A-Jay

Thank you - good read - btw - did you get in of those "68's" before they were gone ? A-Jay

WOW ! That thing is Sweet & Sick at the same time ~ A-Jay

Congrats ~ Nice Photos. A-Jay

I'm scheduled to demo a couple of these reels next week (from TW) the 200 & 300 size. I realize that these reels just hit the street but is anyone using this reel to throw swimbaits (Hudds and the like) ? If so, I'd really appreciate some feedback. Also which size reel and what line did you spool it with ? Thanks in advance A-Jay

Congrats on the new Puppy Jeff - she's looks like a real sweet heart. And for the record (Lund) we have four currently in our pack - (not counting the ones we're fostering back to health for the county) A-Jay

Excellent replies to this question so far and it's a topic that might not have only one definitive answer. Setting the drag for me is dependent on my style of fishing at the time; this includes but is not limited to the cover (or lack there of) and of course the tackle being used. A fish that makes repeated long sustained runs (usually not done by bass) requires a different setting than a one that makes a few short powerful bursts (more of what a bass does). Fishing a drop shot say in open (Clear) water with very light line (4-6 lb test) I'm going to set it on the lighter side. There is less worries of the fish getting me into anything. A lighter drag may also help keep that small hook pinned in the fish. A long run here is fun. I do however often use the boat to move/keep the better fish out in the deep stuff (40-50 ft) On the other hand - If I'm fishing heavier cover (wood, pads, heavy weeds) or flipping the slop with heavy braid (jigs, plastics and Frogs) - No Drag Slip is the rule- Slam the hook home and winch them in. This is not a give and take situation - it's all take. Anything else usually results in a fish getting free. Of course your tackle must be rated to handle the demands required. Moving baits and treble hooks baits (topwater, crankbaits, spinnerbaits etc) are somewhere in between. They are routinely fished in and around some cover as well as more open water. Hook pulls are a concern and a overly tight drag here can contribute to this. Separately from your drag setting, your rod and type of line play a role here in keeping the fish on. A softer / slower action rod may absorb some of the stress applied in a fight where a stiff / faster action rod might not. Rule of thumb here could be a bit of drag slip on the hook set is a good thing. This setting could differ widely depending on your tackle (rod, reel and line combination). So what does all this mean - like most everything, this comes with experience. But at some point, we stop thinking about it and just do it. Until then, most of us learn the hard way, by losing some fish. Hopefully, it's not "The One" that keeps us up at night. A-Jay

Brilliant - reminds of this guy ~ A-Jay

That's Crazy ~ So he's the best Flying fish fisherman around . . . A-Jay

Hang in there - As for your "Team Leader" - Carma is headed his way, and it might not be pretty. A-Jay

YUP ! Unfortunately - these individuals are job security for Search and Rescue Professionals everywhere. A-Jay

I know - It was Joke J . . . A-Jay

Clearly you are not going to be able to focus on your job there with this very serious situation going on at home. This makes you more of a hazard to your unit than any help. They should be helping you get home any way they can. Have your family or the Hospital Re-contact the Red Cross - Your situation is what Emergency Leave Is For. Go find your Chaplin (Or your Senior Medical Officer if there is no Chaplin available) - plant yourself in the office and tell them that you're not able to focus on anything but your situation at home. Have the Chaplin contact your Command while you're there. Don't leave until you have solid arrangements that get you home. What's the worst thing they can do - No Officer worth his salt is going to fault you - don't stand for this - We all understand "needs of the service" but this is your Life man - Good Luck and I hope your wife is OK. A-Jay

This is a new one . . . . A-Jay

Nice job guys ~ And surprisingly Matt's not wearing Any Camo ? A-Jay

Count me as a fan of this hook as well. I did not have to change anything any thing that I'd done with "standard" drop shot hook. Line twist is a thing of the past for me with this rig. Fished the same hook now for three trips (and several fish) with no issues. A-Jay

Very Healthy looking Bass right there - Nice Job. A-Jay

20 lb Sufix 832 with 12lb Big Game leader - fished on Lamiglass SR705R (fiberglass) rod - I think this rod & braid make a nice combo for med/deep crankbait. A-Jay

Last Fall I was working a real brute of a fatty into the net as carefully as I could. Was definitely a PB crank bait bass - when suddenly she caught a second wind, blasted herself air-born and threw the hook - Broke my heart. A-Jay

I had a chance to check this reel handle out this past April. Dwight was fishing one, it's pretty sweet. I think I even took a couple of those photos on the site. A-Jay

I've been doing well nose hooking a 3.5" Big Bites Baits Dean Rojas Fight Frog ~ A-Jay

What you described is very similar to many of the waters I fish routinely. If docks are the only structure and some extend into deeper water, I'd start there. Fish might be anywhere in the water column on a dock in 20 fow. In that clear water, go stealth. Stay off the dock a good ways, and cast a weightless stick bait (wacky) on spinning gear and 4 lb line. Start at the end and cast all around it. Be patient. Let the bait do it's thing. If there are bass there, they'll eat it. Be prepared for the bite / fight. With that light line you'll need to be ready to move the fish out of there right off. I use the boat to help me move the fish out to open water. This is a very standard tactic for me and one that is often times the only way to get bit in the summer. You may be surprised at the quality fish under there and mid day is often the best time. Good Luck A-Jay

Made a few minor improvements / upgrades. Best one was rigging a second battery under the front seat to allow me to hook up auxiliary power (to get home) without actually moving the batteries. A-Jay

I have not done this - but I'm going to try it. I think I'd like the easier release - for both me and the fish. I will say that using a boga grip (Thanks Dwight) to unhook and release fish on treble hook baits has been nice. I usually can keep the fish in the water and it's definitely safer - A-Jay

Lust Gluttony Greed Sloth Wrath *** Pride This very sad situation has it all. A-Jay

Good One - So she Pinched a Loaf in the bread section. A-Jay