J Francho

Rod moves the bait: faster reel. Reel moves the bait: slower reel. There are exceptions to the rule.

Nice job guys. Some of those yaks make mine look almost modest, LOL.

If the weeds are wrapped between the bill and line tie, you moving too fast, and not stopping the bait quick enough. I was messing with a DD22 in coontail yesterday, and they are little tougher to get through than something with a wider, sweeping lip, like the DT baits. If the weeds are getting stuck to the hooks, you may want to try another hook. Owner Stinger ST-36 are so sharp, it usually only takes a pop or two to free the weeds. A moderate action, graphite rod really helps with the feel part here. Another tip is reel the bait down, and once its in the cover, "feel" the bait through by using the rod, not the reel, to move the bait. Feel the bait contact cover, wait a few seconds for the lure to back out, and continue. Lose the wiggling "feedback" from the bait, and wait a few seconds longer, and give it two or three hearty, slack line snaps. You're going to get fouled, and some spots just dictate a different type of bait. You aren't looking for thick weeds, but weedbeds with "channels" or "routes" where baitfish move to access different water depths to feed. Finally, if your father was banging them on worms, switch to worms

Norman and Bomber.

I vaguely recall the earlier In-Fisherman story, but never would have made the connection. That's an interesting history. Hey RW, did your issue of IF have staples in it?

I've done this for years when dragging doesn't produce. I buddy of mine uses another, high speed, swimming retrieve on rocky flats with good success. I've never worked that one out. What I have found when working these heavy tubes, is to use a moderate action rod, which helps absorb the smallie antics, and keeps them from throwing the heavy jig. Take a look at Bite Me Big Dudes tube jigheads.

I use a St. Croix Avid AVC70MM for small cranks. It wings those little peanut cranks a mile, and has plenty of back bone for big fish. Paired with a Daiwa Sol, its a very light and balanced combo. For heavier baits, I step up to an AVC70MHM.

Are your cranks down there where you Dad's worm is? The key to cranks is contact. If you're hauling water, you are usually wasting your time.

Nice find! So they are stink bombs, LOL.

You sure it wasn't muriatic acid?

5 minutes to Irondequoit bay and Lake Ontario. 5 bays within an hour drive. Most Finger Lakes and Oneida are 2 hours or less.

We can always spot the PA snaggers in winter on our trout streams...they fish with a flyrod loaded with mono and a gumball sized split shot about 12' above the hook. The last giveaway is the license pinned to their hat, LOL.

1,614,788.8372 mg.

There lies the rub...if its "comfortable" but can't get the job done, what's the point. I think most of the so called "frog rods" are more about fishing a frog, and less about catching fish on a frog. Heavy cover fishing is a unique situation, where your gear has to account for an "exit strategy" once you get bit. BTW, I'm a little guy, short and skinny, LOL, and I find longer rods actually suit me better and serve as an equalizer.

That is a good point. Its a comfort factor for me. I actually think you are probably right though, based on my personal experience catch some big fish in heavy cover. Last week I stuck a 6-1 (3rd six of the year, and second largest of the year) from a completely weed choked pond on a frog. I really think the long, heavy power rod was key in landing that fish. It was a leverage factor. No way I land that fish with a rod shorter than 7', no way. It just isn't the most comfortable thing to walk a frog with a big rod. Glad I was using the big gun though

I like the Reaction Strike hooks. Also take a look at Owner Beast.

Phhht! I am a life long Yankme fan. Evil Empire, my foot! Maybe the Evil Empire from Jedi, LOL...

Just got done watching the Yanks win. Mo's 24th save, and the Yanks' 26th come from behind win. Awesome.

Following baseball is the national pastime. Baseball itself is a game, sometimes played by athletes. I love it.

I remember when 5:1 was "High Speed." I think most of those older Garcias were 3.something to one. I really don't think it makes any difference, unless you are looking for a new reel. 6.3:1 is going to feel a lot faster, and you'll have to make a conscious adjustment. The difference between say, 5.8:1 and 6.3:1 is almost unnoticeable. A better measure is inches per turn. Take out some line, mark it at the tip top. Make one full turn of the crank, and mark the tip top again. Measure the distance. Compare. A general guideline, with some exceptions: rod moves the bait: faster ratio, greater inches/turn reel moves the bait: slower ratio, lower inches/turn

I'm torn on this...part of me is very entertained, and drawn to the spectacle, another makes me wonder if the guys that make this need a real hobby....like fishing

I have pretty much the same rod in the LTBC70MF, and I don't know why you aren't using it. Its pretty much a general duty type of rod, capable at most anything. Just because it says "Jerkbait" doesn't mean that's all you can use it for. Before 7' rods were in vogue, a 6'6" M/F rod was what everyone used for practically everything.

I don't us any spool tension or brakes for pitching - its all thumb.

I use a Kistler Flippin' Special, 7-6 H/MF for both. Its a little long for frogging, but I make do.

8 is about right for NY. I've only seen two fish bigger reported in the past five or six years on the local boards. One was a little over 8 and the other 9 and change, IIRC. In response to Dwight's original question my personal goal is to get over 8. I've broken through 7, with a 7-2, so the next logical step is an 8+. Last year, I had one fish in the 6 lb. class, and that came at the end of summer. This year, I already have three, 6-0, 6-1, and 6-8, two of which came on the same trip. Its been a hell of a year for me. For smallies, its much more incremental. My largest to date is 5-4. This year I caught my 2nd biggest at 5-0 during the spawn. I witnessed an ex-girlfriend catch the biggest smallie I've ever seen, a 6-4 back in the mid 90s. I'd like to break the six barrier on the smallie, but I suspect I'd have to fish Erie for it. I just don't think Lake Ontario is there yet. Maybe there is a beast wandering my neck of the woods. I'll take anything <=5