Tale of two days...

[tomnilll]

Here is a story that explains, to me at least, what fishing is all about. So, let me set it up...same lake (O'Neill) two consecutive days. Could not have been more different.

Day 1

Start with a cold morning, and casted about 3000 times in the first hour and snagged the tulles about 6 times, lost a bunch of tackle, and finally landed this dink.

Then gave up on that spot and moved to one of the docks, and it got worse...got a hook in my finger ( I'm ok...) and casted a bunch of junk at the tulles and finally hooked up, and felt some weight...and snap went my leader. Well live and learn, checked the line for any other damage, checked the knot, and all was fine so tied on another hook and off I went. 5500 more casts, and watched a newcomer cast like 3 times and land a 3lber right next to the dock...the hooked up again and felt biggness...but alas...same shit different side of the dock.

Could not take it any more so packed up ( and got another hook in my hand) I should be more careful. Went home mad.

Day 2

Changed the line...2 snaps cant be a coincidence and even threw away what was left on the spool...retied everything and hit the water about same time...right about at first light. My attitude was skeptical but positive and was really enjoying the very calm, flat water no wind and just a bit chilly (37F) when I got there. This time no snags, more careful casts, no hooks in me and i was rewarded with a couple nice ones.

And went home very happy.

The end.

[kastmaster]

Nicely done!

[VinnyBass]

I got cold just seeing what you were wearing and writing (37F) and that is one of the reasons
I have not been fishing lately....(cold weather and healing from a sore leg etc) other than
tossing a few swimbaits from shore a few times for an hour or so.
Anyway it is always fun to see your posts and you not letting the cold weather stop you
from going out and catching some bass. Heck, I really like the number of casts
totals as I have been there many times. Fishing in small bodies of water takes
a lot of patience. Thank for sharing and tight lines always!

[KillinTime]

Very Nice

[JWall]

Smart move ditching the entire spool. A good chance it was all damaged from something (heat/time) and you would have continued failures.

[Bendo]

It might be time to convert to Braid and Leader. Braid lasts a long time because it rarely chafes or contacts structure. You just keep replacing the leader every trip. Braid is more sensitive and you can see it better to detect subtle strikes. It also has no stretch, you can set the hook a lot easier. Also Braid is limp, no “slinky” line on cold mornings. Finally it is much thinner allowing longer casts and deeper presentations as well as more line on your reel should you ever hook a “Freight Train”.( Blue Cat, Flathead) You have a better chance at landing them.

[tomnilll]

It might be time to convert to Braid and Leader. Braid lasts a long time because it rarely chafes or contacts structure. You just keep replacing the leader every trip. Braid is more sensitive and you can see it better to detect subtle strikes. It also has no stretch, you can set the hook a lot easier. Also Braid is limp, no “slinky” line on cold mornings. Finally it is much thinner allowing longer casts and deeper presentations as well as more line on your reel should you ever hook a “Freight Train”.( Blue Cat, Flathead) You have a better chance at landing them.

Well...all of the above was with braid to leader...and it was the leader that kept failing... . It did take me a while to figure out the line to line splice, but have not had a knot fail in a long time...

[Bendo]

OK, just throwing that out there. I have used the Albright knot for over 20 years from Crappie to Bluefin. Easy, quick and secure. As far as leader, Fluorocarbon for the rough work and Maxima mono for Topwater. Mostly 20 Braid to 15 leader, you can really put the wood to them.

[vito1023]

I’ve got hand problems so I find it easier to use braid to small snap and a two foot leader of whatever I feel is right for the fishing I’m going to do ( Bass, Trout or salt water ) it makes it much simpler plus saves a lot of money.
I’ve always wondered if many fishermen do this?

[Fisheromen]

But, but, but, but Randy B. says never use Braid to leader!!! He knows everything!

[VinnyBass]

Straight braid for this guy no leaders ever.
It’s like using 30 pound braid with a 10 pound liter and then the bass breaks the leader. What’s the point of even having 30 -40 pound braid if the leader breaks especially if you’re fishing in heavier cover. I imagine a lot of guys use braid so they can cast further and use a leader but it to me it’s either straight braid or straight fluoro or mono.
And of course, this is no jab at Mcfish or Fisheromen …… but I would love to see Mcfish try to pull a bass out of heavy cover down at the San Diego River with all the junk in that water with a light leader line…

[Fisheromen]

Straight braid in a tube = Anchored to the bottom when hung up! Sometimes I need the leader to be a breaking point!

[VinnyBass]

Straight braid in a tube = Anchored to the bottom when hung up! Sometimes I need the leader to be a breaking point!

OK...that is actually smart or you just need some braid scissors so that you don't stay anchored there till the lake closes and
opens again. Maybe a flare gun also to shoot up in the air to alert McFish you need help. He probably will charge you, but if
I am on the lake I will always help you. That's what friends do.

[Mcfish]

Straight braid in a tube = Anchored to the bottom when hung up! Sometimes I need the leader to be a breaking point!

OK...that is actually smart or you just need some braid scissors so that you don't stay anchored there till the lake closes and
opens again. Maybe a flare gun also to shoot up in the air to alert McFish you need help. He probably will charge you, but if
I am on the lake I will always help you. That's what friends do.

I have very reasonable rates for people anchored to the bottom....

[Mcfish]

Straight braid for this guy no leaders ever.
It’s like using 30 pound braid with a 10 pound liter and then the bass breaks the leader. What’s the point of even having 30 -40 pound braid if the leader breaks especially if you’re fishing in heavier cover. I imagine a lot of guys use braid so they can cast further and use a leader but it to me it’s either straight braid or straight fluoro or mono.
And of course, this is no jab at Mcfish or Fisheromen …… but I would love to see Mcfish try to pull a bass out of heavy cover down at the San Diego River with all the junk in that water with a light leader line…

You need at least 60lb test to pull a bass through all those homeless bodies down by the River! I prefer bodies of water....that don't have bodies in them.....!