J Francho

Maybe it's time to replace the battery.

Snake oil. Color-C-Lector, you can still get them at Bass Pro and other stores.

I've always heard the term "strolling" used in the context of drifting. As in, the wind or current is pushing you, and you are dragging a bait, like a tube or drop shot. If you are using the trolling motor to primarily move the bait, then it's trolling plain and simple. Long lining is different. Never really heard of it for divers, but I suppose it might help a little. Thing is, anyone with experience trolling knows that there is a point of diminishing returns with regard to how much line is out with a diver. You get a bow in the line from drag resistance of the water, and the bait will go no further. For instance, with 14# mono, a DD22 will go no deeper than about 18-19 feet. Doesn't matter how much line is out, it just won't go any deeper without help, like added weight, or weighted line. Seems like the benefit would be keeping the bait in the depth zone longer, not running deeper. Now, long lining a floating swimbait or a frog....now there's a deadly technique.

What is the format?

Got any slip shots? Remember to clip your barbs? Keep your tip up! I'm still LMAO at this video: For Cinco de mayo, Kitta and I hit beaver farts, and limited out in the first hour, lol. Seriously, we fished for around five hours after late start (weren't dressed for the cold north wind on Port Bay) and got into around 25 largemouth and four northerns. Kitta felt it's head shaking! I kept my tip up! Oh yeah, the best part. Every single fish was caught on a spinnerbait. Man I love a spinnerbait bite. Sunday, after completely flooding my kitchen (long story) we got for an afternoon trip on the city dump. Ran into another NYBASSER at the ramp, Scott I think. Had a nice Crestliner that made me a little jealous thinking about the rough days in the big lake. Nice meeting you, hope you got into some. We found a few willing participants, though no northerns, and no real size. Maybe ten bass in a few hours. Jigs, wacky jig finesse worms, and spinnerbaits were thrown. I think most Kitta's fish came on a jig, mine on the spinnerbait. Some pics:

Gman, smallies here on Ontario have been moving in shallow for about two or three weeks now. Cold weather shuts them off a bit, but they are there. The jerkbait bite is on, as is the trap bite. I wish I could have a report from this weekend for you, but it was just too windy, and had to go to plan b. Here's a jb smallie from two weekends ago:

No.

Some threads are just for entertainment purposes, lol.

Are interviewing for a job as the bassist in the Hives? I foresee a post whining about inequities and bias in the job interview process, lol. Dude, you probably will be doing a bunch of interviews before you get a job anyway, so make it fun. Try both at several interviews, report back with the results. And don't just interview for jobs you want - just make a list, and go.

Good luck with that notion. You won't find too much consistency there. As far as shaking off, sound more like an issue of the way you play and land the fish than a hook problem. For extra wide gap worm hooks, I use Owner Wide Gap Plus. For some deeper bodied baits, like fat bodied creatures and flipping tubes, I'll use their offset point Rigging Hook.

The strike plate edge miraculously is hardened steel now, lol. You'll can see a difference in the materials used.

No, the same company that makes Pure Fishing reels made many of BPS's reels. AFAIK, they've moved on from that, though.

Plastic drag gear? Are you talking about the clicker assembly? Why would that even be an issue? In fact, I'd call it a FEATURE. In 99.99999% of reels, this part is all riveted, and cannot be repaired or replaced. Shimano's set up easily replaceable. I've seen ratcheted spool supports made of aluminum (CI4), machined steel, stamped steel, etc....never heard of them wearing out.

For reels, I'm using a Chronarch 200e7 and a Calcutta 200B, depending on what rod I use. Gear ratio issues are all in your head. It doesn't matter.

Yep, the metal piece on the bottom right is probably the issue. I've replaced more than a few.

I fish from a kayak, because those are kayak only waters. I also fish from a boat, and in fact the last pic is from fluke's boat. Here's a video of me landing a steelhead in a kayak. Same principal, even with a medium light rated drop shot rod and 4# fluoro.

It's not a mind thing, something I noticed years ago night fishing.

I didn't realize his illness was so serious. So sad. So influential. I wonder if they'll ever perform again.

You can't just eyeball it? Use one slightly smaller than the screw threads.

Here's nice rod:

Line strength, not fish size dictates how to handle a big fish. If I have enough control to play them by the boat, then I have enough control to get them in the net.

Aside from a small scratch in the rod's paint from the snagging hook, both are fine.

Vanish.....it's what happens to your fish when you set the hook.

Before drawing that conclusion, I suggest you search Youtube for bass feeding on real craws. I think you'll be surprised at what you see. Smallies especially will rip their claws off, and "play" with them, like a cat does with a mouse.

I throw 1/4 oz and 3/8 oz. jigs on a Saint Croix LTBC70MF and 12# P-Line CXX. You'll know when the jig is "too heavy" for your gear. Eventually, you'll want a MH and/or a H rod for this. Luckily, a good jig rod can do MANY other things.