FryDog62

X2, close second is black/blue. Like the “Mops!”

Avid X, like most St. Croix Rods is a quality stick, but I wouldn’t go heavier than a Medium. Most/all MH and Heavy St. Croix Rods aren’t well balanced to me, quite heavy rods overall, especially in the tip. A lot of other manufacturers (i.e. Daiwa, Shimano, Phenix, Dobyns) have rods in the same price range as an AvidX but much lighter and better balanced IMO.

Chatterbait needs its own category

The long term weather forecast looks more like November than October right now... starting next week looks like pretty much 40’s for high temps here on out... that’s gotta change hopefully!!

After my share of wrist surgeries, I too am searching for the right pair of cold weather gloves. Haven’t bought them yet but tried on in the store the Cabelas Guidewear “Glomitts.” Like a Mitt but you can pull back to expose the fingers to tie knots, etc. Tried all kinds of gloves and they just aren’t working for me when it gets below 45. Worth trying the Glomitts anyway -

I fish in pike infested waters and yet I think a long leader can deter bites. I use a 2 1/4 inch leader Wayzata Bait makes. Most break offs happen very near the lure, so this works 90% of the time without being too visually obvious. You could always call and order some. I buy several bags of them per year. People I fish with always borrow them and for some reason I never get them back ?!?

I have thrown a big (7 inch) soft plastic lure I can’t remember the name of right now and a MB Grenade. Nothing on the plastic yet (fish are still in the coontail) and the Grenade worked great until a 2 foot snot rocket decided to take it with him - argh

Dragger, next would be Toadface for chatterbaits.

I just received a Zolo in the mail yesterday and fished it. Excellent rod build, light, sensitive. Much more so than Dobyns (in terms of weight/sensitivity). Most similar to Kistler Helium but a couple bucks less.

Yes, same video...

If you balk on the 853c or want to trade it for a brand new Orochi Perfect Pitch still with tags on it (plus cash) let me know. Was just looking for an 853c on sale and saw your post. Thx, -Fry

Was a good day - Got about 25 in 4-5 hours between 16-20 inches. Topwater early (before the wind kicked in), then all Chatterbaits (6-10 fow). Water temps in the 50’s helps, find the green coontail and stay there...

Here’s today’s water temp in the South metro...

Did you happen to check water temps? Thx

Very few will go to these lengths to make the FG fail-safe, but I have done all this on my Flippin’ rod with the exception of burning the end and it has held all year easily... https://***/outdoors/bass-fishing/Article/How-to-Tie-the-Super-FG-Knot-With-Seth-Feider-121515463/

I skip the whole mouth thing and use a Hook-Eze:

Yes could probably do that... However one of the reasons I’m thinking of switching to fluorocarbon for this type of fishing is sink rate. When dragging jigs across the bottom at greater depths (18-24 fow), it can be challenging to maintain bottom contact for any length of time while retrieving long distances horizontally. Am hoping the density of fluoro will help keep it down longer/easier. And thinner diameter may sink better than thick...

Not to confuse things further, but my other consideration is Sniper 14. Using for dragging hard-heads and Jointed Structure heads along the bottom. Long casts - has to be manageable, and abrasion resistant too.

I’ve noticed over the years that a lot of lines can change characteristics at certain pound test intervals (i.e. manageability, sink rate, stretch rate, knot strength, etc). Sometimes it’s subtle, other times very noticeable. Wondering if anyone has an opinion about the difference between Tatsu 12lb and 15lb?

Will fish it this weekend and should have more of an opinion then..

Just ordered a Dragger, Brawler would be good too, or the rod Tom had made custom. Alex at ALX is worth talking too...

Took an old neighbor of mine fishing this past week. Her son passed away this past year and she doesn’t have access to a boat now. She’s not a novice, absolutely nuts about fishing, but all she can do is fish from shore these days. Took her out on a nice day and taught her how to skip wacky worms under docks. We had a blast, nice to see her smiling!!

Tom if you have the phone # for ALX and a link to that article, I’d enjoy reading it. Thx

I have 3 baitcasting rods that I use interchangeably for Plastics. One in your price range is a 6’-10” Duckett Triad medium. Works as well as my more expensive rods. Triad does have a slightly longer handle which you might or might not prefer from a kayak position. The other rod I have that is ideal for more finesse applications - drop-shot, wacky, Ned is the Major Craft/Don Iovino 6’-10” MediumXF. Awesome and highly underrated rod! https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-MJRRODS.html?from=basres

Biggest culprit of the line stopping and snapping is casting too hard. Doing that will magnify underlying problems you have with line digging in, not being spooled tightly, a loop, etc. Nice easy casts, with fluid follow through will probably cast a lure as far, or nearly as far... without the risk of sudden stop/snap. I know easier said said than done, I still cast too hard from time to time as well. Was out with a Hall-of-Fame fisherman earlier this summer and watched him snap one off too. Made me feel a little better anyway