J Francho

First of, I think we need to standardize some terms, for sake of consistency. Weeds, grass lines, laydowns, bog wood, stumps, docks, moored boats, and even to some extent boulders or rip rap are all examples of cover. Structure is the layout or shape of the lake bottom. This can include shoals, drop offs, points, flats, ledges, humps, stair steps, creek channels, road beds, walls, etc. Structure is usually referred to on a larger scope than cover. Cover, as it relates to structure and bait fish movement is the key to locating active fish. I'm a structure fisherman, which means I always think of the bigger picture. Over the course of 20 years or so of serious fishing, I've always questioned why one piece of cover holds fish more consistently than another seemingly similar piece of cover. Structure is the answer. Put those pieces together, and you'll start to see where the ideal places to fish are.

Up here, Conesus, Oneida, Champlain, Candlewood.... all big bass factories with several daily tournaments.

Yeah, tournaments ruin a fishery.

If you can, get one of these seats. Set it pretty high, so you lean on your lumbar, not your butt. It works.

Are you a boater?

Jitterbugs and poppers have NEVER had split rings, lol. It's about functionality. They work better without.

Yep, RAM mounts are the best for this.

Jitterbugs and poppers work best with no split ring. I use a split ring or Duo-Loc snap for spook type baits.

Cut those hooks off, add split rings and Owner ST-41 hooks.

Yeah, I dig it. Back before they even started filming, I talked to Boyd Duckett at length about it, and it has really lived up to the hype. I guess the pros really have fun with the format, too.

Ragetail Craw on an Owner Jig Rig.

I still use an improved clinch with several baits. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits can tied on real quick this way. The knot holds well with the 10-15 lb. P-Line CXX I use for those baits.

Moved this to the Southeast board. Hopefully some locals will chime in.

Yep, this. Auburn had an entire rack of them still last time I was there.

Jack Link's, water, and a bottle of Mountain Dew, in case my blood sugar tanks.

My sister gave me a dog treat that looked like beef jerky.

Come to western ny. I'll show you some slop.

That says it all. Nicely put.

I have the 803c GL2. Not sure if I have anything I can weigh it on. My impressions are that it's about the same as an Avid AVC68MXF, which I also own. It's got a bit more power, and less tip, though. Not as friendly a jerkbait rod as the Avid.

For $40, that mounting hardware is a slam dunk. Insure the boat against theft, and use those. No sense in living in fear and not enjoying the things you have.

No, but I've handled my share of GLX. They are VERY light compared to similar spec'd $100 rods. I mainly fish Saint Croix Avid and Legend Tournament rods. Also light.

Because the processes and weights change. Weight itself is a pretty useless statistic. There's a lot more that goes into a quality rod than weight.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/113473-classic-from-lake-to-weigh-in/

Dude, I have more fun than anyone fishing for bass. It's not about the fight, though. It's about the game, and the results. That's why I prefer bass to other species. If it was just about the fight, I'd be chasing trout, salmon, or pike - and sometimes do. But that type of fishing isn't nearly as challenging or satisfying as bass fishing.

If you're in it for the fight, try a different species. Seriously, I just don't get playing out a bass, even smallies. Yes, you have to let them run when they want, but big fish are a weird deal. The less time they are hooked and not in my hand, the better for me. Half the time, you can actually lead a fish in open water with very little pressure. Read Charlie Brewer's stuff on Slider fishing. He would actually lead fish out of cover BEFORE setting the hook! I can't go that far, but, you get the picture.