A-Jay

The subwalk has been a good bait for me almost exclusively for SMB., although I have caught a fair share of LMB and Pike with it. This is NOT the magic lure - it's just a bait that not many guys throw so the fish don't see it and accordingly I have quite a bit of confidence in it and it's fun to fish. As for "walking the dog" with this bait - I have found that there was no need to be concerned with trying to make the bait do the "classic" side to side walk the dog action underwater. Since the first time I threw the subwalk I was hoping to get a reaction type strike. (which makes this a good search lure). Using the water temp, season, and fish activity level as a guide for how quickly to work the bait and how long the pause should be. The cooler the water, the slower it's worked and the longer the pause - as it's warming up I speed up the retrieve and shorten the pause - just like a jerkbait. Early last spring I took many fish as the bait laid motionless - I think it just ticks the SMB off so much that the bait doesn't try to flee they just Can't stand it and they smash it ! So it's a short jerk reel pause, short jerk, reel and short pause. Don't worry about how it looks along the side of the boat, just heave it out there and use a erratic stop and go and if there are SMB around - you'll know it I have also found that by using a shorter casting rod I get the best action on this bait. Short is relative to your particular build I guess. I'm like 5-10 so by using a 6 foot medium casting rod (lamiglass actually) I can stand up in the boat and work the bait TIP DOWN with a quick short side jerking motion while immediately taking up the slack with the reel and then pausing as mentioned previously. A fast reel helps when you're moving the bait faster- I use a 7:1 ratio. The clearer the water the better. I fish some really gin clear lakes and I have taken fish on this bait fishing at the edge of drop offs that were over 20-25 feet deep early and late in the day. Certainly water in the 5-15 feet is best. The fish will sometimes come a long way for this bait. I have heard stories of fish coming to a Zara spook in these same conditions- though I have not done it. I think the SMB are more willing to commit to this bait because it is Not on the surface. And a follow is almost as good as a hit because at least they showed themselves and I can go back with another bait (tube, senko or whatever) and might get a few that way. Hope that Helps. A-Jay

For me . . . It's that split second between the strike and the hook set. That anticipation and satisfaction of solid resistance as the rod bows and the drag slips a little confirming that this might be a "better" fish. A-Jay

Here's the Winter ride and the Summer ride. Really looking forward to ringing out - the Summer ride. A-Jay

Another vote for the Carolina rig. I keep rigging them up and throwing them when I think the conditions are right ~ problem is, they never are . . . . :'( A-Jay

x2 A-Jay

From Russ's site (***) ~ A-Jay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360225158309&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp4712.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D360225158309%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1 Mustad KVD Elite Treble Hook #TG76BLN This is the hook that KVD has been clobbering everyone who's anyone in the bass fishing world for approximatley the past two seasons. It's finally available to people other than KVD. I imagine that must make KVD sad. He had a good thing all to himself there for a long time. It's Mustad hook model #TG76BLN, also know as the KVD Elite Treble. I first heard it was on the drawing board (or the need was perceived for it by KVD) at the beginning of 2008, and now it is finally here (early 2010). Why do I pick this hook as one of the best new things for bass anglers? It obviously is not rocket science or radically advanced new hook technology - but it is the exact quality, strength, shank, point, sharpness, durability and everything else that KVD has ever wanted in a treble hook. That's significant. As anyone who follows KVD knows, he has practically specialized in crankbaits the past couple of seasons, and during that time, KVD has been figuring out, defining and now Mustad has produced the best possible crankbait hook that KVD requires - and I've been watching it take shape and waiting for it's arrival too. Despite all the many fine trebles already on the market, I think this is an important and needed new hook model. I think you'll like it. The wire gauge is thicker, 1X stronger (just the way KVD likes it). KVD Elite Treble #TG76BLN (bottom row) is 2X shorter and 1X stronger than comparable size Mustad Triple Grip Wide Gap Treble #36233BLN (top row) It has a hard black nickel finish that resists point-dulling and corrosion. I had spoken to KVD about that, and one of the ways he's been using his deep-running crankbaits is to grind them into the hard bottom spots on ledges, channel bars and humps for example. These are hard bottom areas that often contain compacted shells, rocks, gravel. So you can imagine how fast hooks may dull by grinding crankbaits onto these spots. The new KVD Elite Treble is designed to stand up to that abuse as best any hook can, according to KVD. Not only does the black nickel finish resist dulling, making the hook point stay sharper longer. KVD told me that the black nickel finish on these hooks adds about 20% more strength to the hook, just from the hard finish alone. It is based on a Triple Grip design that's morphed to be 2X shorter. So you can not only replace old trebles but upsize (another thing KVD likes doing). Since the shanks are 2X shorter, the next size up of KVD Elite Treble is not lengthier than the original hooks and won't marry (tangle each other) any more than the originals, if at all. Of course the KVD Elite Treble sports an UltraPoint on the business end, with the new 4.3 Micro Sharp Point Technology that's not only the sharpest possible but at the same time strongest possible point ever produced by Mustad.

