softwateronly

Not sure if you're aware, they got hacked and cc info was sold off to the black market. This isn't irresponsible consumers except maybe not following their statements/purchases closely enough. And if you haven't gotten a replacement card, you're still vulnerable from the original hack. scott

Heavier sure might be better, hard to tell, but I think OP is stating he has a H and likes weightless. Punch was probably the wrong verb, we usually stay submergent and not a full mat. The clear water of the N can allow for some real heavy weed growth but you're correct, it doesn't compare to the 10-12 month growing season of FL. After 1.5oz, I'd have to visit a tackle shop and even probably one online to get heavier. scott

Dobyns seems really consistent within all the price points in my experience. scott

Out of what I own, big fan of Steez power pitch, ExprideA XH's, and MB Tequila Baccarac. Paired with a JDM 18 Bantam or JDM Zillion HD. Digitaka and ALF/TW can get you the Zillion and Expride below budget. scott

In my head, green pumpkin with gold flake feels juvenile bass/bream like to me. So I like it post spawn/summer. scott

Is wide side to side jump referring to a "walk the dog" ish head movement or are you more talking about the body rolling during the jump? I throw the Stunna and do pretty well, but have better results with a Jackall Rerange MR and Nishine Eerie darter 115sp. My line is almost always .33mm -.40mm which is definitely thinner than most 20lb mono. scott

I agree and can't leave braid to leader if I wanted to. Here's how I tie my fg, usually 3 groups of 6 turns with a floro/mono tug after each grouping. Rizzuto finish is also very beneficial to keeping the braid from working itself loose over time. I think it's well worth the extra effort required for this knot. Good luck! scott

Might be worth trying the reel/rod sweep style hookset. When I've done it, it has dramatically improved my hook up/land ratio. It's my always when reeling a swim jig, but a sometimes when hopping or dragging a jig. It really should be my always, but that's on me. scott

Genius! But it won't make me like drop shotting try as you might. scott

I think you're using proper gear and good technique, it could be bad luck with the way they were eating that particular day. But, are you possibly playing the fish too much once hooked? Are head shakes or jumping momentarily unloading the rod? Would lowering your rod tip during the fight help prevent the weight from moving the hook or unloading the rod? For me, I've noticed more success with reel/rod sweep that @WRB advocates for and describes on the site frequently. The larger weight and hook make it all the more important. I think you might need more time to specify the issue. 5/8 and 3/4oz grass and swim jigs are my predominate summer jigs. scott

I don't know if the why is correct, but my experience says the same thing. 2-3 hours after nightfall is a much more active and successful period for me. A grass jig/beaver and swim jig/paddle tail have been my best day baits on this lake, and also my best baits at night. Really, my main takeaways are to spend my nights in the same productive day areas, using mostly the same baits in the same colors, in mostly the same depth of water, working similar structure and cover. The caveat being that I'll spend some time exploring dirt shallow, but that usually goes quick for me because if they're there, they'll chase down anything close. scott

I know no one asked, but the jdm 22 Zillion HD is immediately a top contender for best reel I've ever used. For sure, I'm getting a better understanding of Diawa users love of the of the brand. You're definitely onto something. scott

^^^^So true, have a 7" WCZ Citizen shipping now....but the sneaky one is jigs. Especially grass jigs and swim jigs in esox waters and a reluctance to move to steel wire for "reasons" scott

I throw braid and braid to leader on my bc setups. Sometimes a bad backlash can have the braid cut itself, but I find with 50lb that seems to go away. Now that I'm more proficient, I throw more 20 and 30lb braid. Starting with 50lb was a good idea for me. scott

Not the Medium. Either MH will be good to go. scott

I think $50 isn't much for a rod. I think the last thing to worry about is breakage. Just fish the heck out of it and enjoy it. scott

The odds are 100% that there's not enough biomass to support any large fish unless it was stocked. scott

I'm not well versed enough to know, but everything about a crank doesn't seem subtle. Yet, serious and successful crank fisherman have loads of colors and flash levels, so it might matter. My most successful crank dives 15-17' is natural and has a narrow strip of flash across it's side. Seems like starting with a "loud" and "quiet" crank would be a good way to see how they're reacting. scott

Hard to say, I have been on water where I can see the bottom in 19' My water is clear, usually in the 8-12' range, so I throw natural colors. Don't see how white ish is ever bad though. scott

Threw the outcast chicken jig for a couple hours late Saturday morning. Was fishing a hard bottom with sparse weeds on a 18-22' flat. Was bombing it out, semi slack sink to the bottom, 2-3 reel handle turns, and let it glide again. I didn't let it rest too long. Got 4 bites and landed them all, 2-3lbers, but it was fun to put a new to me technique to work. Never got a hit on the way down, my assumption is the bass were relating to the bottom. scott I have 2 and threw the lighter one, which is either 1/2 or 5/8oz. Unfortunately, they're not labeled and I don't remember what I bought 2 black fridays ago.

Slow is a strange and niche action for me. Moderate is about as parabolic as I go. For me, I'd get a H/F or H/MF. I prefer to throw mainly single hook baits and have come to enjoy larger and heavier baits, 1/2oz swim jig with a 5" paddle tail being one of my favorites. That bait probably weighs just north of 1 oz total. A Heavy opens up T-rigged swimbaits too if dealing with heavy cover. There are many modern H power rods that feel light in hand but have the backbone when needed. Side note, ALF has used rods with 15% off right now and if you're new to them you might be able to tack on another 10% off. I've purchased a few of their used rods and have always received it as described or better. Falcon, Shimano, Ark, Diawa, Dobyns, Phenix, etc all have really intriguing options at your price point or below. scott

I'm another in favor of getting a mgl (70 or 150) spooled reel and not giving him the green beast. Inheritance is earned! scott

It's also my most fickle reel, but does bomb when it's in it's sweet spot. They've all moved to rods that throw heavier things to help alleviate but I don't like using them at night because of this. The external adjustable mgl spools, Cur 71, Bantam, and Met are all way better shimano casters in my hands. You're not alone. scott

I've caught on the scrounger with it, and Gambler has a power ned that I've used to pick off a few. Hog farmer has a stand up swim bait head that also might put the tail to work in a subtle way. scott

Texas rig a 6-8" worm with 5/16oz worm weight and work those drop offs. If a weedy area meets rock or sand, try to imagine that line running down the drop off and out of sight and work those transitions. Cast deep, and slowly bring it back to you with small rod movements or very very slow reeling, feeling the bottom. When you encounter weeds, try to shake it through with small pops. When not moving, keep a slight bow in your line and watch it and feel it. If it moves or feels "weird" reel down and set the hook. The entire drop off or break on the Squaw side of the narrows you like, looks good. Concentrate there, anchor shallow and work uphill. If the wind is coming from the wrong direction, look to the North, there's a place to anchor shallow and cast deep. This link will show the drop offs, use houses, docks, and when you lose site of the bottom to orientate yourself and triangulate the spot. https://webapp.navionics.com/#boating/mapOptions@15&key=opidGljl{N Good luck scott