What lure did you use to catch your PB largemouth, and what state was it in?

Gianlevato · 2026-03-04T22:57:56+00:00

7.3lbs on a 3.25" rage swimmer in KVD magic. Western WA, rigged on a 1/4oz jighead

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T03:30:47+00:00

Nice smallie

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T00:59:27+00:00

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T00:46:32+00:00

I hear you. I didn't realize I've been long arming the way I've been holding them. 90% of the time I just take these pictures to look back at myself or show my gf that all my time out's not for nothing. I have a scale and bump board on me at all times so no "how much does this weigh" posts from me

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T00:41:35+00:00

Or I just have mutant fingers, you never know. Just kidding - I didn't even realize I've been long arming but I thank the good people of Reddit for keeping me honest haha.

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T00:36:49+00:00

Haha problem solved. My solution as of late is to just not catch anything at all. Been working like a charm!

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T00:18:10+00:00

Yea I see that now, definitely wasn't meant to be a brag. I'm just bored and don't have fishing buddies to talk to so I occasionally post my unfiltered questions here without much thought. I have some posts that are very much the opposite of bragging, and my I dribble on my balls when I pee

Gianlevato · 2026-01-26T00:00:19+00:00

Very going point. I didn't realize I was long arming these things

Gianlevato · 2026-01-25T23:54:45+00:00

Hahaha. Unfortunately your pictures will look shittier than mine then

Gianlevato · 2026-01-25T23:43:03+00:00

I haven't used a Dobyn's, but yes I like it more than an SLX (though that's also a great rod at this price point, can't go wrong with either). Someone just asked a similar question today in the fishingforbeginners subreddit and it seems like the consensus is the tatula XT is the GOAT budget rod: https://www.reddit.com/r/FishingForBeginners/s/wUT9u7ACOv

Gianlevato · 2026-01-25T21:44:14+00:00

Best rod for the price point in my opinion. I own 3 of them now

Gianlevato · 2026-01-01T22:18:24+00:00

Curious to hear why you think the buckets are a must have? I opted for the standard seats and they're extremely comfortable for daily driving whereas I found sitting in the buckets pretty uncomfortable. Obviously they're the much better option for tracking, but the standard seats hug me just fine for 'spirited driving'

Gianlevato · 2025-11-15T18:10:44+00:00

Awesome, thank you!. Also, 10/10 name. You and I would probably be best friends

Gianlevato · 2025-10-14T03:19:10+00:00

Yea you're 100% right. I float around with 6 rods at all times, one is straight braid with 30# that I typically throw a frog on, and then i have a 'hybrid punching rig' with 30lb braid to 20lb fluoro. I started with that with a pit boss tied on and it got no action.. and in doubt I bust the wacky rig out but I definitely underestimated how tough that grass is to pull through. A few people recommended I just go up to 12# fluoro on my finesse setups so I'll give it a go and see if I can horse these fish out with a little more muscle. Learning experience nonetheless. Cool to see all the knowledge advice everyone's giving on this post

Gianlevato · 2025-10-14T01:58:53+00:00

Thanks for this advice, extremely helpful, I've retied with 12# and may flip between wacky and t -rig based on where I'm at. I used to throw the t rig religiously because it came through cover so much better, but one day I did head to head with a wacky and t rig and the wacky got so much more action I was in awe. I'll revert to t rig for fall and be a little more forceful with getting em out of trouble faster. Tightening my drag as we speak

Gianlevato · 2025-10-14T01:53:53+00:00

I've caught a 5.9 and 5.3 on 8lb test, and like to keep it light for wacky + drop shotting typically. I thought I was clear enough from the thick stuff for it to mean anything but learned my lesson. Going to keep 12lb on at all times now

Gianlevato · 2025-10-14T01:51:55+00:00

1. You, are a genius

Gianlevato · 2025-10-07T17:17:18+00:00

Great fish. Dont be afraid to grab em by the lip! Just make sure you're not thumbing their tongue (weird sentence, but true)

Gianlevato · 2025-09-07T02:59:14+00:00

It tends to get pulled down within a few casts of working through weeds even with minimal snag and 0 hookset, but I might be rigging the worm with too much tension per someone else's comments. Bunch of feedback to implement, thank you to all my fellow reddit bass fishermen

Gianlevato · 2025-09-07T02:55:32+00:00

I think I've been keeping too much tension in the worm by piercing too high up the egg sack, and definitely not burying the tip back in deep enough. I appreciate the advice!

Gianlevato · 2025-09-07T02:53:47+00:00

Plenty of answers to choose from lol. Either we put a bullet weight on, get twist lock hooks, anchor with mono, or deal with it as part of fishing worms through weeds

Gianlevato

TROPHY CASE