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What are some things to consider to increase casting distance using 10lb line when casting lighter lures/jigs/worms. I can't decrease the line weight due to snags/pads etc. Spinning gear only. Should I increase the spool size? Lighter weight rod? Longer rod? Any advice welcomed.

I don't feel so bad now. Even the pros have trouble!

I thought I would save a few bucks and just buy the tire and put it on a spare rim I came across. Big screwdriver and a tire iron was all I had. Next time I think I will just pay the extra $10 and get a mounted tire on a new rim. Pain In The A.. to put that little sucker on there!! I finally got it on, but did not find an easy way to do it. Anyone have some tips on doing this that would make the job easier?

So store it in the position it would be in when in the water?

Thanks for the tip. That is a wise move.

80s Malibu 14 ft fiberglass trihull skiff/fisher. Bimini top. 25hp Mercury. Motor Guide 54 trolling motor. Trailer. Humminbird LCR4 ID wired up. Wheeled boat dolly to move it around on paved surface. Other things like anchor, anchor winch, cover, ropes, tanks, etc. Price was $500. I took a chance on it. Boat was in the water and functioning fine 3 years ago. Boat will need pressure washing. Hull and floors are fine. Carbs will need cleaning out. Good compression. Anyone know anything about these Malibu boats?

I would go to Craigslist and buy a $1K boat and invest the remainder. Lot's of nice used boats on there. Folks who have lost jobs and need money are selling them.

I was only talking about thinning the lip right on the very front edge where it cuts through the water, hoping to maintain good wobble.

The DD14 was not on sale!

The cats in the lake come in close at night and feed on the zillions of small bream. I catch the bream on a light tackle set up and hook them with large circle hooks on my cat rods. Toss them out and set the drag to the point where they can pull line and just wait till I hear line spooling off the reel, or I will go back up to the house and we will watch TV and I will check the rods ever hour or so. The drag is set so the fish will have to pull pretty good. Usually they will spool off about 1/3 of the line and then just lay on the bottom and doze! 8-) It is a 325 mile round trip, but I tell you it has been so worth every trip. We are making up for a lot of lost time over the years as this will be the only chance we have. Funny how just everyday junk will get in the way of staying close to your family sometimes, but I swore that when I found out he was sick, that I would not just let him slip away without spending as much time as I can with him. I will miss him when he is gone, but I sure will feel a heck of a lot better knowing how much he appreciated me spending some time with him. We caught a lot of fish when we were kids...and we're catching them now!

Got some Norman DD22s at a sale. They dive too deep. Want to reduce the lip size and make them run a bit shallower. Belt sander and some fine grit paper...easy job. Reduced the lip size on a couple with good results. Before I do any more, can someone give me some advice. Is it better to reduce just the front lip or the sides also? What happens when you thin the front edge? A pointed end as opposed to a rounded end? Contoured sides as oppossed to straighter? What modification gives more wobble? Less? etc etc. Any info will be appreciated. These lures are the big size I want. The shallower running lures are smaller. Thanks.

You learned something. That is an important aspect of fishing. Wait a week or so and try the exact same bait at the exact same time. I have caught fish that I missed repeating the scenario. At least you know the fish is there.

I posted this before to no avail. I want to make some squirrel tail jigs. Surely someone here has made one. I have some nice tail tips about 3-4" long. Before I just get some jigs and tie the things on and then add some plastic, does anyone have a good design they would like to share.

Payola! 8-)

d**n!!!!! Sorry, I did not know what else to say. Incredible job.

Two words of advice "Liquid Wrench".

There is a bait shop that I go to that sells rooster livers. They stay on the hook much better that hen livers.

Let me see here....I don't know what it is, but I would have shot it... It is a carp. It eats all kinds of grass and stuff that helps the lake stay cleaner and provides a better environment for the fish. Don't shoot it!! The fish is much more valuable alive in the lake than on the end of an arrow.

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/ All you need to know right here.

In the majority of lakes it is legal to catch small bream and use them for cat bait. Rig up a light weight rod with some 4lb line and a drop shot will a small bell weight on the end and a cricket hook about 12" up the line. Take that cricket hook and rebend the curve so it is smaller so you can hook some smaller bream. Put just a small piece of worm on the barb and toss it out and bring your line tight so you can feel the little tap of the bream. Catch you about 6 or 8 and then rig up a cat rod with a circle hook and a egg sinker about 3/4oz. Toss out a couple of rigs and set your drag to where the line is just a bit hard to pull and that way the cat will hook himself when he picks up the bream. You can rig you up several cat rods and then put them in a rod holder and go do some bass fishing. Just check on them every now and then. Make sure to set the rods in the holders such that they cannot be pulled out of the holders. You would be surprised what a 20lb cat can pull!!! Good luck!

I had hooked this one a few weeks ago and lost him. Last night I was fishing the same spot same time of the evening and same bait and hooked him again. I got my brother on the walkie-talkie and had him come down to the dock I was fishing from and do all the reeling and fighting and I handled the net. My brother has blood cancer and is very sick. As you can see by the pic, he has lost all his teeth and a lot of weight. He is doing as well as he can and I am proud of him. I visit him every other week over in Alabama and if he is feeling decent I get him out fishing. He lives on a beautiful 60 acre lake. Nice cat. Released him.

Do a compression test. That will tell you a whole lot. If you are afraid of buying a used motor then don't. If you can't afford a new one, then what choice do you have. Anytime you buy a boat and a motor, you best always be prepared to invest some more money into it at some point. Given the situation economically today, boats and motors are a great deal right now. Lot's of folks selling them due to job loss and business turn downs.

If you catch one of the monster carp be sure to put it back in the lake.

In reading up on the Fla. bass that get stocked, there is a period of time within the first 8-10 years where the fish will bite all sorts of offerings and THEN they become very hard to catch on lures and plastics. Don't know why, just the way they are. There is another strain of bass bred in Alabama called Tiger bass. They remain much more aggresive and grow fast. You say that a management Co. is going to introduce shad. You are going to even have a harder time when that is done. I fish a 50 acre lake in Alabama just like you are describing. I have caught 10+ pounders, but it is tough going. I have not tried live bait yet, but that is something that I might resort to. BIG shiners might be the ticket. Also you might try the Bill Murphy "stitching" method which is a split shot rig fished so slow that it will drive you crazy. Some times the slowest method is what it takes to attract a big bass in lakes you are describing. When the shad start happening wait until you find a school of bass "herding" the shad. Then use the biggest plug you have and bring it back through the shad at or near the bottom. That is where the big bass are laying just waiting for shad to fall to the bottom when the young buch bass bust through the surface shad. That works for me on the lake I fish.

Instead of being upset, he should have asked you for some advice. I am sure you would have offered it and a few grubbs to go with it.