Lead Head

What has helped me as far as ned rigs go is separating the "ned rig" from the "ned technique". If someone says they are using a "ned rig" I know they mean a small plastic on a jig head. If it is 1/10th or less I think of it as the "ned technique" and if it is heavier I think of it as more of a bottom contact presentation (whatever you choose to call it). From what I can tell from reading and watching videos the "ned technique" (as I like to think of it) is more about fall and flutter, almost suspending the bait off the bottom. Just the way I have started thinking of it to make sense of the way people with more experience and knowledge than me separate the weights of ned rigs. Feel free to correct me if I'm looking at it all wrong. I'll also mention that even in the muddy Arkansas river the lighter weights have been better for me.

Things might have changed, but years ago when I worked at Academy they were not allowed to advertise when shimano stuff was on sale. If you didn't stumble across one in store, or know someone who worked in fishing, you would think shimano never went on sale.

I keep 8, 12, and 15lb copoly and 50lb braid in my tackle bag. One of those will be pretty close to what I need 99% of the time, and it takes about 5 minutes to respool. If space was a big concern I would probably just bring 10lb copoly and the braid.

FG all the way. I use about a 6' leader since I'm not crazy about having the knot on my spool.

The code ends 5/7 and can be used twice... at least that's how I read it

This thread is the devil!

I feel like your on the right path. For me personally, fishing from a boat, I would rather have 3-4 budget set ups than 1-2 nicer ones. Everyone is different though. I also agree with the rod before reel upgrade line of thinking (especially with fuego ct). While I'm not familiar with the cherrywood, I will say using braid will help compensate for any lack of sensitivity they have, especially for bottom contact presentations.

I've never fished a high end rod, but I have felt bites with my finger that didn't even come close to affecting my rod in any way. This is most common when I'm using enough slack to get the most vertical fall possible.

Are you fishing from a boat, kayak, or the shore? If your walking the banks, 2 mid level combos is probably the way to go. If your out on the water I would stick to the cheaper, multiple combo plan you currently have. The fuego ct is an excellent choice for your baitcasting reels no matter what you decide. They are the same reel as the tatula only without the t-wing and an amazing value at $50-$70 from Ebay. I personally would go mh and h on the bait casters, especially if you plan to throw frogs. You would need 50lb braid on the h if you go that route, but this is just my personal preference because I don't finesse fish much.

I have wade fished some of the smaller rivers around here (Saline, Ouchita) never ran up on a gator but people swear they are around. In my experience most of the snakes people call cottonmouth (or water moccasin) are harmless banded water snakes. Not saying it's never a cottonmouth, just that the water snakes are far more abundant and 90% of people I know declare every snake they see in the water a moccasin. I have come face to face with a swimming copperhead while wading waist deep water on lake ouachita.

Ahh... I see. Thanks for the input guys!

Have you ever had to remove a tip top that you put on with 5 minute epoxy? Been researching it and I'm seeing mixed comments. Some say you will damage the tip with the heat required to remove 5 minute epoxy, some say you won't. What is your experience with it?

Thanks guys, it gets pretty hot down here so I'll put thread at the tip. Do you think just running some epoxy over the end of the base is sufficient or should I go ahead and run a few wraps up on the base?

If I had that combo, and couldn't swap for a slower reel or faster rod, I would most definitely put 30lb braid on it. The lack of stretch in braid should help you set single hooks with the moderate action rod, and that same moderate action can help keep trebles pinned. You will have to turn that reel painfully slow for most moving baits... it's not that big of a deal you just can't lose focus or you will be burning spinners like buzz baits. Just because it isn't a prototypical setup don't mean it can't work for you.

Is thread at the tip top purely decorative, or is it necessary for strength? Also do you guys usually run the thread over the base of the tip top or stop flush with it?

The "bass series" has the more moderate taper. I was under the impression the carbon 4 series was nearly identical to SCIV as it says "Our C2 blanks are the same as St.Croix's SCII, and our C4 is the same as SCIV." I'm a complete noob to rod building and have no hands on experience so if this is not accurate someone please straighten me out here.

Last I checked you could get kastking braid online for about $6 shipped. I use it on my spinning reel and while it's not the best, it definitely isn't trash. I suggest grabbing some and giving it a shot. If you don't like it, your only out $6. If you do you can keep fishing it or look into a more expensive 8 carrier line. I know you said no leader but if you watch videos on the FG knot and learn to tie it well, you will fail the knot to your lure before the FG gives. I like 20lb but 10 or 15 will probably suit your needs better. I'm rarely fishing a ned that deep.

Haven't used the SLX but people seem to love them. I have a few MB and those will be hard to beat at $105. I absolutely love mine.

No thumb, but I keep my index finger under the line for all my bottom contact presentations. I have actually cut my index finger on the hook set a few times.

I used floroclear for a few years without issue. Then it happened... 15lb line breaking on every hookset. Switched to a older spool and the problem went away. Went out and bought another new spool and the break offs returned. 2 bad spools in a 3 year stretch (6 spools total) was too much, I stay away from the stuff now.

30lb 832 and a fg knot. I keep the leader about 5' so it never enters the reel.

To me, the MH fury fishes like a M in most other brands. I've learned to focus more on lure weight recommendations than listed powers (thanks bassresource).

Had an old surveyor teach me a trick. Buy flea and tick collars for dogs and put one around each boot. Kinda like a tick repellent ankle bracelet. Helped tremendously the few times I needed to try it, but still check yourself because they can get on you from bushes and such.

Lol... good ol' bluegill and the "machine gun" hit. When I know they are in the area and harassing my bait I usually do a pretty good job of laying off, but if those little buggers start picking up and actually moving my bait I can't take it... have snatched a few rigs right back at myself and had to Matrix dodge them.

I keep a frog tied on most of the year. When it's too cold for frogs the A-rig gets put on that rod. As soon as I decide its warm enough for frogs the A-rig gets put away until next year. My jig rod is the only one that has the same job/bait ALL YEAR.