X2 - And the new smaller 3/8 size might be even better on smb. A-Jay

I've had that happen to me here (BR) a few times. I think it's a type of copyright block. Certain brand name products when typed, will appear in the box prior to posting, but once posted they are mysteriously gone. Purposely misspelling the word worked. A-Jay

That is a great reel. Here is a link for parts and service from Quantum and a review from Tackle Tour. A-Jay http://www.quantumfishing.com/CustomerService/ReplacementParts.aspx?ProductID=2362 http://www.tackletour.com/reviewquant06ept.html

Strike King now makes a Burner model with down sized blades. http://www.***.com/Strike_King_Burner_Spinnerbait/descpage-SKBS.html They also make a Bottom Dweller - heavier bait - same down sized blades. http://www.***.com/Strike_King_Bottom_Dweller_Spinnerbait/descpage-SKBD.html#pImage I do not have these baits - I made my own. A-Jay

Fantastic Post ! A-Jay

Neck Brace ? ! Ahhh. Hope you heal soon. A-Jay

This is a real story and it happened to a man who needed to be rescued . . . . . . The incident began at the fuel dock. After refueling, this man realized that he had spilled a considerable amount of gas which had formed a sizable puddle on the aft deck of his boat. He then started his boat and moored at his normal slip in the marina. Next he went to his truck, got an electric wet/dry vac, plugged it into an outlet on the dock and started to Vacuum up the gasoline. You got to see where this is going. It didn't take long for the gas fumes to collect in the metal vac can. Within minutes - BOOM ! The vac exploded launching shrapnel into the guy and blasting him off the boat and into the water. His boat caught fire and exploded which in turn caught 5 other vessels tied up next to him on fire too. When we arrived on scene (USCG) the marina personnel had managed to pull the man to safety, then they cut all the boats on fire free. The burning vessels were drifting around and taking turns blowing up, all of them eventually burned to the waterline. I later found out this fine mariner was employed as a family physician. A-Jay

Nice ! Was he wearing a tank top and sandals ? That's the way we see'm up here. A-Jay

x2 A-Jay

Lund Explorer, - I hear you, - you made some good points and I do not want to make a big deal out of this. I have the highest respect for tournament fisherman's ability to travel to vastly different locations and still locate and catch quality bass day in and day out. I really like KVD and even picked him to win in the BR contest. There's no doubt that he still had to make all the right decisions regarding where how and when to fish to win. The other anglers in the same area did not have the same success KVD had. I wish that Timmy Horton had not even mentioned the information regarding where the previous 10 years worth of tournament bass were released, whether it's true or not. As for the idea that the practice of tournament fishing in the immediate area where tournament caught bass are released, goes on all the time does not change my opinion that the practice undermines the spirit of the competition and good sportsmanship. As for rec fisherman going to the release site and loading up, well that might be the same as taking fish off beds. We can debate this from a couple of different perspectives, and we may not ever agree and that's OK. A-Jay

