T-Billy

Me too. Brick mason who decided to lay down his trowel, move south, and chase his dream. Seems to have worked out pretty well for him.

I have several Veritas and SLX's. I've been happy with both, and never an issue with either, and they don't get babied. I say grab the one you prefer out of those two. Either should serve you well.

Same here plus Alberto for leaders. All simple and reliable if tied correctly.

Pays to be a line watcher. A couple weeks ago I was fishing a T rigged beaver along a laydown. I pulled it over a limb and let it fall on semi slack line. The bait fell for about one second and stopped. I didn't feel anything, the line didn't jump, but I knew it stopped falling too soon. I catch at least one off this tree more often than not so, I didn't even bother feeling for it. I just swung. A 4 1/4 pound LM had gently grabbed it on the fall. This is one of the things I like best about braid. The lack of stretch enables me to drive the hook home with a shorter swing. If I'm being diligent about my rods position as I should be, keeping the tip no higher than 10 o'clock, I don't have to reel down as I would with mono or flouro. The quicker hookset gives them far less time to spit the bait. Some days this isn't that big a deal. Some days, when they're being finicky, it's huge.

Anything but deep cranks IMO.

My wife and I still watch the reruns. Junior cracks me up.

I agree. I like low stretch mono with fast rods, and braid with mod to mod fast rods. You kinda have to handle the rod to make the call, as ratings are all over the place, not only from manufacturer to manufacturer, but also between different models from the same company.

Looks SSSsssmokin hot from Mexico all the way up into Idaho and Montana!!!

They seem to get the wind wrong more than anything. I add 50% to the wind they're calling for and plan accordingly.

If the rod has a truly fast action, I'd go with 15#- 20# mono. If it's on the slower side of fast, say 30 percent tip, I'd go 30# or 40# braid.

Those things have caught a pile of smallmouth and saugeye for me from my local river.

Yep. Like I said, with braid it's a very versatile rod. It's the only rod I own two of, and I may buy another. I run 30# 832 on mine. That 7'11" H Veritas winch is great for riggin. Same great tip with more backbone. Does a great job of throwing 15 inchers over the boat when flippin and pitchin with it.

Palomar. If you just pull on the mainline while cinching down, you only lose a few inches of tagline. I pull it ALMOST tight, give the tag a tug, then cinch the mainline. Easy as can be and never had one fail.

I'm talking about soft plastic buzz toads. Might not be ideal for hollow frogs but it'll work. It'll throw them a mile that's for sure. It's actually pretty good for T rigs too. Loads up great and keeps them buttoned.

Sounds like you won the fight, but it was a split decision. Lol.

Citrus shad. Clear to stained, warm or cold it catches them.

I have two of those winch rods. Perfect for chatterbaits, toads, swimjigs, spinnerbaits,cranks....and the list goes on, using braid. VERY versatile rod. The 7'11" heavy is awesome for those same things plus flipping and pitching. Spool that sucker up with 832 and go to work. Yer gonna love it.

8-12 hrs depending on how long I feel like staying. I fish one to three days a week from ice out to ice over depending on my work schedule and family obligations.

Yup. That deal on the SLX combo is gonna be hard to beat.

That's how I set all my casting reels. Back off the spool tension until there's a little play, and adjust the braking to suit the bait and conditions. Simple and effective.

I was just on their site checking that thing out. I'm gonna pick up a couple packs next time I order. Looks like it could be a winner on a wobble head.

Yeah, I'm a fan of Big Bite. I buy their YoMama, tubes, and swimmin craws in the bulk packs. Quality baits at a good price. That little 3.5" YoMama is a fish catchin machine all year long. I always have one T rigged and ready to go.

Give 832 a try. You'll be glad you did.