Maggiesmaster

I’m a big Lews fan. Think I’d get the tournament Pro at a discount & use the savings on an upgraded rod.

My problem won’t be casting, as I cast left-handed and only reel with my right. Problem, doc said, would be accidentally straining or re-injuring my rotator cuff while handling the boat. Anyone else’s doc talked to them about this?

I had rotator cuff surgery (right shoulder) July 27. Will be in a sling for 3 more weeks (6 was total) and approx. 3 months rehab. Even though I’m left-handed, surgeon was non-commital about when I could resume fishing; said he was concerned about my being in a boat with a weak shoulder. Does anyone have any experience fishing after this surgery?

They’ve given me great service also.

I let the line out while the boat’s moving slowly. This ‘softens’ the line & removes kinks, etc. Then I use KDV conditioner.

I’ve found the shin knot is a bit smaller than the Alberto knot. It does well for me with standard (NOT micro) guides. As far as the fog knot, I’m doing all I can do just tying the shin & Alberto knots; won’t even try the fg!

To me, it’s a little bit smaller (less bulky) than the Alberto knot, and a bit easier to tie. Google it; number of descriptions on the internet.

I use 30# braid with a 12# mono leader. That’s enough to handle the bass in my favorite lake. My leader length is just long enough to keep from running in the spool, and tied with a shin knot. I’ve actually had a leader go into the spool and cast fine, except it rubs against my thumb during the cast. Use standard guides, not micro guides. I’ve gotten away from supergluing the knot, because it makes it hard and seems to hurt the casting. Just be sure to cut the tag end of the mono really close.

Wish I could find a good used gold Carbonlite reel! The one I got several years ago on sale for something like $45 outfishes my new Lewis.

Yes. A 12Lb. Mono leader joined with a Shin knot. The knot doesn’t bother me, and the yellow braid is easy to see in the water. Reason I use mono instead of fluorocarbon is I have the mono on hand!

I use mostly Lews reels, but probably my favorite is an old gold BassPro Carbonlite. I paid something like $60 for it way back when; wish I had bought several more.

I use mono backing on braid because 50 yards of braid is all I need, and that way a 150 yd spool of braid will do 3 reels, instead of 0nly one.

I use 30 lb yellow braid with a 12 lb mono leader, joined with a Shin knot. The braid let’s me feel the bottom better with worms & creature baits. For everything else, I use mono.

Don’t pee off the side of the boat! I carry a cutoff Clorox jug for that. As to #2, I carry a package of baby wipes—haven’t had to use them yet, but they’ll sure come in handy if ever needed.

I’ve gone to the Shin knot; looks to me it’s almost the same as the Alberto, but a bit thinner. Only had it come loose one time, when I cut the mono tag too close.

Etrailer.com sells quality trailer wiring parts.

Haven’t broken any yet—don’t know why! 1)I carry my rods butt first, like a fly fishermen would. 2) NEVER let my rod tip extend outside of the boat (cost a friend two rods), and 3) made a cheap traveling case from schedule 40 pvc, end caps & sponges. Then, rods travel well in truck beds.

I’ve had really good success with the Netbait Paca Craw baits, but the legs break off with almost every bass I catch. I’ve patched some with a lighter, but I’m running out of legs! Does anyone know of a really tough crawfish/creature bait? Am I doing something wrong with my hook set, etc?

I read somewhere that the gap of the hook should be twice the size of the bait. That puts mine around a 4/0 or so. I’ve gone to traditional offset hooks rather than the EWG ones. That’s because the hook point on the EWG hooks aren’t offset with the eye, thus a more difficult hookset. Utube has several videos on this.

I’ve started using yellow braid with a 6’ mono leader. First used the Alberto knot, as it holds great and is easy to tie. However, I’ve started using the Shin knot, because it (if tied correctly!) gives only one layer of wrapped line, and seems smoother when the knot goes through the guides. I try to cut both lines as closely as I can, and put a drop of smoothed superglue on the knot to (hopefully) make it travel smoother. It seems to hold ok. I’m open to any suggestions, though!

My brother and I fished in Mountain Home AR yesterday in an all-day rainstorm. My ‘waterproof’ Cabelas duck hunting jacket and bibs leaked after an hour or so. His BassPro 100 mph suit didn’t leak at all. I’d buy it, but hate to be a walking ad for BassPro. Is the AFTCO Hydronaut suit as waterproof as the BassPro Goretex suit? I’m talking about all-day rain.

I bought two Pro-Qualifers for $50 each. I also have a Lewis that cost $350. It fishes better than a Pro-Qualifier, but not 7 times as good.

What is the least expensive Garmin fish finder that can download .gpx files?

Send it to Lews repair service in Springfield MO for repair.