PondBoss

By double looping I mean I insert the line through the eye then back around again and then tie the knot. This gives me a double loop on the bottom of the knot.

I've been using Fluoro this year with mixed results. What I have found is that it works really well on my crankbait set ups, where the hook set is more deliberate and more of a addition of pressure. On the other hand it seems like 6/10 I break off when I'm flipping jigs or soft plastics. Maybe I'm setting the hook too hard? It seems like that could be the case. If there is indeed very little stretch in Fluoro as advertised I could see that as an explanation for snapping line on the violent hook sets I seem to employ. From what I've read on here, it may just be that I'm using the wrong kinda of Fluoro. I've been using Vanish from Berkley and to be honest, it has it's days where it's awesome! Then again it has more days where I'm like I don't understand! I think I read somewhere that it was initially designed for Walleye fisherman and open water presentations. Which would explain my break offs in the thick cover. What is the best bang for your buck Fluoro line? I get ripped for not wanting to spend a bunch of money, but I don't think you have to spend $30 on 100yd spool to have good line. Also, what are the best knots to tie when using Fluoro? I've been using an improved clinch knot with a double wrap around eye. I since the knot while it's in my mouth to make sure it's super wet when tightened, but I've read it's not the knot to tie. What do you recommend? Sorry for the long windedness PondBoss

Welcome to the boards I've never seen "China" reels, maybe the ones on EBAY but not sure if those are the ones you are talking about. Where in Oklahoma are you from? As for my favorite reel, I can't really say. I own 6 different brands. lol My BPS tourny is probably my fav though. Even though it was a refurbished reel and has a couple of hitches in it's giddy up. It's my favorite to use, a close second is my Pinnacle Platinum.

BPS Extreme w/ 6'6" Berkley Amp 14# Vanish Fluoro (crankin) BPS Pro-Lite w 6'3 Vendetta MH 30# Spider Wire (flippin in my tube) BPS Tourny Pro w/ 7' H2O Xpress Ethos 15# Stren Fluorocast (jig/worm) Pinnacle Platinum w/ 6'6" Quantum Tour Grade 14# Vicious Ultimate (spinnerbait) Quamtum Tour Grade w/ 7' Berkley Lightning 14# Vicious Ultimate (flipping) Abu Garcia Black Max w/ 6'6" Excursion 30# Spiderwire with 14# Vanish fluoro leader. Spinning Shakespeare w/ 6'6" Vendetta 20# Fireline 10# Vanish Fluor leader (fluke) Spinning Mitchell w/ 6/6" Excursion 8# Sufix (shakeyhead)

I still am not able to click on the "general" fishing forums tab without getting a fatal error message. Deleting all my history and cache did the trick, thanks

Unfortunately there was no way this fish was coming back from the destruction that used to be it's gills. My 4/0 super line hook was stuck through one and had ripped through two others. It almost looked like the fish literally inhaled the bait as opposed to biting it.

I was out early this morning and caught a few fish, nothing big just a few 1 1/2 - 2lb fish. One of them ended up breaking my rod. I was angry as hell about that, so I put the rod in the truck and went to Academy to return it. I got full cash value for the rod and since they were having their "rod riot" I ended up making about $25 bucks on the deal. I put that extra money towards some new Big Bite Baits. They were like $1.75 a pack, got a few packs of fluke baits, some Kreit tail worms, and some Fighting Frogs. I walked out of the store with a lot more than I walked in with yay for me! Got back to my spot and on the 3rd flip with my new rod and new Big Bite Fighting Frog I caught this dude. Weighed 7lb 4oz and was super skinny. Would have thrown her back, but was gill hooked and torn to shreds.

I see all kinds of snakes, never had a problem with any of them. They always seem to go the other direction when they see me coming. "they are more afraid of you than you are of them" so they say

Cha-Ching you are correct sir

I'm aware that it isn't a lot of money. My point is I should not have to loose a bait after one fish. If I was getting 3-5 fish per bait that would be better. I don't wanna have to buy a new bag of flukes every day. Hell if I was even getting the bait back I'd be more apt to continue fishing it, but when I'm just bringing in the fish with just a hook and no bait it's kinda upsetting. I can T-rig the fluke and catch just as many fish working it weightless, but I get my bait back. Nose hooking is out for me.

H2O Xpress Super Line straight shank 4/0 hook. I broke a couple of Gamakatsu EWG on hook sets, so I switched to a super line hook. I also use a snell knot when using these hooks.

