brands of diamond file and they work great. The current one I use is the Bass Pro Shops Diamond Edge Hook File (with the blue handle), it costs less than $7. I sharpen hooks a lot and usually replace the file every year.

Happens every time I fish. Just last night I was fishing a finesse skirted jig in my local river, felt a thump and reeled down and set the hook... into a rock. Darn! Got it out, checked the hook and the line and continued fishing. Shortly after I felt another thump, reeled down and set the hook and my line got cut. Not snagged and broke, just cut. Hmmmm... Maybe there was a sharp rock or a nick in my line I didn't feel. Tied on a new jig and continued fishing. Felt another thump and set the hook. Rod doubled over and... nothing moved. Darn, another rock! Then my jig came flying out of the water and I saw a big musky roll in the water. First bite was a rock. Second bite was the musky and it bit me off. Third bite was the same musky, but it felt like a rock before it spit the jig out.

I need to fish regularly so I don't choke people. If I needed to catch regularly I'd be in prison. So the catching is not as important as the fishing itself, but I truly believe I'm going to get bit on every cast and that's what makes it fun. I've been skunked the last two fishing trips and I'm disappointed but not upset. I'll catch one on my next cast. Or maybe the cast after that.....

What? You're Zeke's grandfather? You have to save him from Darlene! She's CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, definitely not my experience with flash green Smackdown (or any other braid). I have now been using it for 3 months, 10# on one rod and 15# on the other rod. Each rod gets about 3 hours of fishing per week. That means 2 casts per minute for 3 hours per week. The line on both rods is faded to a lighter yellowish green. Not white, but definitely not flash green. But for the handling alone I will buy Smackdown again. I love the thin diameter and I've had ZERO wind knots with either rod.

^^ This. Well, except for the drinking part. Been sober since 2005... ?

I haven't caught a bass yet in 2020. I fish a river every weekend all year long (weather and water level permitting) but usually catch my last smallie of the year in October or November and don't catch one again until April or so. I've seen two caught by other people this year though. Sigh.....

That's what I was thinking! Mine are bunched up in a corner of my bedroom closet with the 3 combos I regularly use in the front to minimize the untangling when I need them.