Good Year 71

Or just fish one of the 1000's of other baits... I'm cool covering nut, plus shipping, maybe a little extra for trouble, but that's it. I'm talking like 15% over retail tops. Anything beyond that is sucker territory. Not my style. Sole exception would be collectibles. Beyond that no thanks.

If bent horizontal then yes. If bent vertical probably not.

Since multiple asking I'll chime in. Recently got 1520, liked it so much went and bought another. I own a LOT of reels. All Daiwa or Daiwa base concept. LIN 10, Ryoga 1016, 2020, Z, Shrapnel, bunch 100 class, all high quality. Short story, I've been waiting on this 1520 for years. Initial thoughts are the smoothest factory delivered reel I've owned. Ever. The micro gearing is real. Strong drag, with clicker. The cast control is non click, infinite adjustment, the SV spool is nice. Loaded it with 30lb true test fluoro and it handled great. My concerns; I'm not 100% on the quick disconnect sideplate access. Seems legit, time will tell. It's Daiwa so how bad could it be I figure. Really easy spool access. Second, and the more important part, I have read two horror stories about these. Both fixable I'm sure, to which I attribute early release quirks. I find it exceptionally unlikely Daiwa would wait so long to distribute these, with the Ryoga name no less, if they weren't legit tanks. It sure feels like one, palms exceptionally easy, butter smooth. Literally disappears in hand and crank torque is seamless. I'd venture anyone who drops coin would be very pleased.

The stupid 'Urban' Dictionary suggest Original Gangster. Oddly, it does not mention 'Rural' definition of Old Guard. That's what it was when I was a kid before all the modern bling bling. Back then if you were an outcast it was cool if that's who you were, but now it's cool just because. Apparently. And, apparently, it's acceptable to give two middle fingers to the entire planet. I guess. But we didn't have unisex bathrooms then or transgender flaunting themselves either so what do I know. It's Old Guard

4 & 8 have too much above to detract from profile IMO. Personally, I like #6.

Yeah, damn delta can be a death trap. Those who don't fish it simply don't understand. I got some funds on it, pulling for the both of them.

You're dealing with a very smart fish. You'll have to trick it. Figure location and dead stick that bait. I'm talking the type dead stick nobody does, don't touch it for 15 minutes. No joke. Pickup could happen here. Sounds crazy, but that fish has seen it all before. All but this. That's why it will work. If nothing, slight twitch a few inches to show life every 30 seconds or so and stay on point. That fish will know from a great distance, its territory vast. Keep a finger on your line and be ready. Good luck.

Darken it with black permanent marker. It won't flash and the shadow will disappear easily within surrounding light.

I've seen 1520 but no 2020 that I'm aware of. I'll be buying first release for sure. Been waiting years for this.

Available for years now. Nothing new. Love my Craft, bait isn't for me though. Check out the review http://tackletour.com/reviewgancraftsoftjointclaw.html

Matt's a great fellow. He ranks in my book, solid professional. Tends to ignore his friends sometimes though...

If possible, Owner is the only brand I throw and routinely swap out of my pathetic OCD confidence habit. I've swapped several hundred st36/st41 and there is absolutely nothing wrong with cutting points. The key here is that st36/st41 are direct replacements for one other. All things equal, you will NOT get the same hookset with 41 as you do 36 if for no reason other than increased wire diameter. As such, on 41's they utilize cutting points better able to 'stick' fish instead. I'll agree cutting points don't 'sink' as well, usually, but I'm highly confident they do indeed 'stick' better. I've carried near identical baits armed with each and have experienced this phenomenon side by side. It's real. There is a ever so slight weight difference between them as 41's are more stout, of course, but beyond that chose your poison. Personally, after giving them a fair shake I tend to prefer the 41 cutting point more often than not. I can see and understand if others wouldn't agree with this assessment, but I'd bet I use 41's over 36's by a ratio of about 4 to 1 or thereabout. I've got several packs of 36 ready to grab, but I've got a whole box full of 41. They're great.

You had the right bait, but the wrong color

Depends entirely upon hatchery vs water they're placed. Many trout species, many hatchery hybrid. And that's what they are, hybrid. From what I'm aware, hatchery fish are sterile in being cross fertilized with salmon. At least those I've seen here in NorCal. The idea is to not dilute natural species genetic while assisting anglers, or consumers at restaurants and grocery outlet, while providing sport and substance. Moreover, a sterile fish grows much faster given roughly 25% of natural lifecycle is destined to reproduction. Without it, that is 25% more time to feed. On top of 25%, on top of 25%, and so on as the fish ages. They grow very quick compared what one might think. They are not close to the same.

Well done. I make a habit of taking out more than I bring in. It's easy.

Outstanding video

Agreed. Big fish are big because they're smart, they won't chase unless committed. Takes too much energy. Key is to note where it came from and quickly offer follow up of something different before their mood changes. Hunger or defense irrelevant.

This is interesting. I understand dynamic, though not particularly sold on it. One thing I know for certain, weight of build notwithstanding, I love me some spiral wrap for anything outside topwater or rip bait application.

Name?

Too light and wrong style. This is designed to be stressed from single point of contact, hence line tie. A round ring absorbs stress equally throughout. This does not. It will bend out.

I don't know... considering line out and same test to provide reliable hookset at similar distance otherwise, likely culprit is sag and flex of wood it's running accross. Less stretch would help, but with braid it'll cut in rather than run across the wood which is even worse. I'd consider sticking to FC and upsize test before using braid.