J Francho

That won't get bit, it doesn't have a pretty paint job!

I believe angling-technologies has an online map available. It's a $15 subscription for their service.

Those Joe's Flies spinners produce. Up here, they're not legal until you cut off the treble stinger, but they still work well. A nice brown on a tough day in the mid teen temperatures a couple of winters ago: click me. Caught it slipping a Joe's Fly into a log jam from upstream.

On the bang for the buck-o-meter, I give this an 8. You can probably fish a heluva lot more than just shaky heads with it as well. St. Croix Avid AVS63MLXF Shimano CI4 2500 Invisx 6# What and why: for vertical drop shot in 15 feet or more water with zero cover. The rod is short, helps keep my bait in the cone when in 200 kHz mode on both the kayak and bass boat, is perfect for detecting tiny "lift" and "pressure" bites you get from stingy smallmouth, the line is thin enough to get additional bites, and strong enough for tough smallies. it is stretchier than others, but that's good when you get a strong fish on a short leash by the boat. The reel has an upgraded Carbontex drag, set up wet. I really appreciate the rapid line pickup that the 6:1 ratio offers. I think it's 34 IPT or something close. All in all, a joy to use. Good enough for the avatar fish, a 5 lb. 12 oz. Erie smallie.

PB Blaster and an impact driver. I remember the old Evinrude on the '62 Penn Yan being a PITA.

LOL, why can you only throw it with three hook points, when you can legally throw a jerkbait with nine?

Ahhh, thanks for the bird dog on a jig with that type of guard. Nice finesse jig, but totally inappropriate for much of my type of fishing.

It wouldn't be easy at all, without tools. They'd have to own some special Torx style wrench or cut the cables. Not impossible, but not without tools. Besides, if they're after the electronics, they have to take the bumper. You sure those missing tailgates you see aren't intentional? A lot if guys up here take them off in winter.

On a jig?

Sounds like you need some fish handling tools, like a lip gripper and a pliers. Catfish don't have scales, and produce a ton of slime coat. It's doubtful that you hurt it's skin, beyond all repair - they are tough customers. The biggest deal I see is keeping fish out of the water too long. Some cats can gulp air, but that's of limited use. Get them unhooked and released as quickly as possible. If that means adding tools to your arsenal, then do it.

I trim out, just based on "feel." Works for me.

Start in our articles section. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/flipping_pitching.html

No one can really answer that question without knowing what lake and what kind of fry they were.

You might want to verify your information:

Yep, a pool thermometer is easy to read, and durable. Plus it keys in on temps normally found when fishing. An aquarium thermometer usually focuses on 70-90° range.

It's a pretty specific tool for specific circumstances. You aren't just going to toss this along a weed line for resident bass. You are looking for schooling, nomads that key in on large bait balls. They really seem like a different bass altogether, if you've been on them.

Your sack will be bigger, though not because the fish are bigger than other times of the year, but because the largest fish in the lake are more vulnerable during the spawn.

The Fuego is lighter, made of magnesium, which commands a higher price. Both are discontinued, and value can be determined using a search on ebay of completed auctions.

Yep, always stop and ask if they look like they need help. If anything, it promotes the idea of aiding someone else to them. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped to ask, to hear them tell me they were just waving. OK, next time don't be so enthusiastic, LOL.

I don't know if it gives you "more control" necessarily, but there are more switches and knobs to turn, LOL. My complaint with the system is not that it doesn't work - it works fine - but it adds unsprung weight, which inhibits startup. I doubt everyone would notice the difference, but I can when casting side by side with a really light spool.

Lots of practice.

How about a round of applause for DVT Mike! He'll be here all week, tip your bartenders, and please try the veal! :lol: :lol:

The fish in my avatar says, "Nay!" She is biased, though.

Pics, or it didn't happen!

The article describes bass moving from their winter locations to spawning grounds. Jerkbaits are an intercept tool. Just reverse that analogy to intercepting them on their way from summer locations to winter locations. Essentially, wherever you found them in spring, they should be close.