bjangler

Hey all, I've been searching the forums and things for related issues but can't seem to find any. My 5+ year old Browning Midas 7:1:1 ratio bait caster has begun making noise and is now really unusable and after dissembling, the crankshaft and the connected c-clip and gear parts are loose. Any tips on tightening these up?

I use braid on all 3 of my setups and love it (20# PowerPro). Not at a point financially to have a million setups and different things so they are all multi-purpose.

A bait caster is much better for the job, especially when using hollow body frogs. Although a heavy action rod is recommended, I do get by with a 7' Med Heavy rod since I only have 3 setups (I have 20# PowerPro). Definitely bend the hooks up, or more parallel with the frog body, it'll give you a little more leeway. Also, from my experience, the Booyah Pad Crasher is the frog with the best hookup ratio. I have really started using them this year and at the beginning of the season my hookup ratios were abysmal, but the key I have found is in both the waiting and the hook set. You really have to be patient and zone in on the strike. I am now able to tell if the bite is a bass or a pickerel by the way the bass swallow and the pickerel hit from the side. Once you see that disturbance on top, try your best to wait and see the frog move (Perhaps even count out 1 Mississippi...2 Mississippi) and then I bring my rod from where I was walking it low to the water at my right hip and really use both hands as I make a hard set up above my right shoulder. Really engage your arms and core for a strong hook set after that initial wait. The past few times I've been out my hook up rates have been over 90% and I am ecstatic. This is such a fun way to fish and the strikes are amazing, try those tips and I hope it works for you, good luck! This is exactly what I practice

I have a small boat I use on my river but a kayak I use at my friends camp on a lake. Although my kayak is not made for fishing, I tend to just bear the pain of sitting in it for hours (get out on rocks or islands every so often) since it hurts my back since the seat is awful. Anyways, I can still take three rods with me, and find spinning rods are easiest to use while in a kayak. For more finesse things like dropshot/wacky worms, etc. I actually just got back from kayak fishing and did well tonight, I love the mobility and being able to get where boats cannot. Hook sets and landing fish will most likely be a challenge at first, I have gotten much better at them. Having a small net with you at all times can really make a difference and significantly cut down your loss ratio as you try to get it awkwardly while in your kayak. Here is my best in a kayak this year, and my runner-up personal best. Goodluck with your purchase!

Just picked them up today, really interested to try them tomorrow to see if they live up to the hype.

Agreed. Especially when I catch the occasional pickerel, that slime covering is important and I think that a lot of people just don't understand how much it can potentially hurt the fish.

Hello all, my name is Brendon and I just graduated with an environmental planning & policy degree, and have been a long time user of this site. I am from southern Maine and have been fishing my whole life. Over the past few years I have really started to get into bass fishing more seriously, picking up my first baitcaster, learning techniques, etc. I have really grown fond of every aspect of the sport and have gained so much knowledge from guys like Glenn and all of you here. I played baseball throughout life and through college and just had my baseball career ended yesterday at the New England Regional, which has closed that chapter of my life. Fishing has always gone hand in hand with baseball, and now I look optimistically towards the sport of fishing in this next chapter. I love to help people and have been doing so especially as I gain techniques and skills. I really love what you guys do here, and although there may not be that many Mainers on here, I know that I can help shed some light on the different techniques and challenges facing us up here in vastly different climate when compared to fishing in the south.