SmokeRise1

That was excruciating.

I picked up a big selection including Chunks, Craws, Anacondas, Shads and Toads. Since I really like top-water, I've only really used the Shads and Toads. I would have to say Toads #1 and Shads #2.

No condemnation, just an observation. I'm glad you were able to release the first one. I've never eaten a bass that big. How was it?

I'm guessing that neither one was released as the photos were taken off of the water.

Nice fish! I was out on Tuesday night as well. I caught 18 LMB in about an hour and a half. Must have been something in the moon or stars that evening. Nothing as big as you pulled in but a hell of a lot of fun.

To tell you the truth, it took me more time then I wanted to get the hooks out of the dink and get him back it the water to look him over. All I had tied on was the Rico on one rod and a Skitter-Prop on another. I threw a handful of casts of each back at the spot but couldn't get bit. I have a big 6" perch hard bodied swim-bait that I will take down there tonight or over the weekend. Hopefully I will have something good to post.

I am involved in running a small fishing club in northern N.J. of about 50 members but growing steadily. We have monthly meetings and I'm interested in bringing in guides, tackle co. reps or other guests to speak to our members about products and fishing techniques. If anyone has any suggestions that could put me in contact with them, it would be greatly appreciated.

I was fishing the other night with a Rico popper and catching 1 to 2.5lb bass every few casts. After it got dark I headed over to a laydown along the east shore of my lake and proceded to pull in a few more dinks along with a couple of sunnies and a crappy. On one particular cast, near the end of my retrieve, I get a smashing hit that almost rips the rod out of my hands. I sweep the rod to bury the hooks while a few feet of line is stripped off by the fleeing fish. I get control and within a few cranks I'm holding a guppy. This little 7" bass had all 3 of the rear treble hooks in his very small mouth and I was left shaking my head. My guess is, a much larger bass must have been following the little guy up to the surface and hit him at the same time the little guy hit my popper. Since the little guy had all 3 hooks in his mouth there was nothing to hook the big guy on except the front treble which he fell short of. Either way it was a hell of a rush. Now I just have to figure out a way to make that happen again and hope I can get a hook or 2 into him.

I use Rage Tail Shads and Rage Tail Toads for this. There is nothing like dragging one of these guys over pads and then having a bass whollop it as soon as it drops into clear water. As mentioned braid is a must since you may have to pull a bass out of the middle of a patch.

Another reason to eat-out.

I'm fishing in a local AM bass tourny on Saturday July, 30th. I don't usually pay attention to solunar activity, but I just notice that Sunrise and Moonrise, on that day, will occur within about 20 minutes of eachother. Does anyone have any info on how this will effect the bass activity on that day?

I had the same situation a few months ago. Ended up trimming the "wing-nut" style handles on the motor and widening the holes on the lock to accept the new motor. It wasn't the right way to do it, but since I leave the motor on all summer and the widened holes are on the bottom anyway, I can't even see it. From where I sit, It looks perfect.

since

I just hope the whole fad is over by the time my daughters are of legal age to do things without my consent.

I have a Curado 201E on it now. I don't think it's a balance issue. I got the Vendetta at Cabelas. I will give them a call and see if they will exchange if for the Veritas.

Good question. my mistake. The Vendetta was around $90 and I realize I'll have to go higher to get a better rod, but I don't think I want to spend over $150 on the replacement. I see a Kistler Argon AFJ75C on my local Craigslist for $100. Would that be a good choice?

I fished in a tournament last weekend with a new 7'3" M/H Vendetta and after about 5 hours my shoulder was really getting tired. I hadn't ever fished with this rod for that length of time before and didn't notice that it was heavier then my other ones. Do any of you, who own one of these, find it heavy too? If I want to replace it with something lighter, what would you recommend?

Thank you. I guess I'll either have to bring a seperate rod loaded with straight braid or just cut the leader off to throw the frogs.

It is not my intention to tie this leader on for the sole purpose of fishing the frogs in slop. I like to try a lot of different lures and tactics when I'm out on the lake and don't bring a different rod for each. I just tie on another lure and fish. My question was, will having a flouro leader effect the frog?

I like to use braid with about a 6 foot flouro leader on just about everything I throw. I want to get into hollow bodied frogs this year and I'm just wondering if the flouro will give me problems. I know it sinks and should not be used with top-water baits, but will using only a short piece really have an effect on the action of the frogs? (Scumfrogs, Koppers etc.)

I had a Shimano Voltaeous a few years ago that fit into your price range. It was nothing special, but it did the job. I just picked up a Berkley Lightening Shock for a spare rod, which is also in your price range, and I like it a lot. There are a lot of choices in this price range. Try out as many as you can and buy one that you are comfortable with and will have confidence with.

After a pretty good fight with a Striper this weekend my Cardiff 401a started clicking when turning on the retrieve and I can no longer get it into free-spool (the thumb bar does not disengage the spool). I opened it up, took the spool out and then put it back together (that is about all I know how to do) but this had no effect. If anyone has one of this type of reel and has any advice I would really appreciate it. If I can't fix it on my own I will send it to DVT but wanted to try it on my own first. Thanks

I was fishing with a new Vendetta last night throwing Rage Toads. It was the first time I'd fished this rod hard since I just got it in the off season. Anyway, I develped a blister on the middle finger of my rod hand. It wouldn't be an issue but I am fishing in a club tournament on Friday evening and plan to fish the same way. Does anyone know of any special tape or something that I could wrap around my finger or the rod handle to cushion it a little until I can build up a callus? I think a band-aid will end up falling off after a few hundred casts. Thanks in advance.

Welcome Home! and thank you and everyone serving at home and abroad.

Regardless of whatever method you choose....this was great reading. It reminds me of a question my dad used to ask: If a man and a half could dig a hole and a half in a day and a half, how long would it take a one legged man to kick the stuffing out of a brass monkey?