J Francho

Laying parts out on a paper towel is a bad idea. Orientation can be easily determined with a correct schematic. Here's how I keep track of a stripped reel.

There's a company that is basically converting SOT surf skis to fishing boats. They're a little wider than a racing boat, but the hull design is similar. You probably won't be standing in one, though. That woudl be the "fastest" boat around. I can't remember the name, but they were pricey.

It's like half the weight of the Browning steelhead rod I have. That Islander is pretty sweet!

1/2 oz. white or white and chartreuse. If it's really windy, or I need to burn them, but maintain depth, I'll go up to 1 oz. I have some 3/8 oz, but I just use them for sniper style spinner baiting, hitting specific targets.

If it looks greasy, you're using way too much.

I spend more than an hour preparing for a trip or tournament. I wouldn't call it time wasted. Besides, if I have six drop shot rods rigged up, I'll just grab another while you're retying.

You want to hear an Ebola joke? You probably won't get it.

Yeah but my Bullet is 22' long, and I'm crazy. Lol. I'm not taking kids out too often either. Though I will say that 10' front deck is nice for the kids. Plenty of room for the boys and I up there. The reality is I can't afford the boat I need. I'd love what slonezp has. When I get chased off the lake by weather, the guys with big Lunds are headed out. At full throttle.

Montanaro, I just push straight in. Leaves a hole as big as the tip of the iron.

Nice work! Thanks for sharing the process.

Not really. I use it on hair jigs, doesn't seem to matter. You don't slather it on.

Lake Erie mostly…I'd be looking at a 20' deep V.

Weird. Don't really have a problem with them. I use them for jerk baits - little 3-4" leaders. Can't remember the brand. Big baits, I don't bother. Pike aren't that big here. My biggest is a little over 16 lbs.

I bought over a dozen Curado E reels when they were disco'd, and three Chronarch E reels when they first came out. It mattered little to me what they were called, nor did I feel tricked. For what I payed ($75 for the Curados, $120 for the Chronarchs) I got great reels.

Have the same rod, and I'm just "meh" on the spinnerbaits up to 1/2 oz. There's better spinnerbait rods out there, but it works fine. Might be that 7-4 is just too long for me. It didn't load up like my prefered 6-8 MXF Saint Croixs.

Sure, you slide through the water in a little sit in. Then you have to fish out of it.....no thanks.

Sometimes they like caviar, other times, you gotta sack up meatballs.

I think trajectory is more important than distance. Get that down, and the pitch cast becomes a very useful tool.

Getting your line on that one proud nail head on a dock is worth two bonus points.

Ever see a bass with a dual exhaust?

Trees count.

I hear an echo echo echo echo....

If you can pick up a Bucher Topraider, that's probably my all time favorite pike lure. So stupid looking, yet the strikes are nuts.

Sushi grade Megastrike!

Now I'm reading anecdotes about females tending nests, nut never alone, and they're less aggressive....I've never seen it myself, though my experience is limited.