T-Billy

It's the way to go with any single hook moving bait presentation IMO. Swim jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, chatterbaits, swimbaits... It gives you great hook setting power at distance, great sensitivity, easier clearing of weed fouling, and power to pull fish out of cover. I'm up to four Ark Invoker 7'4" H MF rods now. 1/2 - 2oz rating. Combined with a 7 speed reel and straight braid, it's an outstanding rig for all the above listed baits. Plenty of tip, and power to spare.

Thought of this thread today after setting the hook into a log, TWICE!!! ?‍♂️ First time there was a dink still on after I poked the hook off the wood. Hook point came out TDC and buried into the log he was hiding under. He's been placed on concussion protocol. Second swing, different log, I missed the fish and landed a chunk of log. Opened up a 4/0 flippin hook a bit both times. #STRAIGHTBRAIDBRIGADE!!! Side note: I like these $6 RiverRuns gloves nearly as well as the $30 Fish Monkey gloves they replaced. Factor in the cost difference, I like 'em a whole bunch better.

Congrats!!!

Nope. I'd recommend switching to XT though. It's lower stretch, more abrasion resistant, and it handles just fine on spinning up to 10# test.

I got a chuckle out of Watsons comment. If they made it five bass and one carp, Wheeler will catch the biggest carp everytime. LOL.

^THIS^ It's a neccesary, if not enjoyable part of the deal.

Fluoro absolutely has the best slack line sensitivity, but that difference can be mitigated to a large degree with good slack line management using both braid and mono. Not all braids are created equal. I fish 40# 832 through rock and wood all the time, and I need to retie it FAR less than I ever did mono or fluoro. Braid also gives me the ability to muscle bass out of places that just wouldn't be possible with those other lines.

Straight braid for all but deep rock. I use a mono leader there to make breaking off easier, and prevent losing long sections of braid.

Watson and Coulter agree, 70% of MLF anglers voted for the five fish format hoping it'll help them be competetive with Wheeler. LOL. I hope Wheels cleans their clocks and gets the AOY in 23.

I'd eat it.

Doesn't need to be on the day the ice melts. Just within the first few weeks while the water is still very cold. It's always gone by the end of March in my area, and it takes weeks for the temps to climb out of the 40's. It's doable, but they probably think nobody wants to watch them struggle to find five bites a day. Personally, I'd be VERY interested to see how the pro's approach that situation.

I've been very happy with their 30# single strand titanium leaders. All quality components.

There goes all the toilet paper again!!! I spose it's ok for some stuff, but it'll get your heart broke flippin cover. Like this?

Or in my experience, a broken banjo string

I like the Yum finesse and flash mob jrs. I throw them on 40# braid and haven't lost one yet. I've pulled up some big limbs, opened up a bunch of hooks, and cleaned a lot of old line up out of the lakes. Took me awhile to catch a fish on one, but as mentioned, once you do, you're hooked. It's getting to be that time of year.

I hope it makes better batteries than it does fishing line.

Most do, but I haven't found a need to. I don't have dig or abrasion issues with 40 and ya ain't breakin it pullin on a fish. 40 gives me a little better distance than 50, and all the power I could ever want. OMMV.

Your reels are fine. Are you having an issue with braid dig using 20#? I'd recommend a 7'6" heavy fast for pitching cover, and 40# 832. Ark is having a buy one get one free sale on their website right now on the Lancer Pro series rods. They're an outstanding value at full price, and a steal at half off. Set your spool tension loose so the spool has just a bit of side to side play, and as little brake as you can use without constantly over running.

Boo....... I much prefer the every fish counts format.

And yet you caught 22 more fish than I did yesterday. Way to go HAMMER!!! At the rate you catch them, I'm starting to believe Z-Man named their top of the line chatterbait after YOU!!! I'll second that. Personally, I'm coming around full circle. I'm throwing less different stuff as the years go by. I have a handfull of confidence baits, and mostly just roll with those. Amen Brother!!!

Yup. Crackheads and miscreants don't get to dictate where I go.

I was a bit overdressed the other day, but it's what I had handy. I've been known to sit in the woods from daylight till dark, temps in the teens, waiting for a deer to walk by. I don't often get accused of being a smart man. LOL.

I was dressed for the run down the lake, rather than what I actually needed to be comfortable fishing. The clothing contrast in our posts just struck me as funny. Good luck today. I'm gonna get out for a few hours this morning too, but I gotta cut it short for a dental appt.

41 in Maine and Katie is fishing in shorts and sandals. Meanwhile, it's 43 in OH and I'm bundled up looking like Hugh from Ice Hole Truckers!!! ? I'm such a Wuss!!! ?