fishballer06

I just started using a trailer hook on my buzzbaits this summer and I would say my hookup ration has almost doubled. I see no reason to ever take that trailer hook off my buzzbaits.

Shimano Curado I series, 6:1. Perfect all around reel. Retails for $179. As for rods around the $100 mark, Fenwick HMG, St. Croix, Premier.

I'm a big topwater guy. I throw a little bit of everything. In the past, I've always been big on Jitterbugs and poppers (Skitter Pop's mainly). This season, I've been having more luck on buzzbaits and torpedo's than anything. I've also started getting into frog fishing as well. The LH Lunker Frog's have the best action of any frog I've ever fished.

I see lots of wood in the middle and eastern side. You should hit those up once you're able.

30 pound might be a hair too thin. I always use 40 and 50 pound Suffix 832 and I never have any problems (I own 2 ci4's). Do you have mono backing? Is the spool properly filled? I have noticed this issue some whenever I started getting low on line. How many of the brakes do you have on inside? I normally run with 2 on, 2 off and the fine adjustment on 1.5 to 3. On a windy day with spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, I'll go 3 on, 1 off. Having the 3 on, 1 off setting will cut down your casting distance, but it will basically eliminate the backlashes on any of the new SVS reels (ci4, Curado I).

On a popper, very interesting! My father caught one once on a Jitterbug while we were night fishing in Canada once. Never thought I'd see one caught on a popper during the day time.

I'm not sure what kind of "slop" you were fishing, because you cannot bring a buzzbait through what I consider slop, but... A spinnerbait, chatterbait, or Rooster Tail could have been good for a weedy area. Also, throwing a Fluke wouldn't be a bad idea, and it could be a follow up to his missed hits on the buzzbait.

Like others have said, not sure what your budget is, but the Fenwick HMG for $99 and the St. Croix Premier Cranking Rods for $129 aren't bad rods. But again, I don't know how much you're looking to spend.

I'm a braid guy, and I throw around a lot of wood and heavy cover. So I'm going with Suffix 832, 40 or 50 pound.

I don't even want to count... I'm probably at around 10-12 casting rods, 8-10 casting reels. And probably 5-6 spinning rods and reels. Favorite casting - Shimano Chronarch ci4 on a 2014 Shimano Crucial 6'10" MH-F Favorite spinning - Shimano Saros 3000 on a Dobyns 6'9" ML-F

I normally test out all my "new lures" whenever I hit up the local ponds and rivers for bank fishing. Whenever I get out on the boat, that's whenever I use whats tried and true. Sometimes, the new lures make their way into the tried and true boxes.

I love Cavitron buzzbaits (Jimmy Houston on the packaging). I also love Lucky Craft Pointers (Skeet Reese on the packaging). I also use the Spro Little Johns (John Crews on the packaging). I don't use these products because of who endorses them, I use them because they work.

The ci4 will stand head and shoulders over those other two reels. If you can afford it, go for it.

I suppose it's getting bad whenever you have a box for: Squarebills Jerkbaits DT4-6's DT 10-16's Shad Raps and assorted crankbaits 1/4oz lipless cranks 1/2oz lipless cranks Musky/Striper lures Sinkers Hooks 2 Topwater boxes Spinnerbait box Buzzbait box Jig box And then a bag full of about 50 plastics...

Suffix 832 40 pound test for me. Add a fluro leader when needed.

I would just call your hotel (or whoever you're staying with) and ask them if you can ship your equipment there and pick it up once you arrive. It's safer, and less of a headache.

I"ve had luck on jerkbaits in these situations.

Our local sportsmans club has the same issue. It's about a 6 acre pond that is loaded with bass. It's very easy to catch 25+ fish in a few hours. However all the fish are 10-14" and are fairly slim. Need to keep a few so you can get some bigger fish in there and more forage fish.

This.

Love the hat. I'd be frogging if I was fishing that water!

Go with the ci4. Hands down.

Sahara, Symetre, and Saros are all great reels in the $80-140 range.

I've never caught one, but I'll agree that the fish turn off whenever there is one around.

Suffix 832 I've got a spool of Smackdown that I'm waiting to spool onto something. That could become my new favorite from what I've read.

In my opinion, the original has the best action, and the casting distance is unreal.