SWVABass

Not really a fishing device, but I have a spot connect. It has helped me hunting a few times, allows me to send a customized check in or need help message and sos if something is really bad. They have a track feature which I don’t use. My family gets accurate gps lat&longs so they can view it on a map like google has. This little device provides them and me piece of mind. they also now make a sat phone with most of those same features. So if you fish off the grid I would recommend looking into one of these.

Another vote here for the roboworm rebarb here

Just wondering @WRB what is a front runner and when and why would you throw one?

I own an ltb spinning rod, the plastic one. Don’t remember the specifics on it right now, but I’ve thrown tubes, 4” trigged senkos, menace grubs, and a heavy dropshot when fishing near timber. I love it. Awesome sensitivity, plenty of backbone to deal with 4+ lb smallies. It is tip heavy though, and the uplocking reel seat wants to loosen when casting. All in all I wouldn’t get rid of it expecially since I got it for dirt cheap. Also this is not the newest version they just released last summer. Hope this helps.

There are some really experienced folks here @A-Jay @J Francho @WRB @Bluebasser86 Among so many others who have responded to my questions. That input has transferred to better fishing on my part. I have noticed on some specific post people didnt read read about what I was asking or just felt like they needed to throw something in, and on occasion were a little condescending. I was able to move past that. This is an excellent site and all the input just makes everyone better. Thanks again!!

I’m way south in NM, but I have started to fish it before around 60. Smallmouth were lighting it up. That was a pop-r, I’m still trying to build my confidence in throwing a buzzbait at around 57....

Missing a plopped disappointed! Ha jk nice bank line up looks like you have it all covered.

Team bombed it Tharp, Wheeler and lefeber all tanked. Rolled the dice on shin figured he might do ok since flw had been there and rolled with Rojas. Think next elite full field might roll with all west coast anglers

This article explains it all https://www.bassmaster.com/news/taking-closer-look-stats-2018

Wondering if it stays cold how guys like avinaand menedez do tomorrow. Crazy to see how well the west coast guys are doing litner, Hawk, Clausen, Rojas. That gives me hope ha.

Fishusa is currently running buy 4 packs of power worms get $10 rebate for those of you looking and $5 back when you buy 2 gulp products.

Like others said Shad shaped worm. Work great here for me

I still use a foam one because a concern I have is how long will they stay inflated? I haven’t been able to find any info on that. If someone knows I’d love to hear, ive wanted to get an inflatable when fish not while running though.

Guy Harvey has some cool artwork shirts, Simms has some neat shirts and some of the profit goes to watershead restoration. Rod/reel manufactures will also send you shirt and gear if you buy some of there product but it’s not free. Or just make multiple orders to tw you can get some of their shirts that way.

I would say look into the “bubbashot” it’s a beefed up idea of the drop shot. You throw it on bc gear, use bigger hooks, and baits. I have fished a ds in 2” of visibility and done ok, just have to be target specific. With the weeds and reduced vis you can try to throw it on braid and also try a fc leader. Go with what your comfortable with. Bait wise straight tail worm like a zoom trick worm, can try Shad shaped baits or paddle tail baits like a swing impact. Options are endless. I say throw it with confidence and you might be surprised. Good luck and let us hear how you do.

A quicker reel will allow you to pick up line quicker when a fish hits your crank coming at you, and you can always slow your retrieve if your fishing it to fast; hard to speed up a slow reel. As far as the difference between casting them I can’t speak to that but it sounds like the sv should fit the bill just fine.

Won’t allow me to like and say thanks, so thanks a ton man!

Does anyone happen to know where I could get the schematics for a bps reel? I thought I still had them but must have lost them in a move. Any help is greatly appreciated.

To me silent means it lacks a rattle. Can split rings still make noise yea, are they producing noise fish here possibly but the idea is they lack that noisy rattle. I haven’t had much success fishing those in clear water like they are recommended for. Also the recommend fishing them when fish are highly pressured. I do know at times the fish on my lake bite a silent crank better than a loud one.

Just joined the group??

Shad shaped worm from Yamamoto gulp minnow, reins bubble shaker, reapers to me they imitate leeches shape wise.

We are cycling back into a warming trend, should be close to 60 by the weekend but water temps are in the mid to high 40’s. I can’t seem to fish deep enough right now. Hopefully next month we really start to warm and the bite picks up. But can’t complain to much at least I can get a line wet outside right now.

I will say this about the Ike rod, I did have it break between the second and third guide drop the tip. I don’t know what it just did. Abu was great though I sent them 3 photos and they replaced it for $10. I really was impressed with their customer service.

One thing I found helpful for filing guide feet was a chainsaw file. They are round and helped if I need to file the bottom of the guide foot. As someone mentioned above take your time. My first rod took me a good month to build. Wrapping the guides started off as troublesome but as I got the hang of it became much easier. Good luck on the build

1. Yes I would consider suitable for what most people define as finesse. 2. Does not fit the idea of what most people think as finesse but can you finesse a 1 oz jig yes so depends on your definition. 3. Depends again on the technique you want to throw. Dropshot maybe not a ned rig rod you might want an even lower rating. 4. To me yes 5.this was covered well by @Fishinthefish 6. I have to light rods I fish one is the ike ds rod from abu it’s 6’10” and I have another rod that’s 7’6” for throwing spybaits.