Dwight Hottle

Sam I can't suggest that you change your reel service guy because I don't know him. I will tell you he may be talking about spinning reels but not all reels. I think that shimano makes the best casting reels but I prefer Diawa spinning reels especially the certates. I have five of them including two of the mag seal reels. They have been flawless performers for me. Take my advice with a grain of salt because you know I am a big ten supporter not SEC.

The rod I have is the previous generation of IMX. I originally bought it as a walleye rod but it accells for great lakes smallies as well. It is rated up to 1/2 ounce. It will handle slightly heavier baits. I use it with owner twistlock weighted hooks designed by Gary Yamamoto. They are a rated as light. Use both the 5/0 & 6/0 (5167W-705 & 5167W-706.) Those same hooks work well for Florida bass for me with big EZ swim baits. No bending or straighening problems from my experience. The "Hot Shot" rods have light to medium tips and magnum butt-sections. Hope that helps.

St Croixs do fish heavier than advertised. I use a Loomis IMX hot shot spinning rod 9000 S HSR. It's 7'-6" though.

I use a snap 100% of the time. Mostly right to the split ring but on some lures I do remove the split ring to compensate the difference in weight added by the snap.

I know a guy who caught a 7lb smallie on the squad minnow SP.

There are a lot of people unemployed & will be more if it goes to $30 & stays there any length of time.

Here are a few.

Well you found the right site. Welcome. See if you find & meet Ed Roper he has property on Lake Conroe & I'm sure he could give you a hand learning the lake. He is semi retired. Tell him I sent you. We go way back as friends in high school.

Steve I share your love for diversity. A trophy is a trophy no matter what the species it is. I enjoy adapting tricks of the trade I have learned while fishing for one species to another. Using a musky trick like trolling in the prop wash with a bait to catch lake trout on a big pike lure like a 12" sledge. I don't need to tell you about the natural diversity that lake erie shares with us everytime we wet a line.

That sentence is not justice. 25 years for robbing his boat & shooting him in the face is a sad commentary on our justice system.

Had to be a Diawa. LOL.

Congrats she is definitely a keeper.

PB's are really sweet no matter what the species. Congrats.

Flits do have some killer action. They are mostly upper water column baits though unless you have great visibility.

I started trying at 1:00 pm & finally got through at 4:15 pm. Your discount shows up in your cart as you place each item in.

Neither can I. There site is over whelmed.

Don't buy any tires made in china unless you want to comitt sucide. Goodyear marathons built in the United States & built in New Zealand are good. Those are the only marathons I trust. The country of origin is located on every tire sidewall. Inflate your trailer tires to maximum air pressure always set it cold before the tire is run. Tires register higher pressure as they heat up from running. Maximum air pressure will insure the tires run at their lowest possible temperature. Heat kills when talking about tires. Disclaimer I was in the retail tire business for 15 years & I know tires. I also know what causes tire failures. Poor quality & heat build up are the main reasons for tire failure. That is the reason auto manufactures now require tire air pressure monitoring systems.

I like closed loop the best. I take a small piece of shrink wrap & heat it to close the open loop design. It works like a charm.

Bass tackle depot 30% of tomorrow on everything. Moving sale.

Great report Paul. Your still sticking quality fish as usual. Happy Thanksgiving.

Try using some chap stick on your flouro before tightening your knot. It lubes much better than spit. Also tighten the knot slowly to minimize burning the line.

My condolences to you & your family.

13-19lb wipers are really quality fish. Congrats.

The worst is over. Speedy recovery bud.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to cheer me up. I really appreciate it. I'm just waiting the results from one last test before hearing what my treatment options are. Then it's full steam ahead. Thank you all again.