JF660R

I fished up mill creek for about 2 hrs last Saturday and caught a couple. Rock crawler and A rig.

Yep. It was double points night so I had resolved to just buy one full tilt as they sold out last time before I got up there. I went to the counter and said gimme one. Dude pointed to the discount table behind me and .... It was suddenly a good day. Kinda wishing I'd have gotten a Fenwick too. This ugly stick is uglier than ever with the president on it.

I hit up the BPS double points night tonight. Was pleasantly surprised to find Presidents on sale. Almost snagged a Fenwick too. Just sharing the savings.

Yeah, if BPS runs them on sale I cash in my points and get em under $100. I like being able to go back if I hate it. Returned the Revo I bought and got the Tatula. And I have rared back, unknowingly hooked my partners line, and flung his rod and reel into the lake. I was glad $100 covered it. And, I personally cap my rod budget at $100 and will go less when I can. I'm not saying there isn't a difference in feel, but I can't feel it. It's just not worth it for me. Also, I don't get to fish enough to have thousands of dollars of gear just chillin in the garage.

I heard a youtuber I watch mention merthialate worms. I'd never heard that term so I googled it. And found this specific to TR. https://www.bassmaster.com/tips/tricks-trade-table-rock Never really see this mentioned on the forums. Mostly green watermelon, PBJ etc. Anyone had success with this on TR they don't mind sharing?

I have a Tatula. I like it. It does occasionally herk to a dead stop mid cast which enrages me. But it's usually after I've been snagged and likely pulled too hard, digging the braid into the spool. I usually spool it out behind the boat and reel it back in with heavy tension on the line and that helps. I probably equally like the Lew's I have which is why I went ahead with another one. Does really well with fluro on it. I'd buy another Tatula if they go on sale.

That's part of what makes the BBT fun. Many of us know we're not really qualified to put together a "Monster bag". But we can all hope for that one chance bite.

Idk either. That's what the guy said on stage. I really doubt he would bother to lie about it. Half the field threw the RC, it's not critical information. The terms "Rock Crawler" and "Cape Fair area" still leave a lot of variables for the typical angler to be able to recreate his results. Also, I picked up some stuff at the Lew's outlet and they have plenty of RCs on the shelf.

Really appreciate the input fellas. I kinda lost interest in the Duckett after reading more about the eyelet issue. I'm too rough on rods for any delicate parts. Had to swing by the Lew's outlet today to compare reel prices etc. Talked myself into one of the $179 combos... they'e just a good deal. And I'm a sucker for a deal. More $ for lures. They've got 7' medium Speed Sticks in In barrel for $25ea! If they'd of had a MH I'd have done that... Still want to add a Falcon to the mix. I've still got an Ugly Stick to cull eventually.

I heard someone mention 900 entrants as well. But can't find any numbers in print. 12th place doesn't seem too bad if there's 900+ contestants.

Thanks for the input I'll definitely look into the Christie rod. I realize a dedicated a-rig rod would be optimal but I don't throw it much, basically just wanting to start. And the ones I have are the three wire at this point. I'm trying to limit myself to six rods total, adding one a year.

I have a Ned setup, a jig setup, and a crank setup that I'm happy with. Looking to expand the line up. I'm thinking of picking up the Lews Team Laser SLP that's on sale at BPS and pairing with a rod that would probably do mostly spinner bait and some a-rig duty. Looking for opinions, here are the three I'm primarily considering. One consideration, I tend to avoid rods over 7' as they don't fit well in my vehicle or rod box. Thanks,

Winner told us at the ramp, Rock crawler in Cape fair. He said the same on stage. I caught only two all weekend. Both on the rock crawler, biggest went 3.28 and took $100 off my entry fee. Partners caught them on spinner baits. Had a great time.

Really enjoying this topic. I often have a hard day on the lake, and then I'll check this forum that evening and see that others had great days. Time on the water is definitely my main issue. I'm starting to realize I'm fishing vicariously via forum threads and youtube. Which, when I actually get on the water, influences me to pursue something I read about last week. Or watched a youtuber do on a lake that's nothing like TRL. But, short of getting more time on the water, it's all I really know to do.

