J Francho

Try drop shotting with a weight less than 1/2 oz. when the bow of your boat is traveling 10' up and down in the waves.

Good point. Asterisks....sometimes most of the work in private mud puddle fishing is done before you even pick up a rod. It takes some research, and you'll be striking out sometimes as well.

I've got a whole box of Peanut cranks, love 'em!

OK, I'll accept the TWO lakes you named. You said "any" lake is managed. My point was about the other three million public bodies of water. Eceptions to the rule are a poor example in a debate.

Man, that's a good bait.

Well, I don't feel inadequate, just pure, green ***, lol.

Hence my gripe about the current record. And OBTW, you might need to fish that pond, lol.

Sometimes I wonder the same thing about old salts. I mean, why bother locating biting fish when you can just drop a chum slick and wait.

Sounds interesting. it's not what I'd use in cover, but would probably work fine. When I think "swimbaits" I think "swimming" in water, not nosing through cover. I bet you'd do equally well with another style soft plastic. By that, I mean I don't think the hollow body paddle tail is the difference maker - the location is. BUT (that's a huge but, lol) Once you develop a comfort with a certain rigging, that's really more important than exact details, so long as it allows for a good presentation.

I hook a few - have to see what you are getting bit by. Can't win a Tx with dinks.

Exactly what sucks about that? The lack of an EXTRA third bearing probably contributes to BETTER spool speed. The reason that certain Daiwa and Pure Fishing brand reels have a bearing on the spool is due to the shortened, or disconnected spool shaft on the cranking side. Their design practically predicates having that bearing in place. The extension rod is there for spool tensioning purposes, and I'm not even sire why they even put a third bearing under the tension cap - it's not like that part spins. Remember, you have to have a greater understanding of how the reel parts mesh together to form a machine before you can declare one design better than another. In this case, they are just different.

These will pick you up, man: http://www.despair.com/viewall.html

When you use those fairy wands, you got to take it easy! Seriously though, nice catch and way better than normal hat cam footage.

All that, and you didn't get one nick on the spool lip? Uncanny.

it doesn't matter where is comes from, you catch what you are pretty sure is the biggest fish in any body of water, it's pretty cool.

The size and creel limits are developed as much out of politics as they are out of conservation. Stocking? Bass? Doesn't happen on public lakes. To make the comparison like that to a "managed" lake like Richmond Mills or random farm ponds is a gigantic stretch.

The Curado doesn't have a bearing either.

No, you can't add a bearing to the spool. There bearings on opposite ends of the spool shaft already. The crankshaft bearing is Part #31.

That isn't at all what we're talking about. But since you insist, give me a model #. Citica ???? CI200, CI200D, E, G? The only Citica that has a bushing on the spool is a 15 year old CI200. The bushing we are referring to is Part #3521 in the E and G models.

They are exactly for what eyedabassman said, sort of a Texas rig jig type hook. Not really suitable for swimbaits at all.

It's at the base of the crankshaft, which is disengaged during the cast.

What is more time consuming? Dealing with twists when your fishing, or trolling the twists out at the end of the day? As far as braid goes, Power Pro, Power Pro Slick 8, and Sufix 832 in 20# size are all fine for spinning gear.

I was going to say drifting/trolling sawbellies or other bait. If you catch any, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE post pics.

I don't think anyone is debating the point that fishing is fun, no matter where or how. But, to compare skill levels and bragging rights....mehhh. Sour grapes? Not really, I've been lucky to have the opportunity to fish some pretty sweet private waters. One thing that chaps my rear end is the NY State Record largemouth. Buckhorn Lake? Not public. So, basically, I just need to livewell some big southern fish, dump them in my private lake, and hope I hook one. Hmmmmmmmmm.

It's pretty simple to have a pre launch routine. I usually turn the ignition key to make sure the starting batt is good, and then turn on the TM, set it to 30, and give it a test as the last twio things before dumping her in. If you develop a pre launch ritual that includes these little checks, you'll never be caught in that situation to begin with.