Evan K

Hm, thanks for the info. That's too bad. I was really hoping to use braid, but it looks like I'd probably just better play it safe.

I recently purchased a Lucky Craft Carolina Rig rod, 7' 6" XF H, rated for 1/2 to 2 oz. lures. I'd like to throw some larger swimbaits with it, probably nothing bigger than a Mattlures gill and nothing heavier than the rod's 2 oz max rating. I've heard that for swimbaits you don't want to use braid because it pretty much can't absorb any shock and will break if something happens. I was curious if this applies to baits in the weight range I've specified as well. I can easily picture a big 6 oz. Hudd snapping of 65 lb. braid, but will 2 oz. and smaller lures do it as well? I ask because I'd also like to use the rig for carolina, frogs, etc., and braid would be much nicer than mono or copoly in those situations.

I recently passed the threshhold of owning more tackle than I can comfortable carry while bank fishing (which is my primary mode of fishing). Here's my system. I have a BPS Pro Qualifier backpack that holds 3600 size boxes. It holds 10 or more of these, so it's pretty capacious. Since my bag uses 3600 size that's the size boxes I use for everything except soft plastics. I have 3 3601 (extra thin) boxes for hooks, sinkers, and other terminal tackle. All my hard baits are kept by type in 3601 boxes- cranks, jerkbaits, chatterbaits, jigs, etc. I have one box with panfish and some bass finesse lures as well. During Tackle Warehouse's 25 days sale I picked up 3 Flambeau 4510 boxes in which I keep all my soft plastics (in their original bags), like filing cabinets. I have a box for worm-like baits, a box for craws/trailers/bugs, and a box for swimbaits/lizards. I am really pleased with these. When I'm ready to go fishing, I go through and pull out the trays I think I'll use for the day's fishing. My backpack holds enough that I can get a pretty comprehensive selection with me for the day. Since everything's already in 3600 size trays I can just grab the tray and go. I'll grab whatever soft plastics I want and put them in a gallon ziploc bag. I've been really pleased with this system so far.

I agree- I used to be really into shooting and guns as well, but it's just getting too expensive. With ammo and reloading supplies as high as they are any bit of shooting or hunting winds up being expensive. I've switched over mostly to fishing too, and my reloading press is languishing on my workbench as well.

Patrick McManus. Maybe not famous for fishing, but how would that trip NOT be enjoyable?

That's pretty neat!

Interesting, how do you manage to throw a 78 size with a MH setup? I don't think I could more than 10 feet.

It seemed like for me getting a better quality bait (War eagle) and a sensitive rod made a big difference. I was able to feel strikes a lot better and set the hook more readily (which is super important with a spinnerbait). I also changed from using chartreuse/firetiger ones to using more natural colors, and that seemed to make a big difference as well.

OP's idea does sound like a really good one. It'd be unobtrusive and I'm guessing a thief would never bother looking there to deface something. I might have to do this with my reels. What about rods?

Thanks! Went out today at lunch break on the small (7 acres) pond near where I work, and pulled out a tiny 8" and a fat 2 lb LMB. Super excited! Caught them both on a chrome Strike King Rage Blade Blaster, jigged slowly off the bottom.

THKO Wakebait in frog color.

I use a standard Plano 3601 and I have never had stuff come over the dividers. That's the extra thin box. In several the normal thickness ones I certainly experienced it. You'd want the 3701 I suppose.

Went out today to a local, medium sized lake (150 acres) not expecting to catch anything but anxious to try out some new gear. Was delighted to hook up with two LMB in the two hours I was out there. They were both about 12" long, probably a pound and change or so. Dinks, I know, but I haven't been able to be out on the water since early December, so I was pretty pleased. Plus, I think they are my first ever winter bass- never was dedicated enough or tried hard enough before. The water temp here was probably about 36-38 or so- the coves were still iced over and there was ice along the shore. First one I caught on the Cabin Creek Spider jig, in about 16 ft of water I'd guess (didn't have my Deeper with me). Jigging it off a rocky bottom. Caught the second one (pictured) on a 1/4 oz. green pumpkin swim jig, I don't remember the brand. No trailer.

I bought a Megabits Pop Max last year too for the first time, and really loved the action. Caught quite a few fish on it as well. Other than that my favorite is definitely a buzzbait.

I always thought it was from eating craws as well. This was reinforced to me because I caught 2 LMB with a craw imitating jig, and both had red crush plates. Whereas in the small pond where I almost never see crawfish and certainly have never caught a fish with one, I never see the red. Could be just circumstance I guess.

Before this year I hated spinnerbaits, never caught a single fish on them. After having some phenomenal success this summer with them and finally figuring out how to fish them right, I've fallen in love. I've gone from 2 (plus a handful of older ones I never used, and subsequently traded) to... (opens spinnerbait wallet and counts) 12. Which I think is probably enough for me. I likely won't buy a ton more.

I just bought one to pair with my Powell Max 3D ML XF and the balance is excellent.

Translations from Japanese or Chinese to English are the greatest. So funny. And I'm guessing the other way amuses them just as much.

Just got mine yesterday, and I second both statements.

Lol. You're kind of not offering any alternative explanation? It seems weird that a pro whose occupation is fishing and whose daily bread so to speak depends on their knowledge of it, ignoring a popular and in many cases productive technique.

Pop maxes?

Interesting, I guess for jerkbaits you want a fast action even though it's a treble hooked lure? Is that for twitching the jerkbait? I would have thought you need a moderate action rod.

Not a bad price, you can also get them on eBay for $70 or so NIB. Thanks for sharing!

Again, the voice of reason.