Bird

Try turning it sideways on the cast.

Does a floating Jerk bait count as top water ? SM harrass it here in the rivers, bone no doubt.

I need to implement an off season ritual......my winter season fishing was pathetic. Another words, I need an off season.

I agree with Ya' but did catch a bass on chicken liver once, nice one. Probably dropped it on his face though.

Interesting thread, makes you think. I use to throw Buzzbaits, Spinnerbaits, plastic worms, spooks, frogs , Jerkbaits you name it, on the same rod. Now the back of my boat looks like a bamboo forest due to bait specific rods. If I was limited to using only a plastic worm I'd be catching fish.....it's the GOAT.

Yes, I hook from head to tail but that leaves hook point towards head. I'm not an Neko expert and tying 5 Alberto knots in the wind in one afternoon may prevent that desire. Lol Watched a Brent Ehrler's video and seems I was over-rotating the hook, I'll try again. Really wanted to catch one on the Neko today instead of the Ned. Lol

Went fishing today with only 2 rods, Neko and Ned. Lol kinda comical. I had a terrible time with the Neko rig hanging, was fishing points all day. Actually broke off 5 times and never hung the Ned. How about the same concept, weight in head but no O ring and hooked Texas ? OR just using a snag less hook ?

Alberto/Palomar

That's an understatement

Wow, very sharp.

I'm not as tolerant to wind as some of you.....not on lakes. Wind dictates what I throw and eliminates a lot of my favorite techniques or at least there effectiveness and most times forces me into isolated coves. Nope, don't like fishing in high wind. In fact I left the water prematurely 3 of the last 4 outings because of it. Did I mention I don't like fishing in wind.

I have 300 strength readers around my neck , in my tackle box, behind the boat seat, pair shove in a pocket .........wear 1X sunglasses for clarity and distance while fishing, Amazon, 3 pairs for $15. I could tear up a digging iron so gotta go cheap on glasses.

It's the whole package for me. Watching Eagles hovering above and otters swimming below, enjoying God's great creation. It's a natural high just simply fishing.

I throw them from a kayak, sitting and much harder to work them as opposed to a standing deck of a Bass boat. The issue is compounded because I work a Jerkbait VERY aggressively and prefer a downward stroke.

My brother made a great living back in the 70's trapping, he was way better than I was. No money in it today compared to back then. We skipped school and sold all of our Red Fox pelts for $70 a piece. I sold all my steel traps after crippling someone's pet, got to me.

Welcome to the site. I've been fishing for 50yrs and when fish shut they're mouths.....nothing goes in. Lol

I use to bow fish quite a bit when I was young. We did it at night from a John boat or walking the bank. I honestly don't see a kayak being the greatest platform for this unless you could stand or use a crossbow. Seated with a compound or recurve is tough enough from a treestand......seated in a kayak ? I can see a kneecap getting knocked off. Lol

Squarebill, chatterbait or Spinnerbait ? Spinnerbait in a landslide.

That's not playing fair comparing the longevity of the 4.0 with anything built today. Like comparing steel to plastic. Lol

I caught my big fish of 2019 on DS, clear water. I keep it simple which may not be optimal but seems consistent for my waters......1/4 0z for everything unless high winds......don't do anything finesse in wind.

All it is is a backing and won't be seen so should be fine. But if you don't have enough braid to keep the Fluoro tucked away, you'll have a problem with small diameter spool....trust me.

I really don't pay much mind to distance from rod tip to lure, just something reasonable. BUT something I've learned as someone who uses leaders......keep your knot outside the reel " my case it's Alberto " and the knot clears the guides much more smoothly.

I'm a diehard Bass fisherman and actually detest catching other species. I've caught many pickerel and Musky while bass fishing and seems to always happen with Jerkbaits and Magnum flukes. I always give slack line in attempt to lose these voracious predators, works about 50 %. Don't mind the occasional Crappie.

I work a Jerkbait quite aggressively so it doesn't sit long for examination. Using baitcasters, I often throw straight braid with no issues. I am an advocate of braid to leader though in the clear waters I fish for many techniques but moving baits or top water baits that I want to keep nose up, prefer straight braid.

As far as line is concerned ? I use 15-20# braid with short FC leader to prevent treble romance, that's what I call it. Lol Straight braid will often wrap the front treble, more pronounced with spinning tackle. Imo