softwateronly

Such a tragic loss. Condolences to you, your family and friends. scott

Ahh...The Dunning Kruger Effect. It has to be one of the most accurate psychological traits ever described and named. scott

I would chose: keitech on a ball head ned rig tube Sometimes I fish a ned rig similarly to a hairjig with good results, so that could do double duty for me. Can you afford to bring a blade bait? Seems like perfect conditions. scott

I've had times when my reel was in the US and almost in my hand before I got an email. 3-5 business days, time difference included, has been my norm over 6-7 purchases. scott

Not being argumentative because you certainly have more experience, but you've never had the 3rd or 4th bottom layer of thin braid get into the heavy backing because the last layer of braid doesn't fully cover? Also, the connection knot can get line lay a little wonky. I think most of my personal trouble with this issue was too much backing, but I feel it's valid on casts that get past 2/3rds spool. Using a light mono backing for me allows the braid to be used until I start spooling to backing without issue. scott

Hopefully, it holds out till the new Bantam. Looking for a heavier reel. scott

Left and not currently looking. Just trying to get the pertinent info on your listing. Maybe I missed it in the original post. My bad scott

R or L? scott

I cut up beat up ones for finesse jigs and keep the tail portion, but that's also my only option. ?‍♂️ scott

LEO is certainly getting crowded, but lets not forget that the USAF and other space nations haven't had much of a custodial concern for the last 60 years. I'm not a Musk fanboy, but I do think he's interesting and mostly big picture pragmatic. Last I read, they made a starlink redesign to decrease reflectivity in an order of magnitude to allow ground based telescopes the ability to see past. The benefit of global hs internet is worth the engineering challenges. I hope they find a way to play nice. scott

Nice fish!! The water I fish sounds real similar. If you're looking for a nose down, slow sinker (actually adjustable), this one has been killing it for me last fall and the last week. scott nishine eerie darter in hologram smelt

I learned how to throw a baitcaster 3-4 years ago and started with braid. I had many backlashes as well. One thing about your set up that might be problematic is your floro backing. My 30lb braid reels handle best with a 6lb mono backing. The thinner braid on top of the floro that might fluff, will find the grooves and dig horribly. Might be something to try if you would like to continue using braid. I do agree that 40-50lb braid is an easier learning curve, but 30lb is certainly doable and is currently on half my reels. scott

@ATA and I'm sure others, do a diy rig that looks real effective for big baits. scott

Luddite here. I like @ChrisD46 plan of attack and do the same. If I get bit on the fall, I also try a moping or hair jig technique mid column and can sometimes keep the bite alive. scott

I have the DC 706cb and find it super useful and ended up selling my Fury 705cb. From a Gantarel Jr to a 3/8oz underspin and all of what you're looking to do. Might want to consider putting it on your list. Sorry, can't help with the glass versions. scott

They're pretty beefy for neds, but the gambler one has treated me well. I also have the Nichols but haven't thrown it yet. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Gambler_Power_Ned_Weedless_Screw_Lock_Jig_Heads_3pk/descpage-GPN.html https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Nichols_JT_Magnum_Weedless_Ned_Rig_Jig_Head_3pk/descpage-NJTMW.html scott

I don't know for sure, but the big increase in big fish is probably related to FF sonar helping locate off shore bass suspended seemingly not related to structure. These bass have found a way to survive and thrive in a pelagic zone and have faced almost no pressure till now. scott

This was your best catch of '22 for sure! Godspeed, the bass will only be growing while you're recuperating. scott

I agree with everyone as well. The alberto knot has been real easy and strong for me. I think it's worth looking into if you go braid-to-leader on a spinning setup. scott

If you’re set on the PA, the 7’6XH is a rod I was looking at. Ended up saving money and grabbing the expride version, 7’6XH. I would think the PA 7’6 XH is more versatile, the way they get such a light rod to be soft and strong at the same time is really unique. I make a lot of long casts with this bait. It’s quite a bit of hook and plastic to get through when you’re 30yds out there in the weeds. I prefer the longer, heavier rod for this reason. Both of these rods can light pitch. scott the PA 7’4H is the fast moving and big bait rod. Go to TW and open the handle type link. You can zoom in and read it

I struggle with this as well during the summer and have plans as well. I did take a short cut last year, and spent many more hours night fishing. If that's possible for you, I highly recommend. scott

Interesting, I always thought mercury was leeched from the ground and the groundwater was contaminated in runoff. I know pre scrubbers, mercury was more airborne in power plants, but then again there's a whole world out there burning things. scott

Cold and rainy, but the fish didn't care. Yesterday, got a school fired up with the jerkbait. Probably 25ish fish in a few hours, with a stretch of 20 minutes of fish on every cast. So much fun that I didn't care that I couldn't feel my fingers and forgot to eat. Got another limit plus this morning, gantarel jr, R2S TB crank, and the killer nishine darter did the damage. scott

About 2.5 years owning both DC and MGL spools, I think the MGL casts for distance, casts with precision, and I backlash at similar rates with both types of spools. I really have to search my brain to find a reason to recommend the DC over the the MGL. Casting into the wind is probably the only thing it does better. And I'm not even positive about that. I would get the Curado MGL, I have one in an online cart right now myself. Also, you get the curado internals upgrade over the slx for virtually the same price. scott