Fisher-O-men

The drop shot bite is very different. Often it is like someone tapping your line with a pencil. Sometimes your line just jumps a little, so it is important to watch your line. Occasionally your line just starts moving sideways or gets slack. The fish do not often spit the DS bait, so when you feel something out of the ordinary, reel down and set with only a flick of the wrist. No need to break their jaw with those small hooks. Watch Aaron Martins on YouTube! King of Drop Shot!

Roboworm, 4.5" straight tail, Oxblood Red Flake. Especially good in clear water, but will catch fish anywhere! I would ditch the swivel hooks and just go with a #2 mosquito. If in weeds I use a very small EWG offset hook. Not sure the # size, but only about 3/4" long.

Got 1.5 inches in San Diego! That is close ot 10% of our yearly total. C'mon El Nino!!!

That is what I use. Nail weight, o-ring and weedless wacky hook. Last much longer than senkos. I like the old LPT firmula better than the Ferocity. I like the older "licorice" ones even better.

You can have cheap and reliable and easy to use, as well. I have used these for 3 years. I have tested them with known weights. MIght have to put on a larger hook or clip. http://www.ebay.com/itm/20g-40Kg-Pocket-Digital-Scale-Electronic-Hanging-Luggage-Balance-Weight-/171155983110?pt=US_Pocket_Digital_Scales&hash=item27d9b10b06

Why the EWG off-set hook? Why not a wide gap wacky hook?

You wil like it. I have three of them. Just make sure it is set for lbs and not kg or you will think it is crazy! I have tested mine on known weights and they work perfectly. If anyone is worried about the "Made in China" thing, your name-brand scales are probably made there as well.

Believe it or not, this is a good scale. You may have to put a bigger hook or clip on it. I have turned lots of guys on to this and they all love it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/20g-40Kg-Pocket-Digital-Scale-Electronic-Hanging-Luggage-Balance-Weight-/171155983110?pt=US_Pocket_Digital_Scales&hash=item27d9b10b06

Without the drag set pretty hard you will hear a short "zip" sound when you set the hook on braid. I hear it on my reel and those of the guys I fish with. It is probably no more that a few inches of line, and may help you not yank the frog from the fishes' mouth. I don't think you have a problem. When I use braid with a leader I purposely set my drag so as not to pop the leader on the hook set.

You did not ask about this but you might want to put a mono leader on that just so you can break it if you hang up. Either that or keep a piece of wood handy to wrap it around in order to pull and break it. Do not heave back on your rod or wrap that stuff around your hand!

Try a different rod! Just kidding. That is an old reel! Find a nice place on a shelf and retire it.

Unfortunately, the ones who really need this warning will not listen. I have had 8 cancers removed, most Basel Cell, and a few Squamous. I was 57 when this started. I am now 59. I asked my Doc how I could prevent this from continuing. He said, "nothing, the damage was done 30 years ago". Regardless, I do what many of you have done. Long sleeved shirts, hat with a drape in the back, and I try to fish facing away from the glare.

A couple things I can think of: 1. Do you always close the bail with you hand? 2. Do you watch your spool for loops?

Uni/uni is easier to tie but the braid will cut the leader. You must use a wrap-type knot that forms a chinese finger trap around the leader line. Improved albright and the alberto are almost the same. The Improved albright is easier to tie IMO because you use 10-13 wraps up the line and only 4-5 on the return. Of course wet before you cinch and you have a neat, very slim knot that will not cut your leader line. I personally would stay with the 10 lb leader. Anything smaller will break easily on the hook set, and anything larger inhibits the action of the bait. The no-stretch braid puts a lot of pressure on the leader on the hook set.

Sounds like it was an estate sale, either that or a divorce sale. Reminds me of the old "sell my Porche and send me the money" joke. I would put 15 pound braid on that with a 8-10lb fluoro leader.

Depends if you want your slow sink bait to fall faster or slower. Mono tends to float and Flouro sinks. What you do not want is braid.

San Diego is nice that time of year. Great guides there (here)! Outlandish license fees! If you like sight fishing you could get a DD with the right guide. (no, I'm not a guide)

Zman plastics do not play well with others!

When I bought mine a year ago the shipping was free. There were many good reviews of this rod, so I gave it a shot. Slow action so the small trebles do not tear out. I suggested it because I'm happy with mine.

H2O Express Ethos Composite Cranker! Academy Sports, $59, free shipping. Square bills and anything shallow and light, you will like it!

No kidding! Digi scales gave me a whole new perspective! I can still tell when young guys don't have one. Here is one that probably few will remember: Vibra Bat lures. Ordered a kit as a kid. They were supposed to catch so many fish that everyone would be super envious. 50 years ago! Never got a bite!

Somewhat like the "first cast curse".

This is a good opportunity to get a tip that is maybe better than new, although Crucials are pretty good. Make sure the new tip will handle braid.

I've got an Abu Garcia Soron STX that I really like. Good Discount on FFO. Smooth drag is the most important component of a spinning reel.

Are we talking Yo-yo?