People suck all the time. But that outlook just comes from the fact I catch people stealing everyday, for a living. The only real flaw is that I'm not allowed to club them.

Sold. Thanks

It's the same way with trucks being $70k+. If the American people would buy half as many trucks next year, you can bet the prices would drop. But, we buy up every one they produce...so why wouldn't they keep growing the price every year? People are easy money.

Well, 40-65 is a common recommendation when reading about jig fishing setups. Figured I'd try it and see. Definitely rips the jig out of sticks, rocks and trees better than the fluro... but that's about it. I'm cheap so I hate losing lures. http://www.bassfishin.com/blog/fishing-line-guide/

Well I fished a night on the Tatula. Definitely better on the bigger Lew's Speed Stick MH. Couple times had the same dig in issue. Mostly from me getting greedy and continually loosening the tension / brakes. Someone else mentioned the spool tension adjustment on the Tatula being their main gripe. And I would concur. It works, but there's no click or smoothness to the knob. You kind of have to break loose the stiction on the knob each time you touch it, putting you past where you wanted to be. I'm interested in going back to the 15lb fluro and see how much I like that. So far, not a fan of the Spiderwire Glo Vis braid.

Round two.

Well I just ordered the Tatula CT 7.3:1 LH off BPS.com since the actual store didn't get any in. Only an extra $3 to ship to my house so.... I've never used heavy braid before. Seems to be pretty common for guys to list 40-65lb braid when detailing their jig set up. So, figured I'd give it a shot. I've got like $12 in it so I could ditch it and be ok. Read about as many heavy rod as MH setups ... thinking I should have went heavy. Again, I'll end up with at least a couple more setups before it's over. So, this rod will fit in somewhere eventually.

The more I read I think some of the issues were: Too much line on the reel. Rod too soft / lure too heavy (too much whip) ramping the spool speed on release. Casting too hard. Didn't really know that was a thing. I often rip the Lew's setup hard as I can... Anyway, I'm not upset that I'll be getting the Tatula instead. I am constantly changing my mind on how I plan to rig them. Ones gonna get the 40lb braid and go on the Speed Stick, and the other will go on the Favorite with....15lb fluro again...but not sure which. It's easy to see how so many people end up with so many rods and reels.

80 fish, omg. I'd be having a good day at 8. Sucks about the trailer but people are mostly idiots on the loose. I suppose I'd rather take it on the trailer than on the truck or the boat.

Ok, so here is another what rod/reel set up thread. What I've already got: 1) Favorite ML w/ Pflueger President dedicated to Ned / finesse stuff. 10lb braid to fluro leader. -Like it 2) Ugly Stick MH spinning that's getting a Pflueger when they're back in stock at BPS if they're still on sale from Cabela's for $40. Has 12lb fluro. Been mostly dragging a wobble head with a 3.5" craw/ creature lately but does whatever. - It's alright, not a forever thing. 3) Lew's casting reel on a Lew's MH Speed Stick with 15lb fluro. Pretty good. Use it as a do all. Basically never gives me any backlash or tangle issues. Hard hook sets leave me thinking the fluro is too stretchy. This is why I was looking to add another setup, more dedicated to jigs and such. The new set up: Favorite White Bird MH casting w/ a Revo SX and 40lb Spider Wire Glo-vis braid. Initial impression, the Favorite MH is softer than the Speed Stick MH... immediately started thinking about swapping the reels over. Second use, I started having issues with hard casts. Would jerk to a stop mid air. Not so much a back lash as overrun and dig in... I couldn't really say if this was more a reel or a line issue. Or my issue from only ever using the fluro...but with the braking turned up this far I really wasn't impressed with the casting distance. Today I returned the Revo. I've done enough reading to convince myself that a Tatula would be a better choice. Once I obtain a LH retrieve Tatula CT (which BPS doesn't have) I am undecided which reel should get the braid and go on the Speed Stick for mostly jig duty. And which should get the 15lb fluro and go on the Favorite for blades and maybe cranks.