jimmyjoe

I got 3 lemons, too. First was a 35 size Supreme XT, then a 40 size Patriarch, and then a 30 size patriarch. Spirit Lake gave me 2 Revo size 35 reels in return for my trouble. One was an SL, and one was an SLX. The SLX wouldn't even turn, right out of the box. I can understand 1 lemon. It happens, y'know. But two is a danger signal. Three? That should NEVER happen! I wouldn't use a Pflueger reel if you gave it to me free. jj

You guys talk about weather in the short run, but do you ever have any interest in weather in the longer run? I visit this page regularly. If you use the first set of pages or scroll down further, it can be interesting. I like to compare what it said in other years to what really happened. The "EC" areas can really bounce around either way. jj https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/site_index.shtml

And there are some girls down on Second Street after dark that are totally legit, too. ? jj

If we're still talking multi-species, I think you made a good choice there. But for largemouth, I use only #5 Mepps Aglia any more. Used to use 1/2 oz. Panther Martin, but I quit. Mepps does better for largemouth. I still use Roostertails, but not for largemouth. I use them for pike and sandies, and they do fairly well. I use spinners in bright colors for contrast, not mimicry; I throw them deep at the thermocline in lakes and in muddy water in rivers. My bright colors are silver, chartreuse and pink. Pink works especially well if there are crappie around for the bass to eat. If I target the margins, I try to mimic forage fish colors. That's a game that has no end. ? I think that's why spinner manufacturers make so many colors. ? Remember .... YMMV. Good luck! jj BTW - I've taken to using the double-bladed Aglias spinners by Mepps. They're made in #3 (5/16 oz.) and #5 (11/16 oz.). They can be retrieved VERY slowly. If you're in a situation where a slow retrieve is beneficial, you might want to try them. jj

7'-01" MH/F Mojo Bass rod, Citica 200i w/ 12 lb. Big Game. Just got a Mojo Bass Glass H/M after Christmas that I'll try out this year. I've never wanted too stiff a rod tip for any topwater, including buzzbaits. jj

I just saw your PB pike. Nice! Welcome! jj

I'm surprised he didn't hold it at arm's length in front of the camera to make it appear larger. ?? jj

I have the 7' UL for slip bobber use now, but I had a 7 1/2' Presso and a custom 8' before this one, and I really wish I had kept the 8' for bobber work. I couldn't use a rod under 7' for bobber work. jj

No FC on spinning gear. On one (and one only) baitcaster I use InvizX 12 lb. test. That's M/MF rod for cranks. All the rest (all MH rods) I use Big Game mono. I use InvizX because I've had better luck with knot consistency compared to Sunline Super FC. jj

I know just how you feel. My Dad had allergies. He was a beekeeper, and always had hives. jj

I have a 1000 Nasci on a 7' UL rod, and it's OK. I would NOT want that same reel on a 5' rod. Just me. jj

You are rotten. You are horrible. You are awful. I kinda like that. ??? jj

Ain't illegal, is it? ? ? Might be this guy's answer. Dunno. If it feeds good, that'll be one less problem from what he's got now. jj You said you're using a MH/F Avid, which is rather stout. He might benefit from something like that, or he might already be using something like that. OP hasn't told us the length of rod he uses, nor the power and action. I know that a longer rod can take up line faster, controlling a fish that's charging the boat better than a shorter rod. He also has not told us exactly how he's losing fish. Because he keeps gravitating to heavier and heavier line, that makes me think abrasion has something to do with it. Or maybe when he says that he's "losing fish", what he means is that he can't set the hook on them fast enough, and they just get away. Although if that were true, he'd have no idea that they were 8 pounders, or 4 pounders, or whatever. So it sounds like he's getting a hookset, alright. He's getting resistance from the fish. It's almost like he's trying to use a 12 gauge to swat a big fly. Like I said, I dunno. jj

Found it! The guy using the 17 lb. Trilene XL on spinning gear was @haggard. jj

Set your drag medium. When you need an instantaneous "bite" to set the hook in awkward circumstances, put your middle finger down on the skirt of the spool, or use the free hand on the spool. Very effective. jj

Yes, but the OP already has line that SHOULD be plenty for what he's describing, and he already said that he has used braid, but wants something better. And he doesn't like using casting reels into the wind. Like I said ..... I dunno. I'm lost. jj

I see. Thought maybe you were just recreational. I don't fish competition at all. Can't help you. ☹️ jj

Do you fish competition? jj

How exactly are you losing these big fish? Abrasion? Line snaps in two? Knot gives way? Those are all reasons to look at larger diameter line. But there are all separate and distinct problems. They all have different solutions. One other thing: sometimes a heavy drag won't activate quickly enough when you're catching a bigger fish with short line out. The drag then needs to be reduced, but only a critical amount. Not too little and not too much. Could the drag be the problem? jj

I mean the knotting up. Mono shouldn't knot up, especially that size mono. Maybe the line is spooled backwards from the supply spool. With a 4000 size spool (which you said you have) you shouldn't have any of the problems you describe. I have no idea what's going on. ☹️☹️☹️ jj p.s. - Maybe a frozen line roller?????

Something is wrong here. jj

???? Where are you? Can I go fishing with you? ??? Seriously .... which size of spinning reel are you using? Makes a huge difference. I personally wouldn't use over 12 lb. test mono on even a 4000 size spool. If you go beyond that, I would be talking saltwater size spools. Fresh water spinning gear is not made to use heavy lines. By that, I mean large diameter lines. Those are handled so much more efficiently by casting gear that it just ain't funny. Be that such as it may, the two lines that I found handled best on a 4000 size spool were Magnathin and Berkley Cold Weather. Cold Weather is limp, but it doesn't really like the heat of summer. There was a guy not too long ago on here that said he used 17 lb. mono on a spinning reel. I think .... can't be sure .... that he said Trilene XL. Maybe he'll pop in here and give you some advice. jj

I think you just did. ? jj

https://crappiefisher.com/crappie-pronunciation/ jj

You got it. Tonight, tomorrow, whenever ....... All the same. Good luck! jj