A-Jay

Yea that's fun - especially with virtually no horizon for reference. More than once I was a bit closer to the bank than I thought and ended up throwing my bait three-quarters of the way up a very tall pine tree ~ but I got a great hook set. A-Jay

I use an older model Plano spinnerbait box where the baits hang from the center vertically. For those of you using the pouch binder, do you have to let the baits dry out after use and before sealing them in the pouches ? A-Jay

As long as I get to see this smile ~ Life is good. A-Jay

Thank you A-Jay

x2 I took that information to heart before last season. I also picked up a nice swim jig starter kit (which has since turned into a hefty collection). These baits were very effective for me on both LMB and SMB. It's been very versatile taking fish around all kinds of cover from very shallow with 1/4 oz to about 15-20 feet with 3/8 oz in early spring right through fall. But the niche I found a swim jig fits into best is as sort of a semi-finesse cool water moving bait - if that make sense. During the spring when the fish aren't willing to hit a jerk bait, the swim jigs takes fish. The presentation I use almost exclusively but especially in the spring, starts with a cast into/around structure, cover, a drop off/ledge, (you get the idea) allowing the bait to get to the bottom and then nothing more than a slow steady retrieve. An occasional pause to allow the bait to sink will re-establish contact with the bottom - many many strikes occur during the pause/fall. I have thrown 1/4 and 3/8 oz baits on both casting and spinning gear and have no particular preference. Like any other bait, I let the conditions / cover dictate the tackle. Natural darker colors, greens, browns, dark reds - (sounds like crayfish colors) have been the best. And despite many anglers having good results throwing "spinner bait" colored swim jigs - whites, chartreuse and other bright colors, I have had almost NO fish on those colors. But when there are bait fish around, I'll keep trying. Also the 5.2 pb in my avatar gobbled up a *** 1/4 green pumpkin swim jig w/ 4" Berkley Power grub also in green pumpkin. A-Jay

;D ;D Good Stuff. But ~ Professional = pregnant dog ? I don't get it ? A-Jay

I didn't realize you were friends with the owner. We may never know. I love those reel and would be bummin' if it were one of mine. A-Jay

Although the reel was not used in salt water, many plastic baits do have salt added but I question if salt alone could do that kind of damage in such a short period of time. Really does look like an acid / corrosive issue though. What did the rod it came off look like ? A-Jay

I was incorrect. Took ten minutes and I found what I'll need to give it a go. Thanks again Garry2Rs A-Jay

Different strokes for different folks. I would at least like to try it out. Unless something new comes out, I will Never go back to fishing with reels full of anything but some kind of braid. The days of fishing with a elastic band are gone. With few exceptions, I'm throwing some kind of leader. I am not a fan of having the leader knot clicking it's way through the guides. I like trying new stuff. If nothing else, it gives me another option. I did this type of spice on a larger scale years ago while offshore trolling with high test Dacron line and mono top shot. I'm confident that it does have an effective application, at least for me. Getting the line seems easy enough but location one of those little needles to splice with sounds challenging. A-Jay

Way to go ! I am very jealous - the snows gone and we're still working on the ice. A-Jay

I'm guessing reality. Is that Power Pro's new Hollow Ace line spliced with the needle (from the guy on the West Coast) that could put 12 to 15 pound fluoro inside this PP 40# test ? I'm not sure if this is going to be the next big thing, but I am very interested and would certainly appreciate any and all information you'd be willing to share. A-Jay

That's it. The spinning rod covers fit a bit looser than the casting rod models. However, as a previous BR member posted in another thread, a little touch up with a heat gun on the cover (without the rod in it) will snug it up nicely. A-Jay

All Blue & Yellow? I think we have ourselves a Wolverine fan here. ;D Well, sort of - My wife is really the true fan. I think the bait monkey might have picked those particular colors to get financial clearance for the purchase. A-Jay

Sorry I can not help you with a comparison regarding the Mojo or the Gloomis. I'm sure others can and will. A-Jay

That's one big bug-eyed bass. Nice Job ! A-Jay

I really enjoyed watching the BASS weigh-ins before they started with the 360 deal because after that there was no way to see any of the tournament action until the network broadcast several weeks later. ESPN.360 was not available via my Internet provider. But this weekend and I don't exactly know how or why, I was able to see every weigh in of the Elite Series TroKar Duel in the Delta. Hope it continues. Of course, I'd rather be fishing. A-Jay

That's Really Funny ! ;D A-Jay

Wow. I'm sure her family is very proud. What is it exactly that she is teaching her daughter ? Never give up on your dreams ? :-? A-Jay

I'm with you on the uni to uni. I've never had a problem with it either. In fact I am very good at tying it quickly and correctly which is good because I re-tie them often through of the day - just makes me feel better. But all knots have a breaking point and although I have not had a problem with the uni knot parting unexpectedly, after my own little testing evolution, I think the Alberto knot retains a load a bit closer to the original line strength. In fact, when I connected a length of braid to Yozuri Hybrid at both ends with an Alberto knots, the fluorocarbon and nylon hybrid line parted in the middle and not at either Alberto knot 8 out of 10 times. A-Jay

I fish both of the rods below. One's 6'6" the other is 6'10". The shorter rod is great for throwing at targets a bit closer and the longer stick will get you a little extra distance. These rods are very attractively priced right now. I don't know how you feel matching your sx with a Quantum rod ~ is that allowed ? A-Jay http://cgi.ebay.com/QUANTUM-TOUR-PT-PTC666FKV-66-MED-HVY-BAITCAST-ROD_W0QQitemZ200384668142QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2ea7db61ee http://cgi.ebay.com/QUANTUM-TOUR-PT-PTC6106FKV-610-MED-HVY-BAITCAST-ROD_W0QQitemZ310200892573QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item483969fc9d

Yes I am. I like them. I use them to hang the rods and reels in the "tackle shop" as well as to help ensure safe storage during transits to and from the water in the truck. Just the other day, I got a good deal in a few more right here in the BR Flea Market. A-Jay

http://www.stripersonline.com/Pages/Articles/article_arby_albertos_knot.shtml Yes ! From another thread - -I picked up assorted spools of Yozuri hybrid this off season to use on the front end as a leader for braid. I have been using a uni to uni knot connection for this for years. I had tried the Alberto's Knot against the uni but the uni knot always won. But I have a feeling the inferior florocarbon line I was using then was more the cause than the knot. Today, I had my own version of Knot Wars - uni against the Alberto's Knot The Alberto's Knot won hands down - the uni to uni knot broke EVERY TIME ! I was shocked. I've been a big fan of the uni and now I'll never tie another. So I've got about a month before the season starts to become proficient at the Alberto's Knot to where I can tie it in my sleep. A-Jay

Headed out for my first recon mission today to determine lake access and percentage of open water - if any. I am very happy to report All access roads are clear and / or passable. However we still have 90% ice coverage on most waters. But with the forecast this coming week of days in the 50's and nights above freezing - it shouldn't be too much longer - right ? And in the spirit of high hopes - we will not even mention anything about a possible future cold snap and more snow . . . . . . . . A-Jay

Test it for yourself ~ it's important to have confidence in your gear. The Alberto is no more difficult to tie than a double uni, just different - might even be easier. A-Jay