J Francho

BPS has XPS tungsten weights in 1/2 oz size, on sale now, two for $5.83. My vote would be to spend your money at Seibert Outdoors, though. Fair prices, great service, and Mike is simply an outstanding person to work with.

If you're ever up this way in the fall, I can take you for some serious German brown trout. Good luck.

I know some pros. They get a 10% discount on tackle. Lol. I'd say by "pro" most mean either a working guide or competitive fisherman that derives the majority of their income from either. There's a few well known guides, and and a handful of guys that compete at the top levels on this site.

TW is a brick and mortar.

Almost anyone I've known that has swore by the Uni to Uni connection has been met with failure, only to try the modified Albright (Alberto) knot and never look back. I love the Uni knot, but not in this case.

THe Gander near me wouldn't even cut me any slack on a display model. I think they're gonna have a hard time selling it at their $200 clearance price.

If you've grown accustomed to casting rods, and want a spinner that shares many of those characteristics, take a look at this one from Pinnacle. After two seasons, it's still one of my favorites. http://www.bassresource.com/fishing_lures/pinnacle-DHC5-performa-review.html

I'd be very careful about whom you complain to. From another's perspective, the potential for a hook in a swimmer's foot may be more of a nuisance. Fish when you can, leave no trace behind. If they are making a commotion, fish another shore. Three acres should be plenty of room for both activities.

Sweet tow vehicle. Love those old caddies. Aluminum a can be a pain. I dip the bunks half way under water. Drive the boat on gently. It should right itself. Hook up and crank on. If it's hard to crank, back down the ramp a bit. When you learn the sweet spot, it'll go easier, and you'll be able to drive right on.

Outstanding!

Sometimes you lose a fish or two. I don't use braid. 12-15# copoly or fluoro and put a trailer hook on it. I don't use ant trailer bait either.

Awesome!

Arkey jig, Texas rig, popper, square bill, spinnerbait.

Football heads sit upright on hard bottom and are easier to work through rocks. When they are dragged into a rock, the bait rolls forward, making a craw bait look defensive. They work well in wood in a pinch, though an arkey style is better.

One of these helps greatly for this: http://www.thefishgrip.net/

Thanks guys. It was a nice day with family. Fishing Saturday.

I weigh all my fish with a Zebco Deliar, lol.

Brian, most digital scales are far less accurate than a good spring scale. The big advantage to a digital is the it's easy to read and photograph.

Speaking to Boyd Duckett personally about MLF, I got the impression that the competition is real, not scripted.

I used 14 lb siege for several years for all kinds baits on med to mh rods. It's good line to learn with. Definitely consider getting KVD Line & Lure. I use it on all my line. I don't use for bass fishing any more, but I do use it for steelhead fishing. Many 6-12 lb. class trout on 6 lb. line. With any line, if it's snapping, you have a knot issue, or your drag is set to tight. Always check for abrasion if your fishing nasty cover, retie if the line gets funky.

I don't think it's totally cut and dry. I tend to avoid bedding fish in a tournament simply bbs cause it won't be returned to the bedding site immediately. That male may not return to the best or set up shop elsewhere. Not all males build nests and spawn. I'm less concerned about roaming females, as they may spawn with more one male, though I'd rather return them ASAP than take them on a live well ride. It's pretty much a moot point up here though, since it's usually still catch and immediate release rules during the spawn anyway.

Within reason, I generally let cover dictate what tackle I use. Obviously, you're not going to do too well throwing 3" senkos with a flipping stick and 30# fluoro. Anything from a medium light on up to medium heavy should get the job done. I prefer a fast or extra fast taper for plastics.

The distance between the bail and the spool has no influence on IPT. IPT = spool circumference x gear ratio, irrespective of reel type. Gear ratio is the constant. Spool circumference increases as line is packed on, and therefore IPT is at it's maximum potential at the point you stop reeling in. Now, while the line size is a constant, larger line has a greater effect on spool circumference during a cast. Personally, I'm surprised we aren't seeing more shallow, but wider spools. Remember the "long cast" spinning reels of the 90s? Or think of a fully spooled Ambassedeur. A long cast hardly makes a dent in the spool. …dumb things I think about after a pint of ice cream, lol.

Mike, what I see in many production rods is an increase in guides near the tip, when micros are used. I know they're trying to keep the line off the blank, but it it seems like a wash in weight, compared to a simpler, conventional "Fuji New Concept" arrangement. Or am I off base?

Call it "raw chicken."