Timberwolf530

Another vote for Sniper. On my braid with leader set ups, I use this:

You are correct. I tied the blood knot for 30 years until I saw the alberto and after doing it a couple times, I ccould do it ALOT faster, especially in the boat. Plus it's stronger. A definite win-win.

I know they get a lot of grief, but I haven't had any trouble with the Z Man jigs. I do like the Owner Block Heads better though. They have a really nice hook. Use the lightest one you can get away with.

BPS fluoro is strong and impact resistant, but it is as stiff as piano wire. If you can deal with that, buy it when they have their 2 for 1 deal, and you can't beat the price. Otherwise, I recommend getting a premium line like Sunline FC Sniper.

Walmart usually has a clearance bin where you can buy rods for $5 and up. You can also practice on removing reel seats, and handles with a heat gun. On second thought, you may not ever want to learn to fix broken rods. I usually end up with a pile of them every fall from all my friends who fish.

Take a standard Plano 3600 or 3700 style box, doesn't matter which. Cut slits down every other divider about 6 inches apart. Put the eye of your spinnerbait in the slot so that the spinners are in one row, and the hook is in the other. You can fit a ton of them in a 3700 size. Also works for buzzbaits.

I have been using Loomis rods for about the last 20 years. I just got my first E6X earlier this year. I got the 822S SYR for Shaky Heads, and I have been impressed with it. It reminds me of an IMX rod from 10 or so years ago, but actaully better because it has a softer tip, while maintaining a good strong backbone. I also have several St Croix Avid rods, and I like the E6X as much as I do my Avids. I think you would be satisfied with either. Go hold them in your hand and buy the one that feels best to you.

Went to Cumberland last year, 2nd week of October, and it was horrible. I would wait another month if I was going back there in the fall.

Lucky Strike RC series are excellent baits. Anything from Rapala are good, and they are still reasonably priced too.

I second the suggestion for Mudhole MHX blanks. Call them. The guys down there are very helpful. They should be able to tell you what you need.

Your problem with selling on Ebay with the rod is going to be shipping. It will cost almost as much as its worth to ship it. I would put it on Craigslist or Facebook and sell it locally if you don't want to keep it as suggested by earlier comments. I would just keep it.

Is your reel staying in free spool throughout the cast? If it is jumping out of free spool during the cast, the instant stop could definitely cause your line to snap.

I want to learn to skip with a casting reel. My next purchase is going to be a Tatula SV. I've heard they are great for that . I have two pistol grip rods that I honestly haven't used in years, but I was thinking a pistol grip would be good for the skipping technique as well. Anyone use one for that?

I always like to keep a rocket shad handy in the fall. They always seem to be bustin shad just out of reach of normal lures, and you can cast rocket shad a mile.

I wasn't happy with BPS fluoro because it's too stiff for me, after trying many different brands, I settled on FC Sniper fluoro for baitcasters and leaders on spinning reels. I've never used their mono because Sufix has been too good to me for too many years to make a change.

Palomar knot was the first "fancy" knot I ever used. Probably around 1980-81. I still use it today.

I have the E6X 822 SYR Shakey Head rod. It would be good for #4 on your list. I also have the 820 DSR in IMX, which is a great Drop shot rod. They make a similar one in the E6X series as well.

I've been using Daiwa J Braid X8 for quite a while now. I haven't had any problems with it. It seems to keep its color as well as any other line I've tried, and much better than the bargain internet brands. I don't have much issue with wind knots, and fraying hasn't been an issue either. My casting distances definitely increased when I switched to the 8 carrier line as well. The best part is that J Braid is relatively inexpensive. I'm just starting to experiment with Ardent Gliss, which is a whole different animal than braid. I'm interested to see how it compares. It's incredibly thin.

1. The answer to this is yes and no. Some are, some are not. I'm erring on the side of caution and using the least visible line I can. To me it's not a hassle to tie a leader. 2. Snaps only on crankbaits with split rings removed. Snap swivels, no. Swivels, yes on some things like flukes or floating worms. 3. No.

Are you going to be vertical drop shotting, or does casting distance matter? 4 carrier braid is cheaper, but not as smooth, and doesn't cast as far as 8 carrier. 4 carrier is more durable and damage resistant if abrasion will be an issue. I like brightly colored braid, yellow or chartreuse. I detect a lot of strikes I'm convinced I would miss if I could not line watch. Bright colors make this infinitely easier (for older eyes anyway). IMO, the best bang for the buck in braid is Daiwa J Braid X8. For drop shotting I use 10 lb chartreuse X8 with 7 or 8 foot leader of 6-10 lb Sunline FC Sniper. IMO you need to avoid the bargain braids on Ebay and Amazon. I've tried them in the past, and didn't have good luck with them. Color fades too fast, too stiff, breaks at lower than rated test. All the name brand braids are going to be good quality, but have different handling characteristics. You just need to try a few, and see which you like the best. Same thing goes for the fluoro as well.

Rod: 6'6" MH Fast Spinning, St Croix Avid Line: Braid to Fluoro leader Hook: 4/0 EWG -OR- #1 Octopus with a screw lock if I want to nose hook it I use the MH Spinning because it's between a M and MH casting. For me it's the perfect combination of soft tip and lots of backbone without too much or too little of either.

I don't think it is that much different than enthusiasts of other species. Yes, quite a bit different than Grandpa getting some worms and sitting on the bank with the grandkids, but guys who fish for other fresh water and salt water species put in as much time and effort as Bass guys do. Think of some of the guys who spend countless hours building their own fly rods, and tying flies, then hiking miles up or down mountain trails to get to the perfect spot. Or guys who travel thousands of miles all over the world in search of salt water species. Dedicated to different things, but an equal passion and commitment if you ask me.

I've only ever owned one kind. The tried and true Rapala.

I have 3 White Ice, and I love the way they fish. Good action, comfortable grips, light, sensitivity is good. Their only downfall is that the guides to in fact suck. I build rods, so it's no big deal for me to throw on a new one, but if I didn't I would be ticked. I've had one rod loose the ceramic in a guide and the tip, and another loose the ceramic in a guide.

Haha, so you tell us to stop arguing, and promptly continue the argument. Internet arguments are about as productive as banging your head on a brick wall, but I'm not a fan of when someone just shoots out bad information and presents it as fact. I've seen it with my own eyes, presented video evidence that it can be done, and if y'all want to fish with wet feet , be my guest. I'm not going to waste any more energy on this ridiculous argument, and I'm going to continue to wear my waterproof shoes when it rains.