J Francho

I just find that stuff interesting anyway. I'd think fish biology would apply more to your fishing than forestry topics.

20 of them? Hook me up, dude, lol.

I agree. While I prefer them not to jump, when they are in the air, you have the advantage. Steer them the opposite direction they're headed, which is usually toward you.

That's HIGHLY debatable. Both with and without is correct. I prefer with.

If you want to move ahead with this, I HIGHLY recommend you retain the services of a lawyer and an accountant.

And the notion that we are beholden to our sponsors is specious at best and total rubbish at worst. That I use products from many of them is testament to the quality of sponsor we pursue. I also use and highly recommend brands that are not our sponsor. Saint Croix, Daiwa reels, Power Pro, P-Line, Lucky Craft, Yamamoto, Jackall, Bullet boats, Mercury Marine, Ocean Kayak, Wilderness Systems, and on and on. None of these companies sponsor me. Are we clear?

I haven't been unkind to Lews. I just said I wanted to buy one. So I went up to TW, and looked around. VERY CONFUSING. The BB-1 looks like a dud, to me. From reports, the brakes are way too fussy. The Tournament reels look like the deal for value. I still think dual brakes are overkill. But, I'd be willing to try one. I like the form factor in my hand, and that's got a lot to do with whether you like reel. Most cast just fine, but I'm no beginner, and don't want to fuss with brakes when changing baits. I can see having a finesse set of shoes and heavy set of shoes, like Shimano, but setting the brakes to compensate for different baits is too fussy. Maybe I'll get one. Maybe I'll just buy four more Lexas.

6-11! Good Grief, I'd be tempted to lie about that one, LOL.

And I bet you have the 52" shaft, too.

My tails are pretty thin, and the deer hair is stiff and thick. A tiny amount doesn't affect them.

WHAT! OKAAAAY!

I don't use a trailer on a hair jig. The trailer interferes with the hair, which is it's own trailer.

It's because there are rules limiting the number of hook points. That's why they've started making 3-arm and 2-arm models, and others with just blade attractors. The laws are really inconsistent regarding this bait, so check your state regs.

I hear they're delicious!

Good move.

The kids and your current situation make it a tough call.

Kicking up the mud, while immediately might not be good, may activate sluggish fish.

The Randy Moss episode was full of one liners. That was a good one.

Rookie. I throw five a-rigs on an a-rig.

I do, in spring and fall. It's required gear on some lakes in this area.

Nah, just a tiny bit, to grease it up, but not matted, or slicked together. You want to leave some air for the hair to "breathe."

Never tried it. For this, I really prefer Megastrike.

Big fish are a whole different animal. Everything has to go right.

I fish in waves quite a bit. I only raise it if I'm headed shallow.

Not my top three, but some of my most memorable. Best from 2012, 7-1 One of the best, unweighed, around 6: PB SMB, 5-12, off the back of "No Good's" boat: Best from a few years ago, best from the kayak, 6-8