FryDog62

Yup, I either tie to my belt loop or reel handle. You hit a certain age whether you need bifocals or not that holding the line in your teeth becomes impractical/impossible!

The key is to lock in and listen for it to click into place early on in the alternating wraps. Otherwise it can pull loose. Watch this video - especially at the 3:20 mark: That being said, I have switched back to the Alberto knot - but with the 3 hitch finish. Faster, just as strong with the added hitch knots, and small thru the guides. Video

Hard to tell but yeah, he’s probably got it tuned pretty well for that technique. Who knows it might be a 1/8 oz or heavier lure too. If you notice he has the lure reeled up close to the tip and really loads the rod up, then down and finally outwards to generate quick momentum. Could be reeled up close to reduce line slap upon snap/release and less chance to lash. I’ve never tried to flip, or have felt the need to, on my BFS set ups. They roll cast so easily short distances and are accurate. I have done some of the backhand, side arm casts when at an angle to avoid branches or people behind me in my backswing... didn’t really have to adjust anything on the reel for that. But it’s less of a snap like the guy underhand flipping in the video. I think for that you’d need to do some fine tuning. For me personally, I don’t want to be fussing with adjustments constantly. If I were flipping for an extended period sure, but if I can roll cast without taking the time to adjust makes more sense to me. A 1/16 oz lure hits the water pretty softly anyway, thus lessening the need to flip anyway. I’ve noticed in some of the BFS videos they try to do some fancy techniques maybe just to show how skilled/versatile they can be. Some of it seems for stunt value and not always practical in the reel world. I think a well executed roll cast can be just as cool to watch as anything and way more practical IMO.

I usually use Sufix 832 braid 30 lb, with either Yo-zuri 12 lb or Abrazx 15 lb for a leader (they are similar diameter). If I were to frog exclusively I'd probably got to either 40 or 50 lb 832 braid w/o leader. I will say if not frogging or T-rigging in the heaviest of slop - a straight spool of just Abrazx 15 pound has been my preference.

I use the Perfect Pitch mostly for Dark Sleepers and Texas rigs. Have experimented with 30 lb braid and fluorocarbon. I could be happy using either but went with 15 lb Abrazx earlier this year and it seems like best option. If I used the rod to frog more I’d opt for braid but I have a dedicated frog rod already.

Biggest issue I had was tensile strength. I had break offs too but noticed it was mostly above the knot. Any snapping of the line broke, especially snags. If you do any “slack line hook sets” guaranteed breakage IMO. I think knot slippage gets blamed more often with Nanofil but may not always be the real underlying factor.

Before my current bass boat, was hard to beat the Yar Tiller. Definitely punched above it’s weight class...

My dad had a trI-hull years ago too... that’s why I still have square nuts and a squeaky voice today. ?

I can get fairly deep with a 1/2 ounce “Over-Spin.” Less resistance than the big bladed spinnerbait.

The Twistlock hook does help the durability of the Caffeine Shad some, I probably average 2-3 fish per shad, sometimes twice that. I think the TW reviews are mostly people that nose hook which hurts durability and swimming action. The air bubble in the tail is such a differentiator, and on that hook it will swim horizontally on its own, slow down then wiggle its tail, change directions and glide or death spiral like no other lure I've ever used. A few twitches in between really brings it to life. And in rivers you can cast towards shore and it will swim with the current horizontally with its own movement for several feet - smallmouth can't stand it.

A 5 inch Strike King Caffeine Shad on a 4/0 3/32 oz Twistlock Light hook is the pinnacle of fluke fishing.

Gobies have made it through the Great Lakes system all the way to the Eastern port of Duluth. Makes one wonder if they eventually flourish inland - Vermillion, Mille Lacs, etc we will have a new state record smallmouth in Minnesota. The downside is another invasive species to contend with, the upside would be a real state record scientifically weighed and measured.

1)Spring: jerkbait 2)Summer: Geecrack Bellows 3) Summer/Fall: Nerd rig

I will try to post more. A couple largies this past week on buzzbaits and tubes. Hope to get some smallies to come out and play soon too!

2 things that will cut your learning curve by 80%: •Use any”SV” reel from Daiwa i.e. Tatula, Alphas, Zillion, Steez... •Use the piece of tape just past casting distance that bluebasser recommended.

This helps, I'm pretty sure this is the same tube jig I had before but its been so long since I needed to order. Order is now on its way from TW... of course with a few other goodies some monkey threw in there!

I’m running low on my tube jig supply and need to re-order. Been awhile since I’ve ordered these, and can’t tell brand. What do people like for the smaller 2.5 inch tubes? Probably 1/8 oz maybe 3/16, I prefer the 60 degree line tie. Am guessing what I have been using is 3/0 but not sure...

Yes... https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Jeff_Kriet_-_Flying_Squirrel_7pk/descpage-BBBFSQR.html Or if you want to use a worm - there is the Squirrel straight tail worm, T-Mac worm, GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler or Rattler... I prefer those for shakey heads or Nekos myself and the Flying Squirrel all the way on C-rigs.

Munky Butt for lmb, Bone for smb ~

Yes, but that “Monkey” is never gone...

Contact local High School fishing programs - sell for under $1 per lure or a package price for everything. Many HS programs have an annual budget to spend on things like this as kids do't always have the scratch for basic stuff that gets used up throughout the season...

Buzzbait when it’s calm and around light/moderate cover... Plopper/Choppo when there is a little wind/chop and no grass.

Best frog rod to me is one with a MH-Fast tip and a Heavy backbone when you need a hoist. And one that will do double duty with other applications like swim jig, whopper ploppers, heavier buzzbaits and texas-rigs. Found all that in an ALX Toadface. Best frog rod I've used to walk the dog but just strong enough to winch the fish out of the slop. Marketed as a Medium Heavy+ Fast action. Its probably too long for your rod locker, but if its versatile, probably on the deck most of the time IMO.

This one was pretty orange... I think on a sunny day would have shown the color more. Could be tannick stain, eating rusty crayfish... or just getting ready for Halloween...

I find MH and Heavy St. Croix rods in that price range to be quite heavy and tip-weighted which I think would be cumbersome in a kayak. I have not fished the new Victory lineup and have heard they are intended to be a much needed improvement in that regard. I'd personally go Dobyns Champ or ALX Zolo for balance. I picked up an Enox in ALF's Labor Day sale for $256... wish I would have bought more, heckuva rod ?