J Francho

Here's a few.

Holy cow, man that's a nice one!

Tie off the middle ring that the hook and weight are attached to. No sensitivity issues - just like a superline punching hook. As far as it being just like a short drop shot, you haven't fished it where you can see it. The similarities end with appearance. There is simply nothing else like it with a craw or even a fish shaped bait.

On weeknights, it's about 4 hours. Weekends can be 6-12 hour trips.

A 1/4 oz. bullet weight, Z bend hook, and Culprit 7" ribbon tail worm was an epiphany to my 12 year old brain. I had been cranking the outsides of weed lines for years, with good success, but the weedless Texas rigged worm completely changed fishing for me. Fishing in the weeds opened up a whole new horizon for me.

Sounds like a perfect trio.

I've got a couple dozen "dream combos." Every time I buy my dream setup, I dream up another that I need.

Line doesn't matter for skipping, so long as it isn't rope. What matters more is the cover under the trees. If you need something more then 8 lb. line, then consider 20# braid and a 10-12# leader. Another bait that skips easily is a butt rigged Fat Ika. Another often overlooked bait is a topwater frog or spook type bait. You'd be surprised how effective a Sammy can be under the canopy, if you have the guts to throw it in there.

I like to burn a Stanley Ribbit over just about every piece of real estate in that situation. You may not catch any, but a couple will show themselves. Then go back and work them with the worm that was working before.

On a ball head as the primary bait, I agree. But on a football head, as a trailer for a skirted bait.....double tails are awesome.

I have a Garmin Nuvi 1350 I think. Love it. "Squirrel" is a fun voice you can DL from the site for long trips.

There are a few situations where I actually need a faster (relatively) reel for traps. Usually I can get away with my relatively slow 5.8:1 Daiwa Sol reels, but when I'm ripping bigger baits off weeds in shallow water I literally cannot reel them in fast enough with the Sol, and my Zillion 7.1:1 suits the task perfectly. If you are comparing two reels, side by side, then look at IPT. Really, time on the water will tell you a lot more. Sometimes a reel just doesn't feel right, and no matter what you try - slow down, speed up - you lose focus. Try a different ratio reel. For instance, that Zillion...I can't stand it for spinnerbaits, though on paper it should be perfect. The only time I use something that fast for spinnerbaiting, is for 3/4 oz. Screamin Eagles. Even then, I'm only "comfortable" with it if I'm getting bit.

Like Hooligan said, those 13 lb. + are one in a billion. They are gambling on their genetics. It probably isn't a genetic trait of fast growth or large size rate that got them over 13 lbs. though. More likely some other trait, not easily quantified: temperament, spawning behavior, preferred environment, etc. Mix that with the right recipe for growing and sustaining large fish, and you got a trophy fishery. As far as Florida Strain bass goes, it's a different species of fish, and the same applies. Each fry has potential of becoming as big as the environment can churn out, just like any other species of fish.

No, it is what you accept. To me, this is unacceptable. I'd find another club, or start my own.

Vitamin D, not B. Though you need to be exposed to UV-B in order to receive the benefit of Vitamin D through sunlight. All I know is what I've read, and the more I talk to people, the more prevalent the issue is. There's a lot of symptoms related to Vitamin D deficiency - fatigue, grumpiness, short temper, etc. I was 1st diagnosed when test results showed my level was 11. Normal range should be more than 80. I never felt any "symptoms" - I'm normally grouchy in the morning, and tired in the evening, lol. The whole thing was resolved in just three months with Vitamin D caplets each day.

A 7' mh/f spinning rod is great for this. I personally prefer using 20# braid, and a 12-15# P-line CXX leader tied on with a Alberto Knot.

3-5 is an average week. Some trips are short, only a hour or two, some are marathons. If I have a big tournament, I might have two or three days of just practice.

I don't start any beginners, especial kids, on a bait that you have to detect the bite, and set the hook in order catch bass. Use a moving bait. They'll be less bored, and you won't be dealing with deep gut hookings. Once they understand the mechanics, work them into a "feel bait." Pre rigged weedless worms are a great start, as are grubs on a ball head.

Just an FYI, when you get your yearly physical, ask for a Vitamin D check with your blood work. Due to all the covering, many (myself included) mind up with a Vitamin D deficiency. It's easily resolved with daily Vitamin D gel caps. Pretty common for us northern folks as well. We spend all winte covered up as well, lol.

That's why there's only 4 non boaters.

Not really. With fish, they grow their entire life, until just up to the end. It's all about water quality and food. One northern strain largemouth bass has roughly the same potential as another to get big. It's environmental. For the OP, every environment is unique, so you need an expert, otherwise it's just ideas. I'm thinking you could contact a local university, and get ahold of a biologist. You can also look at Pondboss.com for ideas as well.

Why spend so much? You don't need to spend $65K. I spent $7K on mine, and finish in the money all the time. I take my kids, friends, relatives, the occasional soldier, etc.

Jerkbait tendenitis - explain that one to the doc, lol. Nice work.

It gives super shallow fish a chance to get comfortable, and forget all the negative cues from the boat. For frogs, it's also a cool way to emulate a spooked frog jumping in from shore. I've watch big bass watch the bank, waiting for frogs, especially where people walk.

Small club, just talk it over with the boater. Personally, I'd be keeping my eyes peeled for females, not males on beds. You could easily fill the well with slobs while the boater works the same fish.