Other Ozark Stream

[creek wader]

Hit a Ozark stream for a few hours today. I noticed that most of you have been using baitcasters with braided line. I mostly use a spinning outfit. So, I dug out my old shimano baitcaster, the other day. Went to Wal-mart and p/u a new 5'6" medium action rod, 20lb./6lb. spiderwire, and some hardnose swimbaits(on sale). I've always had problems with a baitcaster. It didn't change. I had my slim dog on a spinning reel and got a blowup on the first cast, even before I got the yak in the water. I missed him though.

Anyway, my intention was to use the baitcaster with the slim dog. Nope, didn't happen. After 20 frustrating casts and a birds nest, I gave up on it. I adjusted everything I could , to no avail. I gave up and broke the pole down and threw it into the bottom of the yak. I put the slim dog back on the spinning rod and my lucky spinnerbait on a back up pole, a zebco 33 w/ factory line. 1st mistake.

I caught several little largemouth on the spinnerbait then a stout 12" largemouth. He took the drag pretty good, so, I tightened it up. ..Mistake #2... You know what's coming.

I then had a series of 6 blow ups on 6 casts on the slim dog but, missed them all. .. Soooo... I grabbed the zebco with "lucky" on it. I named the spinnerbait "Lucky" because I bought it a month ago and caught quite a few nice fish on it. I hung it in 20 plus trees and snagged on I don't know how many rocks and stumps, but always got it back. The 3" yum dinger I was using as a trailer was pretty beat up, so I put on a new one. the first cast was to a log in a foot of water. I got a huge hit. He came up near the surface and right at the yak. I cranked up the slack and he went past the starboard and around the bow. I kept my rod tip up and cranked him to the boat. I got a real good look as he went past the port and went aft. (that's all the nautical terms I know). He was a hog of a largemouth. 20 plus inch. , a good 5 lb'er. Anyway. he was behind me and going under the yak. The pole was doubled over. I reached for the net. Mistake #3.He gave it one more hard nose dive and ...snap. Broke the line. I had a polamar knot but, cheap line/tight drag/ and under the boat. Not a good combo.

I had new and heavy line on both the other poles. ..Live and learn.

I gave up on the zebco and went back to the bait caster. As I was tying on one of the hardnose swim baits, I heard a huge splash behind me. As I turned around, I saw the big hog come out of the water again. He was shaking his head wildly and there was "ol lucky", in the side his mouth. So, I got a very good 2nd look at him. He was definitely, the big fish in this pool.

The 2nd cast with the hardnose swimbait, I caught a very nice fat 16" largemouth. I then changed to a 5" senko and caught a 13" smallie. That was it, for the day, I had to head out.

I hated to lose '"lucky" but, if I was going to lose it. I rather lose it to a hog like that, than to a tree or rock. ...lol ... wader

last pic of "lucky" and 12" bass .............. ............. nice fat 16 incher .................... the only smallie of the day 13"

[Al Agnew]

You're right that lots of guys like braid on baitcasters, but I don't. I use 8 pound McCoys Mean Green co-poly on all my baitcasters. I love braid on spinning tackle, however...won't use anything but braid on spinning.

You'll soon find another lucky spinnerbait, but it's funny how some lures just seem to have charmed lives...I have individual lures that I have twice the confidence in than I do others of the same model.

[eric1978]

You're right that lots of guys like braid on baitcasters, but I don't. I use 8 pound McCoys Mean Green co-poly on all my baitcasters. I love braid on spinning tackle, however...won't use anything but braid on spinning.

You'll soon find another lucky spinnerbait, but it's funny how some lures just seem to have charmed lives...I have individual lures that I have twice the confidence in than I do others of the same model.

Hey Al, what keeps you from using braid on your BCs? I just started using 6/20 PP on mine and I love it.

[Al Agnew]

Mostly two reasons...one, I hate having to carry around a tool to cut braid when my teeth suffice with mono! But, mainly, I'm so accustomed to the way my mono works with the baitcasters that I see no reason to use braid and learn the differences in the way it handles. I may eventually try braid on the baitcasters, but right now I'm perfectly happy with what I got.

[eric1978]

Mostly two reasons...one, I hate having to carry around a tool to cut braid when my teeth suffice with mono! But, mainly, I'm so accustomed to the way my mono works with the baitcasters that I see no reason to use braid and learn the differences in the way it handles. I may eventually try braid on the baitcasters, but right now I'm perfectly happy with what I got.

Well, those are good reasons. Having to get the scissors out every time you retie is a pain. What I like most about the PP though, is when I'm making super-long casts on clear water, I've found the hook sets are really superior because of it's low stretch. The sensitivity is great, too, although that really hasn't been a factor yet this year because I haven't started using baits that require that sensitivity. Made several thousand casts by now with it, and haven't had a single backlash.