Shane J

You are definitely in the right place. Nice to have ya.

Pats: 31 Denver: 24 I'm looking forward to this one

Another thought would be to have him do a wish list on the Bass Pro Shops website. Then you'll have a real good idea of what he wants, but he won't know what, if anything, you are going to buy for him.

Look for rocky points just outside of deeper, slower moving water whenever possible. There you can cover three bases in one location. If they have moved up a little due to a warm up, then you can pick them off along the shorline. If they are relating to rocks or drop-offs into deeper water, you will know in short order. Try jigs and drop shot rigs worked painfully slow when your water is 40 degrees or less. Just remember that smallies WILL still eat, you just gotta match their level of activity, and you might catch some of your biggest smallies of the year. I know I do.

Shakey head fishing is the Bomb when the bite is tough. My favorite baits for this technique, are 7" Rage Tail Thumper worms and Rage Craws. My buddy always uses the Trick Worms, but he seems to catch a lot more dinks than I do when I'm using the bigger profile baits. We both agree on one thing, though. The best shakey head jig out there, is the Moaner Stiffy Jig.

Definitely the Shimano Ci4. The thing is sweet.

Nice. I've done the same thing. Pitch or flip into somewhere, and not even thought about if I actually caught a fish. Almost broke a rod once, and almost ended up in the water another time. Good job though, buddy!

I can't wait to use these!

Bow Lake is great, as is the Merrimack. Squam is very good, though, just had more luck at the others.

That's nice, man, I bet it's like silk.

Nice setup, J. I'd say 8.5 for the rod, 9.5 for the reel, and 9.5 for the line, for an overall average of 9.17 Since you did your drop shot setup, I'll do mine, which is similar: Rod: 6' 8" Shimano Cumara M XFast Reel: Shimano Stradic Ci4 2500 Line: 8lb Seaguar Invizx

I know this. I can pick up one of my Curados, and sling whatever I'm throwing a mile without fear of backlash, and then switch to one of my Revo STX's (with dual breaking), and not have the same confidence UNTIL I have tweeked the brakes or cast control a bit up or down (then they cast even further). I thought there was going to be a night and day difference, but in reality, there isn't. Your thumb and cast control knob are your best friends.

Anyway... My favorite combo for light Tx rigs. Rod: JB Customs "Snake" rod (spiral wrapped) Reel: Daiwa Fuego-L Supertuned, spool bearing upgrades, Carbontex smoooth drag, 4 bearing swept handle upgrade Line: 15lb Seguar AbrazX Flouro I love this combo, because casting is effortless, and with around a 25% increase in distance and accuracy, while being off the charts for sensitivity

I would guess around 7:00 or so. When was the last time you got out there?

Right on, Rob. I'm sure I'll see you around. Glad you signed up, we got a good group of guys from NH on here. Ps- I'll be out on Turkey on Sunday

After you spool it on, tie it to something fixed, like a tree or fence, and walk it way back, then re-reel it back onto the spool. At the same time run the line through a rag soaked with Line and Lure Conditioner (just because the stuff is awesome). That should fix you right up.

10lb line is a little small for a 3/8 oz spinnerbait. I'd go up to 15-17lb 100%flouro. Doubt you'll have any more break offs. That Vanish is junk.

Nope, I think they are the same fish, too, but the second picture looks bigger. Either way.... DAAAAAMNNN!!! That's a nice one!

Nice fish, Eloo! Congrats on the PB.

Well, I'll see you out there then. Next Sunday, it's on! I got my peeps on it right now.

Yeah, I'm dying to get out to Cobbett's, but what's up with it? Is it private? Where's the launch. I have a buddy whose mom just bought a house on it, so I know I'll be on it at some point, but I'm not sure about whether or not I can yet. For tomorrow, I think I'm gonna hit Gregg Lake in Antrim.

It's supposed to be beautiful tomorrow, so where's everybody fishing? I haven't decided yet, but the boat's loaded and itchin' for some fishin'!

I don't, either. As long as there's open water somewhere, I'm on it!

Yeah, I pretty much find that to be true most of the time. Bigger baits, with bigger profiles, may get you less fish overall, but will more often than not, land you the biggest (or most aggressive) fish in the area you are targeting. That's more my style. I'm not just fishing for fish, I'm fishing for THE fish (Big O told me that once, and I've adopted the same philosophy).

Easy. Swim jig with a Baby Craw on it. When they want moving baits, this one is killer.