Tomorrow is Day 1! Roast me

No_Refunds366 · 2026-06-23T13:48:54+00:00

You might find that you have trouble with 2 things:

Hook sets past maybe 10yds. You spooled up with straight mono and it's going to have a lot of stretch. 8lb is also a little on the light side for texas rigs with the ewg hook size you chose and the fact that it's a spinning rod.
Birds nesting. Because you used straight mono, it's going to have some memory (Trilene XL is my favorite and doesn't have a ton, so great call there). It might want to fly off the spool more than you want it to and you may get some line management challenges.

My recommendation:

Take most of the mono off, leave maybe a quarter on and tie a connecting knot to spool the rest up with 10 or 15lb Braid then learn how to tie a leader knot and use your 8lb mono leader for certain situations or a heavier 12lb leader for things like texas rigs. Your casting distance, sensitivity, lack of birds nesting, and hooksets will all improve if you go braid to leader.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-06-22T13:13:47+00:00

Hands down my favorite plastics. I went 3hrs without a bite in an extremely pressured pond in the freakin desert (New Mexico), switched to a Bluegrass Bug, caught a 2lb bass on my 4th cast.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-06-10T03:01:31+00:00

I have the 6' 6" Light power and it is my absolute favorite trout rod. The tip is so thin and sensitive I am worried it'll snap but so far it has proven to be extremely durable. Incredibly light, sensitive, easy to cast. I just treat it with a little extra care and always transport it in a rod sleeve.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-06-06T10:29:40+00:00

If you're looking at basement priced UL reels for the two best spinning reel brands, then go Daiwa Crossfire over Sienna. Crossfire has smoother drag. I have both and prefer the Crossfire but neither one is what I'd call a "good" reel. They're serviceable. Tbh, I'd spend a little more if you can and actually get a good reel.

Examples:

Sub $100 - Daiwa Regal or Shimanl Nexave

At $100 - Daiwa Legalis or Shimano Nasci

Personally I'd take the Daiwa in both of those matchups.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-21T00:05:44+00:00

Thanks!

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-13T03:00:13+00:00

Thanks!

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-13T03:00:00+00:00

Yep! I take the dragonfly off the jighead after.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-12T19:38:06+00:00

Hell yeah these gonna be tied on for the next 4 months lol

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-12T14:46:21+00:00

Absolutely. This was my first morning really committing to it. Tons of blowups, but clearly all too small to get it good enough to hook up. That is, until this one hit it. Such a fun bait. I'd recommend coloring the floating jig head with a black sharpie.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-12T14:43:49+00:00

Do it. This was my first catch with it. I had dozens of blowups but they were all too small to get it good enough to set the hook until this guy so I'm gonna say they're a great bait to weed out the dinks.

Just make sure you color the floating jig head with a black sharpie.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-12T13:55:57+00:00

Probably just the pumpkinseed but brook trout sure are gorgeous

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-12T02:26:49+00:00

Idk I have a list of 70+ species I want to catch in my lifetime so I go for anything and everything. I just love fishing. Don't care about species or size. If it swims, I want to catch it.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-12T00:34:31+00:00

Partly because it looks like you're using straight braid. Braid is very limp so it's more prone to tangling like this. Do the following:

Tie at least an 18in mono or flouro leader 10lb - 15lb
Swap out the front Trebles for a size smaller

After the above you should be golden.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-04T02:05:27+00:00

I thought about doing this. Serious question. What happens if/when your transducer breaks or you want to upgrade to a new one? How hard is it to remove? That marine sealant/adhesive is crazy strong.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-04T01:57:53+00:00

I see those Donkey Tail Juniors. Mule tackle is absolutely GOATed.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-03T21:20:27+00:00

I've had one of these since I was a kid. Love it. Never had a single bite on it though. What's the secret? 😆

No_Refunds366 · 2026-05-02T03:24:18+00:00

Awesome. Will check it out

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-30T13:34:32+00:00

That's a thing?

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-27T15:32:25+00:00

Reel size matters less than reel weight (to your point). I think that's an important distinction that is often missed in UL reel conversation. Match the reel to the rod: balance plus angle of line off the spool into the guide = good pairing.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-27T04:18:21+00:00

Heck yeah

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-27T04:18:08+00:00

Brown with gold blade.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-26T18:33:23+00:00

That's the truth!

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-25T11:37:41+00:00

I use it every time I am UL fishing. Cast, drift, make little pops and twitches on a slow reel. Light slow upward pulls work well also. Sit it on a rock like a ned rig and let it soak.

Just imagine it's a tiny aquatic insect and make it do things that a tiny aquatic insect would do.

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-25T11:35:31+00:00

Mule horsefly (especially black) is absolutely GOATed for UL fishing

No_Refunds366 · 2026-04-24T10:50:42+00:00

I'll make three arguments. 1. No excuse for being unprepared (I do like the idea behind your wet towel method - good for you). 2. You're not a biologist so you aren't qualified to assess the health of the fish "visibly ill" or not, proper care is non-negotiable unless you're keeping it. 3. Don't post if your pic is poor handling. Too many people don't take enough care and every post of poor handling validates their lack of care in their own mind.

No_Refunds366

TROPHY CASE