J Francho

High Power Herring. Three fish in 20 minutes from a flat I figured was devoid of life. http://fishatl.com/swimbait.html

LMAO!

That's loser talk right there, LOL. I NEVER think to myself, "Gee, I hope we lose to the Tigers, cos if we win we're helping Cleveland" LMAO. You need wins. Seven games isn't as big a lead in mid August as you think. Ask those quadruple A Mets.

Those work, but after one or two fish, they're toast. Look for Cortland Toothy Critter in 10 and 15# size. It's a tieable leader, basically plastic coated steel. Works great, and allows you to fish t-rigs, jigs, and wacky hooks with ease. Fish don't mind either.

We cross posted Crestliner... DING DING DING!!!! Thanks for that.

That article doesn't mention "drop shot" once. It talks about the tube being a "drop" bait, meaning the allure of it is on the fall. Change the jig weight to affect the fall rate, and trigger a bite. I do think that the article is a bit close minded, though. Tell a guy on Erie that you can't fish a tube deeper than 10' or so, and he'll laugh and tell you about a six pounder caught in 40 feet of water. Tubes can be dragged, hopped, and swam back to the boat as well. You also never want to try t-rigging a tube, that will never work, LOL.

Sam, Yanks are in 1st right now, with a 1/2 game lead. It's been neck and neck since the break.

Well, that was yesterday when I had a bunch to sell, LOL. I'm actually a Daiwa guy...Sols, TD-A, TD-X, Zillions, etc. Probably getting some T3 Ballistics later this year.

Too much throttle in reverse.

Some basics you should know: http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/trimtilt899.htm

Nice! How to deal with those pike, LOL:

Here's a nice article: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/thermocline.html

Where a thermocline intersects a significant piece of structure would be a place I fished....

Through the membrane on their bottom lip.

Try now, the "." somehow was included with the link.

About as good as you'll get: http://www.scalesonline.com/933/HangingFishing%20Scales/Chatillon-IN-Series-Handheld-Linear-Scale.aspx Much more accurate than any cheap digital.

You weren't kidding when you said UGLY, LOL.

I'll give you another reel that isn't bass ready off the shelf, and it will shock some, and others will even passionately dispute my opinion. Of the 14 that I currently service on a yearly basis, six have had MAJOR issues with normal bass fishing stress. Ready? Steez. In all flavors. As much as I hate it, being a Daiwa guy, it's true. Just because the literature says it's for this or that, doesn't mean it can stand up to it.

"With all due respect....." then something contradictory, LOL. I tend to offer advice that borders on the CONSERVATIVE. Your mileage may vary.

There shouldn't be any bass below the thermocline.

Never had a problem with them. They're also great when your partner sticks a 5/0 worm hook in his hand, LOL.

Split ring pliers are for opening the split rings up to attach the hook. They help, but not for cutting hooks. I don't see how a $6 pair of linesman pliers are "extreme." They're the tool you want, and won't wear out. They'll also cut through spinner bait wire, split rings, and are useful for making steel leaders for pike fishing.

Cut the hook off with linesman's pliers. Add a split ring, then add a hook.

That was then, this is now: http://www.pinnaclefishing.com/shop/p-90-deadbolt-slyder.aspx#page=page-2

Good luck, bro!