J Francho

Just curious about the point behind trying to guess the location that OP obviously doesn't want public. Shouldn't this be carried out over PM?

1st off, is your hook big enough? Wait until you feel the fish on the line, then use the same hookset you would on any other t-rig plastic: reel down, and swing hard. One thing I do, is lube up the frog and the hook with Megastrike. I think the fish holds longer, and the bait slide off the hook easier with the lube.

I like a short, fast rod with a short handle that won't get in the way. I'm using a St. Croix Avid AVC62MXF with a Daiwa Alphas and 10# CXX.

Its just a couple of people. Who knows why. I try to kill them with kindness. Makes them look soft when they respond. Shows they at least have some iota of decency. Makes them look foolish when they spout off.

ROTFLMAO! Great, that's two monitors sprayed with various beverage in as many days.... ;D

and? And what? It was just a bit of interesting trivia.

The caps are uncomfortable to read. I grew up reading books, and books use punctuation and case. I know where you're coming from, and suspect you are typing as you would speak it to someone, and many members will interpret as emphasis. I know I'm guilty of leaving curt responses, but that's how I speak as well. I don't mean to be rude, and that isn't the intention, so I try hard to reread my posts, and make sure the point comes across without being condescending or rude. I think its that type of effort that everyone can put forth to make this a friendly place. As far as not knowing what you're talking about...that isn't always quite as clear. Who is to judge this? How do I know? How do you know? The wrong way may have worked for someone, therefore to them, its the right way. Its best in most situations to offer your experience, and possibly back it up with a picture that illustrates the success you've achieved. Its not about forcing everyone to your way, but its about helping others achieve success. My success is built through my own trial and error, combined with many others' experience. Another part of this is going to be members' genuine enthusiasm and desire to pass on their success. It might be the wrong thing to recommend to you, but for them it was right. Take the Carolina Rig suggestion, recently. A guy is having trouble catching, and someone recommends a C-rig, for fishing the points. You ask what the rig has to do with it, and go on to say that you can hook fish with any rig. While I agree that one should be able to hook fish with any rig, I think that misses the mark. I think a better answer could be formed if the original poster described the fishing conditions a little better, including details about structure and cover. As you well know, the type of terminal rig used is almost always dictated by these factors, and the choice of rigging can be the biggest factor for success, assuming you've located the fish. Anyway, this wasn't supposed to be a critique of your posts, but it kind of turned out that way....stream of consciousness typing....another fault of mine and I apologize, but I do want to say that I value your experience and I do look forward to your contributions. There is always a place for strong personalities combined with wisdom and experience.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! LOL, didn't I say, don't jump on me!!!! Just telling the truth....I don't personally kill bass to eat, but if the opportunity to try one presents itself, why not? So everyone here is clear, all but three bass that I've caught in the past several years have been released.

Its a start!

Rod moves the bait: faster ratio. Reel moves the bait: slower ratio. There are exceptions....

Not true. Keeping the smaller legal bass and releasing the big ones helps the fishery. You want the large fishes' genetics passed on through the spawn as many times as possible. Let me offer another viewpoint that also involves releasing the big ones. Wouldn't that big fish, since its obviously old enough to have spawned many times, have already passed its genes? I mean, its genes aren't any different from when its a 12" to when its 24", right? I feel since that particular fish "made it" that it should be handled carefully, and released. its a one in a millions fish, literally, considering the number of fry that are produced. Here is another thing, while genetics certainly play some part in a fish's maximum size, environment and forage play a much larger part. Just some food for thought... I do honestly think that smaller, just above the legal size taste better. Yes, I've eaten bass, and I prefer smallmouth. Not something I do with any regularity, so don't get all up in arms.

I figured someone would get a kick out of that. Started with a couple Leffe, then went for the "Top Shelf" LOL.

Here's mine, a Prowler Big Game. Paddles like a sheet of plywood, but fishes like a Lund.

Wow, I can has scale? Aww dude, I just spit Genny Light all over my son's laptop

Those are the clean lyrics. This is how the real Lead Belly version goes: Last Saturday night, I got married, me and my wife settled down Now me and my wife are parted, I'm gonna take another stroll downtown Sometimes I live in the country, sometimes I live in town Sometimes I take a great notion, to jump into the river and drown I love Irene, God knows I do, I'll love her till the seas run dry But if Irene should turn me down, I'd take the morphine and die Stop rambling, stop your gambling, stop staying out late at night Go home to your wife and your family, stay there by your fireside bright Irene goodnight, Irene good night Good night Irene, good night Irene I'll see you in my dreams

Irish? I always thought this was distinctly American Folk. Got any sources? If its true, then I'm wayyy off.

Its in the FAQs.... http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1128002349/22#22

Being the resident fish poop expert, you would notice!

The second round is on me. I believe that series of illustration was 1st published by In-Fisherman magazine. Anyway, I hadn't run into it myself in a long time, although I do find myself catching fish, and removing deeply embedded hooks left behind by another angler using this method. This spring I had a weird one, and had to use the method on the fish below.

Great report, and excellent photos to accompany the story. I always forget to take a shot of the graph. Glad to hear you're getting out. I have a place that kicks my butt -- handed me my 1st skunking this year: I Bay, or "The City Dump."

Solder them? You have to be kidding me! Just get some Owners, and fish them right out of the package.

You are probably right with some plastics, but its definitely necessary with others. Go buy a bag of Venom tubes or Berkley Hand Pours, wash the salt off, and take them out on a hot day. You'll miss the salt.

Its a Leadbelly song. Roadwarrior always says "Goodnight Irene" when he locks a thread.

Its also a packing material. Keeps the baits from sticking to each other.

I'm an admirer of anything that is well made, or represents some technical advancement, regardless of manufacturer. That said, most of my reels are Daiwa, and most of my rods are St. Croix.