Low_Budget_Hooker

Don't sweat it Scott, Live bait anglers don't really warrant an opinion on this one. No one is going to try and look in their shiner bucket to see what size they are killing them on. DOH! Seriously R-Dub, we love ya to death but........where does this animosity come from?? For the record, I feel I know what I am doing, but whenever Tin fishes my lake,...he's usually schooling the rest of us. I attribute this directly to his diversity as an angler. Something he HAD to learn as a tournament agler to accomplish his current (long) list of accolades. But back to the topic at hand, I also don't have much say as my tourny experience is less than 30 tourny's or so, and most of those were salt water. I won't knock on something I have no experience with. Tin,...I suggest launching at the next tourny with a helicopter lure tied on...... Even better, I'll make you a 7 section, 4 lb swimbait in Pink. lol

If you are uncomfortable with any of the suggestions that will be coming, PM GMAN,...he has this stuff down cold.

Just a monent to remind everyone that if you are lucky enough to have a REAL friend. A person who puts themselves aside in your time of need, take the time to tell them how much they mean to you. Sounds gay? oh well, suck it up, these people are far more important than someone elses perception. I am in a personal situation that got VERY, VERY ugly in the last week. I can't say THANK YOU enough to Dirk for being my rock and the one who is keeping me grounded. Real friends show their true colors when the crap hits the fan, don't let their allegiance go unmentioned. Sorry for the EMO thread but........some things have to be said.

I decided to go big and have not looked back since. I'm a swimbaiter now. This is a perfect time to pass out the thank yous. 4Bizz,MattLures, Branus, Paul, etc, for the tips and techniques and all the explanation for the things I was experiencing. Big M, dsaavedra, and all the others in "tacklemaking",...you guys are a great resource, a HUGE help. A HUGE thank you to RedlineRobert and Glenn. Redline gave me a Crucial for my birthday and Glenn gave me a Revo stx as a Thank you. Without this set up, I'd be stuck where I was. How I got here. Thanks to Muddy (+ Elaine), RW and Alpster for the rods I used and broke to get to where I am now,lol. Your rods were my "growing pains". Thanks to all.

Exactly. The fishing will come back but family being safe is #1. Maybe this is a good time to explore new water, expand your comfort zone.

I read once , something about the bubbles behind a buzzbait. When they are there, it means the barometer is low, should be a good bite. No bubble trail, don't bother. Have you found this to be accurate within your experiences?

an observation: Many "mouse" lures are just frog baits with whiskers. The most appealing part of the baits I make is that sexy, sexy, sexy, tail on the end. It looks so good back there that I want to bite the stupid thing,lol With this said, I think many folks may find some benefit in adding a tail to some of your frog baits!! Anything can be used from a piece of rawhide to a shoe lace to a needle worm. Try it, what's to lose?

Don't own one so I'm in Ryans boat but I have to comment. If you are ready to throw that bait, I say take the extra step right off the bat and throw the full size swims. Just saying, the 1 thing that keeps people from throwing the big stuff is lack of confidence in such a bait. This bait is no different than those, only by size. GO BIG! I think you're ready.

Yea baby!! Score one for the good guys!!!!! May I suggest you take a trip to the recycle plant with a cold case of beer. Kudos to the heros!!

"How's yours,mine's a little tough"

Good point, but to expound a bit,.......was it a dynamite color or were you in the right place at the right time? Variables we will never know.

My HERO!!!! Rats rule

Shimano Crucial 7' 11" Heavy

Agreed

Whew,....I feel better now,...I saw a blue crayfish this morning...... : ;D Not saying blue doesn't work, but has anyone seen a bass eat anything blue?? Kind of makes you wonder if they are hitting the color or the fact that your bait resembles something alive and vulnerable. Oh wait,...there goes a blue Hellagramite too,.....hmmmmm ;D

Big O, I need to send a thank you to them,should it go to Chris?

CHICCKEEEEN !!!!!! U afraid of her ? be a man, not a wuzz ! ( thankfully mine ain 't around or --------> :-X ) C'mon Amigo, you gotta give the guy props for having the forethought to launder the purchase,....I smell a real fisherman here folks ....

Well GOOD MORNIN' Partner Rise and shine, it's time to catch some fish

Greens, blacks and browns. But don't stress on color just yet, there are much more important factors (IMO) like learning "feel" and "cadence". Mix it up.

Save the ink man,....these lessons don't sink in till they are pounded in with a shoe, household appliance, ashtray or anything light enough for her to throw.

My mantra,...."you catch on what you throw, you don't catch if you don't go." If 80% of the people fishing the waters that hold these particular fish are all throwingsoft plastics,....odds are, the sharelunker page will reflect that. It has nothing to do with the bass preferring them over bait "B". If Cali had a sharelunker program and you posed this question based on their stats, you'd see a completely different class and selection of baits. I would think,lol...all stipulation obviously. Don't get me wrong, if I ever get to Catt's neighborhood and we hit his lake one night,...I'll be throwing his 10" worm. I'm opinionated but I ain't stupit ;D

Good point Muddy

Bravo, great read!!

It's only fair if they get to win a few times anyway, right? ;D

Robert just called. He asked me to post a big "Thank You" to all who sent prayers and kept them in your thoughts. :D Gidget is out of surgery and all went well !! :D THANK YOU ALL!! -Robert & Gidget