Needing Help With Lunkers In Lily Pads

[WRB]

It's a common problem with braid spinning on the spool arbor if the spool doesn't have holes. One wrap of black electrical tape the width of the spool solves the problem. Mono backing isn't needed, go with direct braid. With direct braid you turn it around each year, both spinning and baitcasting reels.

Regarding big bass in pads, you need the proper tackle.

Tom

[the reel ess]

9 hours ago, RHuff said:

 

 

 

You think it was the braid slipping rather than the 12lb drag slipping?? I assumed I needed a stronger drag. 

Quite possibly. I don't ever use a whole spool of braid. I use Big Game mono as backing line and join the braid to it with a double uni knot.

[RHuff]

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

Quite possibly. I don't ever use a whole spool of braid. I use Big Game mono as backing line and join the braid to it with a double uni knot.

 

 I had the drag as tight as I could get it and I could not pull it with my hand, but when the fish was locked down under the pads as I would pull back the spool was giving. I assumed it was the drag, but it very would could have just been braid slipping too. 

[Fairtax4me]

65lb braid I tie a knot through the holes in the spool to keep it from slipping. If it doesn't have holes I use a few yards of heavy Mono, but half a spool is far to much when using heavy line. 

Just because you can't pull it and make it slip doesn't mean it wont slip when a fish is on the other end and that line has been wet. 

 

It doesn't take half a spool of mono to keep it from slipping either. 10 yard or so is usually plenty. Fill the rest with braid. For lighter braid (30lb or under) I do this rather than tying directly to the spool. 

 

For big fish in pads, You just can't let them get in the pads or you'll lose them almost every time. Heavy Braid, Heavy Rod. Cross their eyes with the hook set and get the head of the fish turned AWAY from the pads and force that fish to come to the boat. Your next weak link will be bent hooks. Do some research because there is TONS of info on fishing these methods. Put down the noodle rods, pick up the crane and winch, it will pay off. 

[WRB]

On June 19, 2012 at 9:12 AM, Texfisherman said:

So we're on a lake that has tons of monster bass in it.

This lake has lily pads extending out atleast 20 feet from the shoreline, all the way around the lake.

We were working the edge line of the lily pads with 1/2 oz. spinnerbaits, wacky-rigged worms on weedless hooks, and t-rigged worms.

Every time we hooked into a monster bass, it immediately headed to the lily pads and wrapped around one of them.

We would keep heavy tension on the line as we moved the boat in on the location. But by the time we had dug around the lily pad where the bass was, the bass had magically disappeared.

Any advice on preventing this? We lost 3 big bass in one day due to this exact situation.

Other info: 10 pound mono test, spinning rod and reel, medium-action rod, can't think of anything else.

^^ If it's possible to keep using the 10 pound test and still address this situation, I would prefer it.

Thanks

Hunting elephants with a BB gun!

[Heartland]

Just like everything else, you have to use the proper tools for the task.

[TnRiver46]

Pads are a heartbreaker. Heaviest rod and line possible and hope for the best! As far as the problem you are having with the backing knot in the spool, I always keep enough braid on the spool to bury the knot deep enough to where it never effects the cast. When the knot starts effecting distance, it's time to add more braid 

[new2BC4bass]

On 6/28/2012 at 9:55 AM, Texfisherman said:

Lots of great advice here, and I utilized all of it (and caught a monster bass)! I love the medium-heavy rods now and couldn't imagine going back to medium.

The only thing I didn't do was the packaging tape around the mono. I wish I had done it though, because that tape would push that knot down, more evenly with the surface. Right now, when I cast, the line is rubbing against the double-uni knot and it's reducing my casting distance greatly. It still works fantastically, but I'm gonna re-tie my spools, this time using the tape.

I use the Uni Knot for all lines to lures.  For splicing lines I like the Alberto.

On 12/20/2018 at 10:10 PM, RHuff said:

 

 

 

You think it was the braid slipping rather than the 12lb drag slipping?? I assumed I needed a stronger drag. 

Yes.  More than likely it was the line slipping.

 

Yup another old post sees the light of day.........again.  Happens all the time at this time of year.  Expect to see more before next season.  

[soflabasser]

I do well using 30-50 pound test braid when fishing in areas with heavy aquatic vegetation.