CWB

Don't sweat it. Us "OLD" guys have to stick together. Last year I bent over to lip a bass and a wave rocked the boat and over I went! Good thing it was four feet of water. I stood up, reeled the fish back up and grabbed it. Then I embarrassingly jumped back in the boat and got as far away from that spot as possible.

X2 Worming 101 is usually one of the first tactics you learn. Simple and easy but deadly.

Don't worry. I got your back on this one. I keep a net in the boat but usually only use it when I hang a pike or musky that would take my bait if I tried to grab it even though I have not used it to often. If you play out a good essox, you can easily grad it under the gill plate. But rest assured if I hang a 50+ incher or a really huge bass, I will definitely consider the net.

Aren't there any teams in Wisconsin to talk about? O wait, the Brewed, I mean Brewers are from Wisconsin. If I recall they were worthless until they got Fatboy and the "Chubbies" swept them to start their playoff drive. Both did make early playoff exits though. We'll see who's there at the end of September. ;D ;D

I tend to vacate a spot too quickly if I'm not getting bites, even my top spots. Too impatient. Also I can't stand up for too long due to a back injury.

I throw the Scumfrog PaddleFoot frog, which is an excellent bait but very light, on a 7' MH rod, 4000 series Spirex reel, and 30 lb. Power Pro braid. Works for me. You probably see alot of the guys don't approve of spinning gear but remember- you're the one using it. Go with what works for you.

X2 Trust me. The guys on here know their stuff, especially the B.S. part. Most are experts at it themselves. Like the saying "you can't kid a kidder", you can't B.S. a B.S.er. (Is that a word?) I know 8lb+ bass are caught in northern Ill, I even had one on I would have guessed was that big, but it's not exactly common. Bring a camera and snap a quick pic or 2. Worth a thousand words. Word of advise. Start your sentences with capital letters and use the spellcheck feature.

Welcome to the RageTail Army! Growing each day. I started using a self made hook like you described and also tried wrapping different diameters of solder around the hook shank to achieve different weight. Now I just get the Gammy weighted hooks or Falcon.

Just two. 1) Where in Northern Ill.? 2) Can I come with you one day?

Even Better!

X2 Looks good enough to fillet. $70.00. Ouch. Smaller version would be dynamite up here. 5"? Hint Hint.

Good job! Can I come down and visit this winter?

Who doesn't like a good Frog bite? I use attractant on all my soft plastics, frogs included. What good is getting that explosive hit and then the fish spits it before you reel up and hit 'em. Good read Bobby. I still have a few of the original Rats and quite a few of Manns Swimming Frogs, which I think are among the best Frog baits ever made.

Tyrius does have a solid point. Confidence is gained thru success which is gained thru applying knowledge in the correct situation. You don't just grab a bait off the rack and immediately have confidence in it. You must have had success with it at some point. Having confidence in a topwater bait but fishing it over 30 feet of water in 20 mph winds won't get you many bites. That being said, to me confidence is very important because without it you start second guessing yourself and that never is good. Knowledge leads to success which leads to confidence. Not just in fishing either!

48" musky trolling a spoonplug on small lake in northeastern Ill.

Not this time. 1/16 oz. Charlie Brewer Pro Spider head, EWG 3/0 hook. Too much gunk on bottom for Shakey Head.

At least us old guys have enough sense not to let our drawers get soiled like you young guys. We even keep fishing, even when the bite is tough and never make excuses. Well said! As an "old guy" myself, I totally agree.

There are many good jigs and I'm sure you'll get alot of answers. I like Strike Kings Premier Pro Model and Tour Grade Football. Also Outkast R.T. Check out ***s store. Russ makes a great jig at a reasonable price. http://www.***/?refid=store

3 words. Ragetail Ragetail Ragetail. Watermelon/Red Flake or Green Pumpkin. T-rig with as little weight as you can get away with. I like to fish them on Charlie Brewers Super Spider heads, 1/16 oz EWG. http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_57988_100006006_100000000_100006000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT The bait comes alive. Also have had success using Evo Shakee2 heads in 3/16 oz.

July is Prime Time for froggin' in the slop. We'll definitely have to do some of that.

Good point! Most of the time all I have to do is roll out of bed, unplug the battery and lug it out to the boat and hook it up, unlock the rodbox and grab my gear, untie the boat and I'm good to go. 10 minutes maybe.

Made a deal with the wife to get in a few hours of fishing Sunday. We headed up to our cottage in northern Illinois but first stopped at the mall. Hit BPS of course. Then we went to lunch and I had to promise not to uncover the boat. I was Okay with that as I had a hunch there would be some good fish on the large spawning flat behind the house. Put on my wading boots and headed in. Got a few chunks on a swimbait and saw some nice beds but nothing on them. Went inside to watch the Cubs lose again and went back out this time armed with the last Ragetail Lizard we got from Big-O on the roadtrip. Dipped in JJ's and started to cast where I remembered the beds. 3rd cast felt a tick and didn't hesitate and hit her. 3 feet of water toe to toe with a pig. Got her in and yelled to the wife to get the camera. After a few quick shots and measurements back she went. Using length/girth formula 19.0 X 22.0 approx she was 6.6 lb. I honestly don't think she was that big but a good one any way. Nice thing is, in a few days her belly will be back to normal. Not mine though.

Soaked a bait in JJ's for a week? Wow. That thing must have been pretty potent if there was even anything left of it. Sounds like you guys had a great day Mike!

Might be a little more but G3 is a much better boat than a Tracker. I have had Trackers but since buying a G3, will never go back. JMHO.

Charcoal. No question steaks taste better. Gas is quick and heats up faster but to a commonsewer like myself, there is no comparison in flavor. Old School baby!