J Francho

Probably not an issue for a pick. Pike over 30" though...yeah.

How sad for his friends and family.

Here's one way, from a kayak. In a boat, it's about the same, just that I either get in the pit, or kneel on the deck.

That's a big pike. Anyway, a fish grip and long pliers, and like Clayton said, work the hook out boat side. It's all the flopping around, and squeezing them too hard, along with lack of oxygen, that does them in. If it's a long fight, hold them upright until catch their breath and they swim away.

Once it's post spawn, they settle down and occupy different niches. I don't know what it is about Oneida, though. It's ten times worse there than anywhere else - even the City Dump where there's too many axe handle northerns.

Oneida is the worst. 10:1 pickerel to bass, and that's on a good day.

Yes, if you mean release the meat from the bone for pike casserole.

I usually just jam the pliers into their brains. Too many pickerels in the lakes I fish. Big northerns, now that's another story. Treat them with respect - takes a long time to grow a 40" pike.

That's bigger than a breadbox. Nice work man!

Those people generally start out noisier than most. Once identified, it's easy to tune them out.

The worst one was sitting on my son's brand new rod. Nothing feels so stupid as thinking, oh man, I'm gonna break this.....too late.

You haven't caught a limit here in any tournament. You have to catch a limit. I hate setting this as a goal, because it's not a winning strategy, but I'm thinking baby steps here. Are you in the back of the boat? A lot is going to hinge on your boater.

Use a Fish Grip or Boga Grip.

Yes, and you'll get different results with different combinations. That's why you need to put the Skeet on every rod and test it before you can declare any distance winners.

I used a couple reels for this recently to see what I REALLY prefer. I have a zillion 7.1:1, A Chronarch 200e7, and a purple Aphas. By far, my favorite is the little Alphas. I keep going back to it. It's small size and slower ratio works well with jerkbaits. You can find similar Sols in your price range.

If you are testing the reels, then you should use the same rod. If you are testing the rods, then use the same reel. Or at least swap up the different permutations.

City driving gas mileage not as impressive. Maybe I'm using too much gas when the light turns green. Getting 13.8, over 13.1 mpg in Program 2 Economy.

Other companies have date of manufacture codes in their serial number. Doesn't mean it didn't sit on the shelf for three years before it sold.

Me too, lol.

It's an AC62MXF that I use for topwaters, jerkbaits, and short spinnerbait work. I don't know why the reel seat failed. The tip top smashed out, and broken guide inserts....well, that's all me. I had no problem paying $75 for the repairs. I gotta say, they did a great job.

It's pretty cool. Big Al and I worked the ground crew last year. This year I decided to squeeze three into my tin can. It's a lot of fun. These guys really appreciate getting out there.

What body part did he think he should use?

OK, tough crown, lol. That "slug" with the net is me. This is an annual event organized by my friends Burnie and Mike, with help from a ton of sponsors and arranged through the NYSBASS Chapter Fed.

Stupid question time, ghoti.... Why do you own St. Croix rods, if this is a policy you don't agree with?

Always bugged me. I have a legit 7-1 in my avatar - from NY no less - and guys gotta stretch the truth. Chris, WRB, 4biz, others know what it's like to sit there and question yourself midday, "Dude, just go over there, and toss these, and you'll get your string pulled." But you stick with it. Big, Big bass are hard to stick with.