blckshirt98

Also take into account the humidity of where you're located. I've seen some weird things happen to wooden crankbaits/swimbaits on various forums if left in high humidity for too long.

I wear prescription glasses/sunglasses and haven't found a buff/face mask that doesn't cause my glasses to fog up. I put the buff over my head/ears but pull it down just below my lower lip and use sunscreen on my face and wear a boonie hat with a 360 degree full brim.

My go-to colors are always either morning dawn or any variation of green with gold flake.

Phenix for me, if I could only have one brand of rod it would be Phenix.

Looking for a little peace of mind here because I hooked onto something big last night that broke me off in some rocks before I had a chance to see what it was. I was dropshotting at a reservoir where the only thing that could take drag would be a carp or a donkey-sized LMB - my question is this - do donkey-sized LMB go on runs where they'll rip line? I've hooked onto and landed carp twice before that behaved like this, and this fish did it 3-4 times, and I'm trying to sleep at night knowing it's not normal DD LMB behavior and I just lost what would have easily been a PB!

Nice video! BTW I didn't realize you were gonna park your van in a spot and leave it there the whole time so you'd have to make that long walk! Should be able to park it closer to the water if you drive over to the boat launches next time!

Once you reach a certain depth there's not enough light penetration for color to matter. Size/movement that hit the lateral line of the fish are much more important.

Fluoro is very prone to line burn, I used to get breaks at the hook using a palomar knot myself with InvizX 8#, have since switched to 15# InvizX fluoro and I really don't have that problem anymore unless I get lazy about re-tying. If you want to keep the same 8# line maybe look into a different kind of fluoro like FC Sniper or Tatsu.

My favorite dedicated dropshot rods are 7' or under, ML or M, Extra Fast - Shimano has had a rod in most of their lines that fit those specs (Cumara 6'8" MXF is my all-time favorite), Phenix has a few as well though not XF.

Spro Power Swivels 100%; for fluoro Sunline FC Sniper or Seaguar Tatsu are the gold standards.

Did they arrive and how are they working out?

Crazy weights at Lake Fork anyone able to ID these swimbaits? I think this is Zaldain!

Sweet, I was looking forward to your report! New Melones is heavy on spotted bass, if you think it's a spot, it's probably a spot, the fish in your picture definitely looks like a spot. Glad you had a good time, looking forward to your next trip!

PowerPro and Sufix 832 is what I like to use, especially since they're both easy to find and usually on sale. I tried PowerPro Super 8 Slick and it didn't last one season before I took it all off because the wind knots with Super 8 are infuriating.

Use 2# test, going from 4# to 2# makes a big difference. Have two identical setups except the line - the 2# line will get bit more. If you set your drag correctly you'll have more than enough stretch on the line to land anything.

+1 to Texas Tackle

The pros try their best to keep the fish from jumping because they know it's high risk. Jumping bass are a spectacle to see and it's always the moment captured in art/photographs of bass, but from a "get em in the boat" perspective jumping bass or not a good thing. Try to fight the fish to keep it from jumping, but if they do jump and the fish wins just give it a gg and tip of the cap.

Phenix anything, but M1 and Feather for me.

Spro Power Swivels are the best and I use them without shame!

I can get some sense of weight by the fight but there are always some small but thick muscular fish that feel like they're going to be picture worthy only to be disappointed once you hold it in your hand. On a side note foul hooked fish feel 3x heavier than they actually are, hate it when you think you have a donkey on only to find it hooked all funky.

FYI, Mike's Pizza in Angel's Camp - pricey but amazing pizza.

Phenix Elixir 802-1X (telescopic) - 8' UL that works great for bass.

Shimano Sedona has always been my bang for the buck spinning reel recommendation.

Sweet! Monday looks like it's gonna be a little warm but Tuesday and Wednesday look perfect...tell us how it goes!

Not trying to beat a dead horse but with hook bonnets you could probably toss all your crankbaits into a Plano with a single open compartment.