Vets/Devs/Mods... Any suggestions {smh}

[TC915]

So here's my dilemma lol. Just had my 4th or 5th 45min+(rwt) fight w/ what had to have been a 13lb+ bass in Fla., just to have her escape for no reason w/ tension on the line. I want to catch that 13lb+ bass, w/out using an overpowered rig on the smaller trophy bass. I currently use a spinning rig: Prima 3500 w/ 8lb test on a Feather 7' rod, & it catches all bass w/ no reduction in xp, but won't haul in the big girl apparently. I have another spinning rig: 12.1 drag reel, 12lb rod w/ 10lb test line, but it gets reduction arrows on 90% of the smaller bass. I'd rather not use overpowered rig for any fish, not for the xp but just doesn't seem right snatching in fish w/ a rig that takes 2 secs (unsportsmanlike). Do I have to choose between lowered xp on my other fish just to catch that big bass or let that dream die lol? I haven't tested or even purchased a thumb burner (casting reel) yet, figure if I wouldn't use it in real life why would I here lol. Is there a casting reel between the 9.9 & 12.1 that might possibly allow me to stay sportsmanlike w/ the smaller bass yet be adequate enough to land the big girl? Those 45min+ fights just to have them escape for no reason are starting to weigh on me haha. Oh & btw, Team FP owes me a ps4 controller, cause I may or may not have chunked it on this most recent escape haha (j/k of course). Thanks in advance for any suggestions, Good luck & Tight Lines y'all!!  

 

 

[ItsShamee]

try pulling in a uni gar on a your rig not very pleasant haha yh i tend to fish the uni times with heavier rigs then rest on the lighter ones 

[TC915]

Actually snagged a 90lb Uni Alligator Gar in La. a week or so ago (courtesy of tips from Mbv & ViolentV), and surprisingly pulled it in on 20lb test pretty easily, guess I got lucky or it was just a fluke haha. I tell ya tho, this 13lb bass is testing my resolve something fierce lol. 

[Jeff1210]

 I use this exact rig still quite often (unless using heavier lure) and you can get it done. Put the 10 lb line on your prima and you'll be able to increase the drag a little bit, more so than you did with the 8 lb line. Also remember in fights like these that when a fish is pulling if your holding down the reel button its easier for the fish to take line. So many people just hold down the reel button thinking it can't hurt to do so when it can make the difference between a fish escaping to 80 or escaping to 150.

You can also get a lighter heavier pole such as the aurora to do the job with same reel and line. That pole has a little more strength behind it and doesn't lose experience for bass at Carolina let alone Florida. Also throws the heavier lures the featherlight cannot. It will lose experience for panfish and crappie though. Good luck! If you need exact aurora model say so and ill double check it.

Edit: The Aurora 8'2" is the one I use for my heavier lures. It still has light power so it doesn't lose xp.

Edited October 18, 2017 by Jeff1210

[Violentvole]

20lb is fine for gar. Bass are a different story, like yourself I'm either too heavy or too light for LMB. XP is no longer an issue for me so I err on the side of caution and go with a Jigwinner SE and 15lb. Maybe the ultimate setup lies with baitcasting outfits? I hate multipliers both ingame and IRL so no idea.

The uni LMB I had gave me an awesome fight on a Rivertex Zeus SE and 20lb line when I was going for flatheads.

XP is no longer a concern of mine I might add, and those large, um, largemouths still give a great fight on a 15lb setup.

45 minute fights? Wow, I'm all for fairness but IRL that's just stressing the fish unneccesarily. Not a concern if you keep them, and not a concern ingame. But...wow. I'd rather be a little OP and having reasonable length fights than losing anything big after fighting for 40 mins.

The way I see it, you either equip for big LMB and accept the small ones get reeled in, or you continue fishing light and having extended fights ( and losses ). It's a game so there are naturally going to be some disparities compared to real fishing ( it doesn't rain everyday for a start ;-) ). I have an interesting link regarding losses while playing a fish if you're interested.

[TC915]

@Jeff, Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely give it a shot, lol even tho I lost the big'un made 16k on a 5.5+lb+ full trophy net, so have a lil extra to spare. As for holding reel or strike while fish is running, yea I learned that hard way first few days in lol. Now I just let'em run or at most tap strike (L2) periodically to slow'em down, usually works but if not I just leave it be lol.

 

@ViolentV; I'm sure my 12.1 rig would pull'em in, tho take longer than the 15lb setup you used, but either would result in lowered xp. I'm not worried about xp either, lol doesn't matter if it takes another month to knockout these final 3 lvls imo. Just didn't want it to be a "5 sec" fight & feel unsatisfied after trying for so long. As for the link, sure pass it on man, don't want anything just laid out on a silver platter so to speak but definitely ain't too good to take tips or a lil guidance haha.

 

Thanks alot guys, I have a few options to test now & hopefully stop that big'un from taunting me! Info is much appreciated, wish y'all good luck & Tight Lines!

 

[TC915]

Update: Tested the Aurora 8'2", tho instead of spooling Prima 3500 w/ 10lb test, saw that the EspiraMLR 3000 was 11lb drag so threw 10lb test on it. Works like a charm, casts around 180-190ft, no reduction on everything 3.3lbs & up & the 8.1lb'ers put up a decent struggle. Couldn't break the Uni threshold (8.2lbs) today but thinking Uni' should be a nice fight w/out it being so one-sided. Thanks again for suggestions fellas, as always it's much appreciated!