I really like my H2O Xpress 7MH. And it only set me back $60 right now during the Rod Riot you can get one for $40 I think. It's super sensitive and lots of back bone to work worms and jigs. (thats what I use it for)

I tried this today and caught 3 fish on about 10 casts. Sadly I won't be using this technique anymore. After loosing a bait on every fish, it seems like it would get expensive to fish on a consistent basis.

Let me know when you wanna go Jigfishn10, as long as we can stop by Soldier field and catch a Bears game while we are there

To be honest, I'm not even sure of the differences between jig heads. I try to keep it simple, find a color I like and or that I think will work add a matching trailer and flip it or swim it. I try to fish with this in mind....KISS (keep it simple stupid) I am not trying to argue or pick fights, just unsure about the differences that head shapes make when it comes to different fishing applications.

When I was fishing as a non-boater I brought 3-4 rods and my tackle bag. (jansport backpack) I tried to throw different baits until a pattern was developed. If he found something that was working I'd switch to something similar if I had it. Some guys are super nice and if they have plenty they will give you some too. If you get them figured out first he will switch accordingly. If he doesn't have one of what you are getting bit on, offer some if you have some to spare. This will not only score you some cool points, but it may score you some extra change at the weigh in.

A local club I'm thinking of joining has a $40 fee per tourny. $50 to join the club but thats it.

If it can do it all, why does it do nothing? Or are you trying to say the Arky can do it all, but it's just not your first choice for any application?

That is an interesting idea. I may just have to give it a try. Would like to hear anyones experiences with this.

If the Arky Jig does it all, whats the point of having the other ones?

I agree 100% with Catt! The 2 best ones I've used are the Strike King Rage Craw and the Zoom Speed Craw. I use the Zoom if I am trying for a smaller look and a lil less action. My main colors are Watermelon Seed/Red Fleck in the Rage. And my go to colors for Zoom are Watermelon Candy, Purple Cinnamon, and Watermelon/Red Fleck. Fish them with a Tungsten sinker and you'll be in good shape.

It did turn out to be a productive day, we'll see how they react tomorrow. The fish in this area seem to hit certain baits for about a week then it's time to try something new. I'm hoping they are hitting the jerk bait again for the next week. I really like fishing the technique. Kind of a finesse/power fishing combo. Hard erratic jerks with long pauses for effect. It's great

Today is the first time I've ever used a suspending jerk bait. I've had a rattling rogue in the clown pattern in my box for a coupe of years and never used it. I bought a couple of H2O Xpress jerk baits the other day on clearance for $1 at Academy. The fish at my local spot seemed like they had packed up and moved on for the summer, as I hadn't had much luck lately. The kids now that school is out are swimming and bridge diving maybe 30 feet from where I bank fish. I figured that maybe the fish had just relocated due to the added commotion. Turns out I was wrong! I was striking out early with what are my usual go to baits when I decided "what the hell" I'll try this suspending bait. I've been watching some BASS and FLW tournaments and they have been doing really well lately on those. First cast, bingo! Second cast Cha-Ching! Third cast had a 3-4lb follower. Picked up my flipping stick and pitched a craw a couple of times, no luck. Picked up the jerk bait again and first cast, YAHTZEE! It was really cool to watch the fish just look at the bait and examine it. You could almost see the cogs running through her brain. I gave it a small twitch and the light bulb went off. I was surprised at how lightly it picked up the bait. Had I not seen her swim off with it in her mouth I would not have known I'd got a bite. I came back later in the day, and after about 5 casts a group of kids came by and started jumping off the bridge. I decided to keep fishing. 3 kids were in the water about 15 feet away from my bait suspended 1-2 ft under he surface, I looked up to see one kid doing a flip off the bridge and looked back just in time to see my bait get smoked! It came right out from where the kid landed in the water. I'd say today I learned a couple of things: 1) The fish have not moved for summer vacation 2) Maybe bass aren't as frightful as we all think And one question came to mind: Why the hell have I not picked up a suspending jerk bait before? Sorry so long winded Pondboss

I actually didn't fish the Fluorocast today. Stuck with my Vanish, didn't break off any fish, so I had no reason to try something different. But next time I get the breaks, here comes the Stren.

I just got a spool of 15lb test the other day and I'm glad to have read some mostly positive things about this line. After reading on BPS web site I was thinking I'd just wasted $10. But listening to you guys puts me more at ease. Looking forward to using it tomorrow. I'll report back with my review.