Me too. Is it a coincidence that the winning bags came from the spot where they release fish to ? I'm going to be watching where the competitors fish this season and ask BR member who might know where the fish are released on that body of water. Someone will know. Either way, this is not discussed openly as part of any one's "Tournament Strategy". One man's opinion, these waters should be off limits during a contest with includes the anglers at the highest level. They already fish the best lakes, at the best times and now we are bring the fish to them, and in the Super Bowl of Bass Fishing ? I'm hoping they change the rule where if a release boat is not regularly utilized on that body of water, a large portion of that area is Off Limits during the tournament. A-Jay

Makes sense to me. A-Jay

While watching the day 1 Classic coverage Friday Night with T Sanders and M Zona, they brought in Timmy Horton for some Classic in sight and he had some interest points. One in particular that I hadn't heard or considered before. He said that ALL the fish caught during the many many tournaments held on these lakes are released right there in Beeswax Creek. This is a standard procedure and it's been going on for years. So do you guys think this comes into play when choosing where to fish ? After being released, does a good portion of the bass make that area their new home? If there is ample food and the environment there is suitable, wouldn't this area have a higher concentration of fish than the rest of the lake, considering Bass are being removed from all over the lake and being relocated in this area on a fairly regular basis ? I would seriously consider fishing for the "Retreads" (as Timmy Horton called them) at every tournament. A-Jay

First I'd like to preface this response with this - Disagreement is not the same as disrespect. Is it dangerous to take a small boat on a big lake? This is something you have to decide. There is no set rule as to what size boat should be on what size body of water. Knowledge and experience dictates that decision for each boater. Just like any new venture, learn as much as you can and seek Professional advice. When people tell you over and over how they take a very small vessel out onto a large body of water all the time and they are fine so you'll be ok - I say check the statistics. You don't want to be one of them. What people are really saying is that "I have been beating the odds so far." During a career in the US Coast Guard with Search and Rescue as my primary responsibility and teaching boating safety to people from all walks of life, it always amazed me how intelligent, successful people were willing to routinely risk their lives and the lives of their families and friends day after day, trip after trip, for some fun in the sun. The question is - do you want to? I look at it this way ~ "Is it a good idea to drive much faster than the road conditions actually allow or much faster than the vehicle is designed to go" ? Yes you can do it and often times you will be ok but there are many who have not been ok - they're just not here to talk about it. Rhino provided the link to a site loaded with info. One portion of the site includes Boating statistics of every type. It's allot to digest but this portion is applicable to you. Year after year the number 1 reason for marine fatalities is capsizing. The class of vessel that capsizes the most are vessels less than 16 ft. That's not to say smaller boats are unsafe, or that larger boats are safer, they are not - it means people are making the choice to navigate their boat into a situation that either exceeds the limitations of the craft, their own skills or both. And it's done more by people who own smaller boats. But it's not the boats fault. People in larger vessels have made the same decision with similar results. Right job needs the right tool. So the question you should ask yourself every time you go out is "Am I making a Safe and Smart decision and am I putting myself (and my passengers) in harms way voluntarily?" Fishing is fun but not worth a life. Every time we go on the water it's a potentially life threatening situation, but as others have mentioned we just have to be safe and smart about it so we can live to catch another day. A-Jay

Good for you - If you haven't been participating in a regular exercise program recently there will always be an adjustment (soreness). Start out slow - if you pull a hammy that will set you back. P90x and all the programs like it, require a lifestyle change in order to get any but especially the full benefit of the program. So the program itself is a very short, but intense, life style change. More importantly, if you do not continue the "lifestyle" change there is a distinct possibility that you will eventually be right back where you started. The great thing is it's allot easier to maintain it once you get there. A fellow Drill Instructor used to tell his recruits "Your physical appearance is a direct reflection of your lifestyle." It made me think. Good Luck A-Jay

A damp micro fiber cloth does a nice job - Man this has been a long winter. A-Jay

Nice fish and GREAT SHIRT ! A-Jay

Nice job Glenn, especially being on the other end of the questions for a change. I really enjoy Mark's type of wacky humor - I just never know what to expect. A-Jay