jimmyjoe

She outfishes you because you let her. You let her because you're a .... very .... smart .... man. ? jj

3" or 4" finesse worm. Charlie Brewer makes great ones. I used to use all kinds of artificials, too. I loved (and still love) going after 'gills with ultralight spoons, especially during one of their many spawns. But the most consistent luck I've had is small finesse worms. I don't know why, but they'll try to get the whole dang thing in their mouth every time. They look funny, like a little kid trying to shove too much candy in their mouth. ? CB weedless heads work great, too. jj

I got the 1000 size for use on a ML/F rod. It's been great. IF I needed another new 2500 size (which I don't), I wouldn't hesitate to get it, even tho I hear that it's based on the Sahara platform, and the Sahara is just as good in fresh water. Either way, it's a win-win situation. jj

I can't believe I fell for that! ? jj

This has prevented me from making a wrong choice more than once. It's an invaluable asset. jj

The fatigue comes from fighting against the lure's resistance. If you retrieve slowly or retrieve a lure that does not have high resistance, then a 6-something ratio reel will be just fine. As always, though, it can be wise to look to the future. jj

Precisely. I was raised on fiberglass rods. The very first graphite rod that I had, I almost threw away because I thought it was a "2x4", and too rigid. It was a St. Croix Premier. How times have changed! jj

Be aware; this is what works for me, but I'm not telling you that it will be what you need. I use a St. Croix Mojo Bass Glass rod, 7'-02", heavy/moderate. It's called the "Rip 'n' Chatter", but I don't pay attention to their faddish names. I've got 15 lb. Big Game on it right now. I have no idea how it would work with braid. I TARGET bass, but it seems I CATCH pike and (sometimes) musky. This is a great bass rod for everything except bottom contact ..... and if I had to save my life by using it for bottom contact, I think I'd be OK. I'd just have to concentrate more. It has the forgiving tip of fiberglass, but because it's Heavy power, it has "authority" out the yin-yang. Is it perfect? Oh, heck no! It's heavy, and it's insensitive. But I can compensate a certain degree for those failures. I don't know .... maybe you can, too. Maybe not. (I was taught on fiberglass, many years ago. That helps.) Look at the specs, and see whether you'd like to consider it. If there are any questions, give me a PM and I'll see whether I can answer them. jj

In my experience, no. However, my experience is limited to the specific rods I used (Daiwa Presso). I suppose it would also depend on the weight of lure that you were trying to cast. Someone who uses a 13' or 15' centerpin rod might be able to give you a different viewpoint on how to use rod length to your advantage. jj

Chiefly, it works as a shock absorber when either setting the hook or fighting the fish. Long, whippy rods are better at protecting light line. jj

On a baitcaster, this is one of the original reasons I run my line through my fingers on the retrieve. Once it balls up enough, I take a fingernail clippers to it. jj

Congratulations! jj

In the muddy rivers .... yes, because there are so many shad. In lakes that are muddy .... not so much. jj

I use clippers at home and cut what's left of my hair as short as possible. It's practical, easy and cheap. As for looks .... I don't worry about that. I done lost that game years ago. ? jj

Went fishing today. Caught 19. Only 4 were keepers. Still, I came home a very happy fisherman. jj

Booyah Pikee or J-Mac Musky spinnerbaits 1 or 1 1/2 oz. Eppinger Dardevle spoon Mepps Musky Killer and Giant Killer in-line spinners Bomber 16a and 17a, worked hard 6", 7" or 8" Drifter Believer cranks Rapala CD11MAG in silver 1 oz. Acme Kastmaster jigging spoon if they're deep There are others, but that will get you started. Like @12poundbass said, target the weedlines. jj

Thank you .... very much. ? jj

I understand. Unfortunately, I use any heavily-favored reel quite a bit, and most of them look it. They're a tool to me, not an investment. Now that I've said that, let me ask you a question. The real reason I tried Daiwa was Magforce-Z. That's it. I tried it and I liked it. However, I had serious problems with the pinion gear and possibly the drive gear. This is casting and retrieving lures up to one ounce. I've heard (anecdotally) that some Daiwa reels with Magforce-Z were built like tanks. By that I mean that they would cast an ounce all day long, do so smoothly, and continue doing it for years. And they did NOT have the t-wing system. If that's true, which ones would we be talking about? jj

I couldn't agree more. I saw that. I also saw the price. Can you say .... "heart attack" ? ? jj

I use Big Game. I buy the bulk spools, and I buy them on sale. I re-spool ..... because I can afford to. jj

Really? Which ones? I'm interested! Yes, I know I said I was feuding with Daiwa, but this might change things. That's one of the things I asked Daiwa main office in California; they said, "Nope." I hope whoever I talked to knew what they were talking about. jj

I hope your wife has a quick and complete recovery. Looks like you have something far more valuable than money or possessions: you have a good friend. jj

I take it what you are saying is, "If you could have any one rod and reel, what would they be?", correct? If so, I would go with the St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye spinning rod, a so-called "deep cranker". It's MH/M and 7' long. I'd put a Shimano Stradic 2500 FL on it, with 14 lb. Berkley Nanofil in chartreuse. That combo would handle 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits, 1/2 ounce spinners, 1/2 ounce spoons, 9/16 ounce suspending twitchbaits and 5/8 ounce squarebills. It would handle lighter stuff, too. It's rated 1/4 to 3/4 ounce lure weights. Greater versatility I have not seen..... yet. jj

If we're talking about lakes, I might go in if it's close to shore. Might, I said. It would have to be awful expensive .... and shallow, too. If we're talking about the Mississippi, then there's no way I'm going into that sewer-of-the-Midwest. jj

That's the way I am with spoons. Luckily, I don't have to prove it very often. ? jj