FishTank

I use the G Loomis 864C IMX Pro Deep Flex for deep cranks. It's the only rod I have used that doesn't wear my arm out when I'm throwing some big deep divers. It doesn't appear to have as much power as it does but it will launch a bait into another zip code. It also does a great job of pinning fish and getting them in the boat. I have 7'4'' St. Croix LTB Mod. and it's a great rod but the 864C Loomis does a better job for deep cranks.

Chartreuse Blue Back, Silver (something reflective), and a bright craw color. Usually one of these three will get bit but the action of the lure sometimes plays a bigger part than the color. Sound, or the lack thereof, can make a difference as well. Also, a white or bone colored crank will git bit in shallow dirty water for me.

Use their online chat feature and explain what happened. I have had good luck with getting issues like this resolved and they are usually in my favor.

That's a cool idea. I will have to try the ring. I agree the 4in gets better quality fish. You should try The Hook Up Tackle's exclusive color, Jelly Craw. I used them as a jig trailer the last time I was out. I was intending to jig fish most of the day and I forgot to bring my usual bag of trailers. The DoLive Craws were all I had. I caught several keepers with it. The hits were viscous too.

Light hooks, light line, light rods = light drag I adjust mine by hand and feel. I also adjust it on the fly based on the fish I am fighting.

Sunline Sniper Invizible.

I have two I use OSP Dolive Craw 3in and a Jackall Cover Craw 3in. Both bring them in but both rip pretty easy. I use an EWG head either a 1/16 or 1/8oz.

5in Senko Wacky rigged with 1/8oz Berkley Fusion wacky head in black with blue flake and Smoke Hologram Blue Silver Laminate.

I picked up a Megabass P5 Whippet and a Shimano Twin Power C2000S for this technique and so far it's been a blast. Dispite being a 6'6'' rod, it casts a long way and is also super sensitive. The Twin Power might as well be the previous Stella. It's just a pleasure to fish. I use this combo for all finesse swimbaits. There just seems to be a time and place where the fish hone in on the smaller swimbaits and minnows. I don't get caught up in the specific technique names but I use four different approaches with the correct bait and head.... a straight retrieve, a darting action, a rolling side to side action, and a bait that is meant to fall and be popped.

I can check off another one for the Senko. I'm not sayin a 5in Senko will catch everything in a lake but come on... really.

I use 5lb Sunline Sniper Invisible. No issues.

Many years ago when I bought my first baitcaster, I struggled using a right handed reel. I ended up returning my first two to BPS and was ready to give up but a Bass Pro Shop old timer stepped in and gave me a left handed reel to try out. Problem solved. I have been using left handed reels ever since, even though I am right handed. I can now use both but prefer left handed reels. I like casting and setting the hook with my right strong hand.

I have the Calcutta Conquest 31HG. I use it for jerkbaits (1/4oz to 1/2oz) and square bills. I have it on a Megabass P5 Z-Crank. Like any Conquest it's powerhouse but in a really small package, think the 50 size of old.

I would get the Steez AII. I have two as well. Great reel. One for soft plastic and the other is crankbaits. At the JDM price, you can't go wrong but the Zillion is probably the better value.

The stuff from Lucas works for me. I wasn't a big fan of the reel oil but the cleaner is good.

The rule of thumb I was told is 5 years unless there is mold, broken hardware or a tear in the fabric, then it should be replaced sooner. Also, the foam should not be brick hard. Squeeze a new one and compare it to the old.

The Bantam would be my choice. I would also pass on the co-poly. Not a fan of it for crankbaits.

Stopped by a local shop today and was surprised they had some stuff from Evergreen. I can't believe I bought a rat. I also picked up a new knife to use on the kayak. It's a Kershaw Auto cleaver. I found a really good deal on it. It's probably the highest end knife I own. Once I held it in hand, it just felt right.

A big ribbon tail worm is one of my favorite baits this time of year but it can be tough. All fish species seem to hone in on small baits. It is not uncommon for big blue gill and crappie to nail those big baits because of the tail, especially in stained water. My fishing buddy always has a Berkley Power Worm tied on in various sizes. He misses fish constantly this time of year. I have seen it season after season and he will not switch up. When this starts for me, I go to a small crankbait or a wacky rigged senko.

For me, it's the rod. It's part of the equation that communicates the most with you.

@MiceNReets I have been using Sunline Invisible for a couple of seasons now and it has become my go to fluorocarbon line. It is some how different from Sniper and Shooter. Regular Sniper seems softer and Shooter is harder depending on which pound test you use. Invisible seems more durable and longer lasting but still casts easily. I have caught several 5lb+ largemouth on 5lb line with a BFS setup and I have also caught a 25lb+ catfish on 10lb. This line continues to hold up well after each catch. The odd one from Sunline is Sniper BMS. It too is different from the everything else. It has a sight marking system that lets a portion of the line shine out of water and its really bright with polarized sunglasses. Under water, it's pretty much invisible. It's slightly stiffer to me and a little less durable.

I fish a lake that is like this. Grass grows in the same area as the lily pads in early spring. As the temps rise, the lily pads take over. When they start to block out the sun, the grass dies. This leads to the fish having dead grass, warm water, and possibly lower oxygen levels from the decaying grass. All of that causes them to vacate the area. They sometimes can be found on the edges but otherwise they don't go near it. I also have some arthritis in my hands and forearms. I find a frog to be easy to cast but hard to work. I have better luck with heavy jigs on braided line but you do need the right rod and reel to make life easier on the hands.

I have owned several of both over the years and both have been great, with a slight edge going to Shimano. I have reels from Shimano that are pushing 20 years old. I can't say that about any Daiwa I have owned but it probably comes down to how well they are maintained over the years. For me, as a general rule of thumb, if it's made in Japan, then the quality is better. This not always the case but it has served me well so far.

I have used CXX in the past and it started out OK but after awhile it became a nightmare. In the Mono realm, I like two discontinued lines, Sunline Machine Gun Cast and Deifer Amarillo. Both lines feel a little like co-poly but have none of bad characteristics. Both cast well, hold up well, and are somewhat sensitive compared to regular mono.

Cool but not for me.