Dwight Hottle

Another option is Jonathan Pauls https://fitovers.com/.

Take a look at each lodges website for recent fish pics. It won't be hard to determine which lake is producing the bigger fish. El Salto does have the better food I have heard.

Looks like a sweet new ride. I'll bet you will catch your fair share of hogs while enjoying her.

Don't discount the Kistler rods as being inferior to Loomis. Most of them are built on Gary Loomis's Edge blanks.

Answer 1 & 2 nailed it. You need maximum juice to start an Opti. Your present setup is okay with warmer temps but not delivering peak capacity at cold temps.

Doesn't get any worse than that.

Fixed it for you. That's the preliminary call based on strength of schedule.

I just finished watching Ohio State play the worst game of the season then suddenly it was the fourth quarter. What a finish. Kudos to the defense for keeping them in the game.

The best of the digital's is the Brecknell. The best of the spring scales is the boga. A 15lb boga only weighs in quarter lb increments while the Brecknell weighs to the half ounce. Spring scales can be affected by extreme cold icy conditions below freezing. Digital scales can be affected by wetness & battery strength. I carry one of each in my boat so there is never a scale problem. The boga also doubles as a fish gripper for staying away from multiple treble hooks when a fish is thrashing and avoiding fish with teeth. Neither of these scales are inexpensive but offer the best service for the money spent. I base my claim of the best scale on personal experience & from talking to IGFA officials who oversee scale certification for the agency.

Considering the circumstances Mike I think you should send them to me for safe keeping.

Take a page out of my book & use a moderate action rod. This is especially helpful if you are using braid as a main line. The source of your problem & frustration is not what small jerk bait to use but how to hook up solidly and keep them on until landed. With jerk baits fish will often slap at a bait or bump it to stun it before mouthing the bait. You need super sticky sharp hooks to help get the job done. Also make sure your drag is set to barely slip on a hard hook set.

Glenn any idea what the problem might be?

Thoughtful article J.

John these are pics that have been in the album for years. I haven't received any notifications regarding uploads or space issues.

Thanks John. I always thought the idea behind the member albums was to make them accessible to all other members.

I have missing images that were located my bass resource albums view able from my profile. Any idea where they went.

Most times its the line tie causing the problem not the bill. Always hold the bait facing you & bend the line tie left if the bait runs to the right and the opposite if its running left. A pair of small needle nose pliers should do the trick. Always bend in small increments then test the bait to see if you need more adjustment.

I like using good old hopkins spoons.

PA waters.

My home lake. Erie

You did have a really good day. That's what keeps us in the game.

Just over 5

Congrats on your great new PB and entry into the eleven pound club.

Looks like he successfully learned his lesson. Congrats to you both.

Yesterdays best.