Big-O

5/0 to 6/0 Owner Twistlock hook is the best all around big worm hook I've found and for many reasons... Bend and gap provides excellent hook up %'s compared to standard Wide gaps Twist lock is a screw with centering pin to perfectly center spring into the head of bait The screw or spring takes all of the pressure when casting or pulling through grass instead of hook bend Head of bait rarely wears out, and if so bite it down a bit Super strong hook Extra Sharp http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_94769_100010002_100000000_100010000_100-10-2 They have a keel weighted as well in this design Big O www.ragetail.com

Glad you like'em J and if you get a chance, pls take the time to fish it on a 5/0 1/8 to 3/16 keel weighted screwlok or twist lock hook. Over grass and slow fishing like picking thru it with a weighted tx rig is one of my favorite techniques. The bait settles on the top of the grass instead of penetrating it head first and with the horizontal fall with tail wagging above....it's hard for any fish to resist whether in grass or open water. The slower fall rate and sultry action is often the key to strikes. Any big curl tail worm can be fished successfully this way but the Annie has a different and more obvious tail action. I will often tip the end of the tail with a bright color for added flash.... Hope you enjoy it Big O www.ragetail.com

As a matter of fact, the added salt in the bag is for absorbing, diluting and masking any scent that the fishermans hands might transfer to the bait while hooking it up. Of course it will be discarded on the first cast. Not absolutely necessary if there is sufficient salt injected in the bait itself. It is also a sales ploy for some manufacturers because they might not include enough salt in the plastic which is an expensive part of production, thus cutting costs. The large crystal salt is less expensive than the finely ground type that is used in injection molded plastics. Hope that helps...... Big O www.ragetail.com

This is one time in your life that you won't get scolded for Monkying around too much ;D Your smile and raw thumb says it all and glad you had a great time, Big O www.ragetail.com

Next phase JIG'a'MANIAC...... but it's a fun way to be Kudos Big O www.ragetail.com

At least you have a smile on your face and can laugh it off. After all it's fishing and sounds like a real adventure that you'll remember. Congratulations to Cam Big O www.ragetail.com

The tail of the Anaconda is extended very far toward the front of the bait and makes the tail heavier than other worm designs. Sometimes over casting or excessive rod whip can cause the tearing you are referring to or if you are fishing alot of heavy bladed grass, ripping thru the grass can cause this as well. Big O www.ragetail.com

Have fought the Skin Cancer thing for many years and wasn't aware of the Anthelios that Rolo mentioned.........Thanks WRB and Rolo for the great info. It has been ordered and maybe I can fish a few more daytime trips in the future Big O www.ragetail.com

I keep a trash bag in one of my back storage compartments and all trash and discarded line as well as any line that winds up on my trolling motor and engine prop, goes in the bag. While filming underwater footage of my new designs recently with Kim Stricker (Hook'n'Look), I was extremely disappointed to see all of the trash that people just toss in the lake. It looked like a trash dump on the bottom of the lake in many places and all responsible fisherman should take a stand to eliminate such disregard to our wonderful resources. On many bodies of water, the abandoned trot lines are also an eyesore and a terrible situation for the water systems. Thanks Chris for noting the fishing line situation because it is just another sign of irresponsible people that have care less attitudes. Big O www.ragetail.com

WTG AA and congratulations to your lovely wife......Nice to see that she loves fishing as much as you Now that's a real Fathers Day gift right there Big O www.ragetail.com

X2......The EWG's hook point on most hook brands are basically in line with the hook eye which impedes the point from always finding the fish's jaw. The offset straight shank round bend hooks are designed with a different angle and have more opportunity to hook up for you Big O www.ragetail.com

There is a fix for your situation and it is all about slowing down and keeping a smile on your face while you pick your way thru and solve this little problem An important and simple technique to consider that is responsible for catching thousands of finicky bass is to peg a 1/8 to 3/16 oz bullet weight 12" above a 3/0 offset round bend hook with a 6" green pumpkin lizard. Dip 1 inch of the tip of the tail in chartreuse JJ's dye then cast it out and allow it to fall completely to the bottom. Slowly lift your rod tip and slowly drag the bait forward 1 ft or so and pause for 10 seconds. Repeat the process all the way back to you.....Don't change a thing, over and over and over. Move you position after fan casting and fishing your area completely sometme fishing the same areas more than once. Don't change anything the entire outing. You will catch more than one fish per outing and probably many more than two.....Now go gett'em Big O www.ragetail.com

Hey Russ, I don't have Maine Lobsters within 2000 miles of me but I'll eat'em til I'm sick ...... ;D They just look that good. So to a Bass, show'em a Honkin' Rainbow bait like that....and they just gotta have it Big O www.ragetail.com

YES. X2 unless at night can be shallow too Big O www.ragetail.com

If the amount of rain is changing the water depth substantially or constantly changing the surface temps, or keeping the water dirty etc. it makes sense that the fish will be harder to locate or pattern. If you have opportunity to fish the deeper water you will probably find the fish are more predictable and eager to bite because deeper fish are less affected by weather changes. Big O www.ragetail.com

East Tx is not always windy this time of year and watch the wind forcast to help determine your fishing schedule. I have fished night almost exclusively over the past many years and keep a close eye on forecast to help with my plans. The wind does pose a challenge if it's too bad but the fish don't mind it at all especially when they're on deeper structure. Big O www.ragetail.com

Healthy lakes are often top and bottom heavy with some XL model bass and high numbers of smaller bass. If you did not remove the larger fish, they should be there for catching again. If the small fish numbers are over populated, they will deplete the forage and cause less growth opportunity for the entire group. If all large fish are removed and the small fish population increases to over population, none will grow to genetic potential due to the lack of natural forage. So to answer your question, It depends on the overall health of the pond and how it has been managed previously. Of course, The smaller the pond the less large fish there are to be caught. Might fish it at night to see if the larger fish get more active then. Big O www.ragetail.com

Paul in right on the money....and early morning or late evening or at night might be the best times for better activity levels. Big O www.ragetail.com

WTG Soldier, got any of those Bobber Stoppers you can send me....I'm out of'em ;D and if I come out your way, will you take me fishin' too BTW glad you're still havin' some fun on Kentucky Lake. Be safe and tell Brian hey for me Big O www.ragetail.com

Everything you mentioned sounds on the money to me....glass conditions with less than desirable topwater bite, the wind bringing a better bite on winded shorelines and rude folks on the water.....too bad about the last one there but sounds like you guys made the best of things Big O www.ragetail.com

Next chapter......????? Burley must be out by the fire hydrant ;D Big O www.ragetail.com

Congratulations to you both Simp....you and your Dad are tearin' it up Big O www.ragetail.com

Beautiful Fish mlpauley, WTG Man.... Big O www.ragetail.com

WTG young man.......two PB's back to back Big O www.ragetail.com

Hey Simp, the first day we were at the Roadtrip Kentucky Lake I caught a big Drum on a jig in about 8 ft of water. On the hookset, I felt the power of the fish and said to myself..." This lake has some hoggs in it" then after it rolled up and turned at the boat I realized the kind of hogg I had on. It was exciting and depressing at the same time ;D Big O www.ragetail.com