SirSnookalot

I use the maps all the time. Something I can't explain. All of the maps indicated a pond near my home for the last 3 or 4 years, drove by many times and there was no pond there. That area is now being developed and now the pond is there with the same exacts dimensions, what gives on that. I think it was a pond that was filled in at one time.

Jerkbait fishing is all about the pause, some people pause that bait a minute or so others just a few seconds, what ever is working for the day. I move the bait with an arm movement and just let the reel take up slack. I can fish a jerkbait with any rod, hook up is pretty easy the fish is coming after that lure hard.

A few ways to go, tieable wire gets some good reviews, although I've never used it. I rarely use wire but when I do I'll use piano wire (Malins) learn to tie a haywire twist, or nylon coated (Surlon) and crimp it. Many different tests are available.

Square knot wouldn't hurt. Singeing the tag end with a bic puts a little nib on the end, does help preventing pull thru. When it comes to a knot for braid I use an improved clinch, no problems, that said when I'm targeting fish like snook and tarpon, still only use 15 or 20# lines I make a second wrap on the improved clinch. Whatever your knot preference is, just tie right and there should be no problems. A fish pulling out line seldom breaks the line or a knot, it's too tight a drag that cause problems.

I believe we are talking about Ande tournament which I think is designed to break at the label. Just taking a guess as I'm not that well versed in their product line, it isn't for the recreational fisherman, it's for the trophy hunter and probably best suited for open water fishing. Submitting a fish to the IGFA is something that I am also not all that familiar with, I do think the IGFA tests the line to see if specs out before a record is recognized. I cheat, I use braid.................lol.

Fishing a jerk bait I don't think the rod is not overly critical, any all purpose and length will work just fine, what ever you are comfortable with. More important is how you fish a jerkbait, I basically just take up slack with the reel and move the bait with arm movements and pauses, the pauses are when I get most of the strikes. I fish a $55 7' med in high banked canals and in ponds I use a $75 6'6 ml, shouldn't need anything too specialized to set the hook with a jerkbait, the fish are coming to strike, not like dragging a bottom bait.

Congratulations !! Yesterday was my first day bass fishing with INTENT. A young chap drying my car at the car wash sees my rods and tells me he was catching 10# bass right and left at canal near my home. Knowing that it was an embellishment to say at the very least I was on trek to find this place. First cast I nail one about 22 inches, a few added dinks and I go to another spot, catch a couple around 15", got tired and went home a took a nap, lol. I thought I had shot of getting 100" in one day, I fell short but things are looking up. Need to get back to the car wash to get better directions, don't think I had his spot.

Nice Nice fish..............fight was only 2 minutes?

One of my neighbors had one similar, the HOA made him remove it.

Needing quite a bit of dry wall replacement due to my recent flood I thought it was like a 1 or 2 day job. Boy was I wrong, it took about 2 1/2 weeks, my worker was slow but very meticulous and did an excellent job. Not that this was a rude awaking but re discovering how inefficient insurance and mortgage companies can be. I'm too exhausted from this ordeal to go into detail on my saga, even over night mail isn't over night..........lol

As careful as one can be nicks can and will occur. Fishing 7 days a week with nothing but spinning gear for a solid 10 years I've yet to have a nick cause any line damage, running the gamut from inexpensive to the $200+ level. I've yet to address a nick, not that's a bad idea I just don't do it. I also never use the hook keeper on a rod, just hook my lure on the bottom guide, never had a nick there either, placing the hook on the foot of the guide is a better idea, I just get lazy about it.

Appreciate what you say, but when it comes down to overall knowledge there are many way ahead of me. I probably rely more on common sense than anything.

^^Can't really disagree too much.^^ Sounds like the rest of your life is in order, don't think you need any spiritual assistance. There are only a couple of options, find something else you enjoy doing or find different places to fish. I am having the worst fishing year I have ever had in Florida and just isn't me, the commercial fishermen having trouble making a buck. My bass fishing hasn't been up to it's normal standards either. All said, I'm not about to give up any fishing, eventually it will turn my way.

Where do you plan on keeping the tank, 350 gallons of water is over 2800 lb. First off I just had 50 gal hot water tank burst, been a nightmare here with 25k still on going for a month in restoration, and I can't imagine the damage 350 gallons would do if the tank was faulty, buy new. Don't know anything about keeping a bass, but I've had freshwater and saltwater tanks, do bass tanks require periodic water changes, filters do just so much, that would be a job draining and replacing 100 gallons of water. Generally fish in tanks grow to the size of the aquarium.

Just about all the time I'm fishing with 1 rod and the others are in rod holders or standing up some place on shore, haven't had the need to address a burr problem.

Every reel I own is a workhorse, no real favorites just take the right reel and rods for the target species and areas I'm fishing. Wouldn't be using the same outfits offshore, beach, jetties and freshwater, different set ups for each.

I would use 15# braid, 20# may even be better as it's more versatile. Whether you hook a LMB, pea, snook or tarpon, you have cover to deal with, a mh 10/20 rod isn't a bad choice and opens you up for a variety of species. I personally use a leader 100% of the time.

Personal choice, I like 6'6 and 7' med and ml power, heavier lures require a heavier rod.

I don't find the term handsome woman or handsome couple to be archaic at all, have said it myself numerous times.

Biggest difference between a 1# fish and 100# fish is 99#, not being intimidated is the key factor in success, the technique is easy to learn.

No sense in continuing this banter, I don't agree with much of what you say and I'll leave it at.

As I strictly fish for fun, I want the biggest and best fighting fish, don't care what the species is.

For the record there is a difference between a swivel and a snap swivel used to attach lures. For maybe 90% of the species of fish it probably doesn't matter, I find snap swivels to have an awkward look, don't care for it. For freshwater fishing, mainly LMB, I'll use a duolock snap (not a snap swivel), no better no worse than other brands. I use swivels as line connectors for my leaders nearly 100% of the time, the exceptions are certain species that will attack a swivel as readily as a lure, then I tie line to line. The only reason I use a duolock is to conserve my leader as I carry 1 rod and 2-4 lures and no other tackle with me, I can tie a loopknot very quickly, which is what I use for saltwater.

David, you and I are not going to agree on this one. I would think any one spending upwards of $400 on a rod would expect a quality made rod and know exactly what they want before spending that kind of money. If needed after spending $400 I would expect customer service to be better than just good. I may be a bit narrow minded, but I can't justify spending $400 or more on a rod that I may catch no more 20 fish in my entire life over 12 or 15 lb. I'm sure some of the non professionals have accomplished this feat, I haven't done so bass fishing, but wonder how many actually did use rods of that caliber, my guess is not too many.

3 one syllable words "I like it". Many tournaments are fun tournaments, prize fund isn't 4 or 5 figures, those hi end ones I probably never win anyway. Being in the competitive businesses I was in the winner can score 3-4-5 and even 6 figure deals, but second place gets ZERO, that's enough competition and pressure for me, I'll take fishing for relation.