technology also allows smallies to be targeted much easier.

it's like Livescope was built for small mouth bass fishing.

I only have 1 bass over 6lbs for Largies (and it was 6.05). I have a dozen smallies over 6lbs. A new Canadian record smallie was just set a few weeks back. 10.15lbs out of the Canadian side of Lake Erie (caught by an angler from Ohio - and no cheating on this fish, lol). Smallies are growing massive...

For me, fishing in the northeast, I would say anything over 4# is a good fish, over 5# is really nice, and 6# is a really big fish. I have only caught 2 bass over 6# in my 12 years or so of serious bass fishing. Still hoping to break the 7# mark some day. that's accurate up here (Canada) for Largie...

good luck man...I tried to point that out.

for lighter swimbaits (up to half ounce) I use an old 6'8" shimano crucial medium fast action. works perfectly for those needs. I've used many of my more expensive rods but find myself picking up that rod more than any other. I use a Curado Bantam Super Free that is 20 years old. Still rock solid (h...

they are a solid trolling bait at slow speeds for trout in cold water.

a go-to for us in the spring.

how did we go this long without mentioning the Phantom Owner Tube Hook. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0571/3579/2326/products/OWNERTUBE_large.jpg?v=1635791357 the weights that are attached the wire easily (and I mean extremely easily) slide off the end of the wire. sometimes before you even thro...

sure, absolutely it is.

but at least the 20lbs braid would cast properly....

ok, but lets be very clear here, you are not getting any performance out of your reel because of the oversize of the braid. a spool of braid costs what, 25 bucks? don't really make any decisions around spinning reels until you use line that is fit for the reel. We use 80 and 100lbs braid for muskie....

I find it much more comfortable to shake a rod/bait with a spinning setup. Something about being able to grip the handle loosely while having the mass of the reel lower. Heavier line goes a long way in keeping a bait from settling into rock crevices and minimizes snags. If I'm snagging shaky heads ...

interesting.

so you are looking for heavier leader material, and prefer having some memory (coil), as it will snag less.

makes sense.

Looking at that link with pictures of his on deck rods and locker rods....I wonder if I would lose my OCD ways of making sure my tackle stays pristine if I got them free. Probably not. It's just how I roll. If I get pristine tackle the first thing I do is mark it up. It feels weird having fishing r...

this place tends to draw folks with high end tackle (duh).

lots of folks don't use their spinning gear.

if anyone has a Stella that isn't getting adequate use, msg me. Let's make a deal.

Try 10-20 lb braid and go by the diameter you like. The thinnest braid I've used is 40lbs. Does the thinner braid still work well with the FG knot? The lakes I normally fish are not very clear, 2 to 4'. I don't even think a leader is necessary, but if I hang up without a leader, it would be hard to...

I've come to learn how versatile a 7'6" Medium Light spinning rod can be. I've used fast and extra fast, preferring the extra fast. Salmon, trout, walleye, smallies, really anything that is in open water. Very versatile. 20lbs braid mainline with a flouro lead is the way to go on this setup. I've ev...