Hammer 4

No, it's not. just press your thumb on the spool when you set the hook, only takes a split second, then let the drag do it's work. Better to have a bit to loose than to tight, as was your case. Better luck next time.

It's been awhile since he commented on his YT channel about when he would return. I also hope he's doing o.k.

Won't load for me. Showing a 502 bad gateway. Then I get service not available.

This ^^^^ When there use to be local So. Cali fishing forums, we use to have photochop the background of and decent size bass we caught so as to not have a gazillion people show up the next day. If you look at my avatar, you'll see nothing but clouds in the background, that bass was caught at a very will known city park pond. So yeah, mums the word.

Ditto to what Tom said.

Straight braid: Flipping, or punching Heavy cover, and frog fishing. No leaders. 99% of everything else, I use mono. I have 1 rig with fluro, and I use that for when I go to lakes with gin clear water.

That sux. Hope your O.k.

This is why I'm not saying a word...lol

I have one just like that, only smaller. Got mine from Tom, that stores my 6" Hudds that I bought from him.

I envy all of you that can fall asleep in under a 10 mins. About 9 years ago I got lucky and developed a sleeping disorder. If I go to bed at midnight, I lay awake until about 2 or 2:30 am, then in about 2 to 3 hours, it's off to the bathroom. I get back to sleep pretty quick, but then my Carpal tunnel kicks in, my hands burn like crazy, so now I'm awake until it goes way, usually about 30 mins. I can't remember the last time I had even 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Maybe I should look into some Meds..haha And yes, I've seen a Doctor, I get these meds, not gonna mention the name, but it's not all that strong or habit forming. If you have trouble sleeping, see a Doctor.

No experience with the magdraft, but it will work for the weedless 6" hudd.

Rods are a personal thing. I have the Irod Tom is talking about, I've owned Okuma swimbait rods in the past. The Okuma for the $$ is a good rod, if that's your budget you won't be disappointed. IMHO for the extra $$, the Irod is a better choice. Again, it's all personal.

I had a Skill saw made in 1956, was all metal and would out cut any new Skill saw I had. Seems these days corded tools are a thing of the past according to a couple of guys I've talked to.

For the rod, you could get something like a Shimano SLX, maybe go with a 7'6" or longer, in a heavy fast, or xtra fast, depending on what your comfy with. These rods should be around the $ 100.00 mark. Personally, I'd look at a used 200 size reel, both Diawa and Shimano offers good options, as do some other makers, I'm just not familiar with Lews, ect. Also, you could put a WTB ad in the flea market, you never know what folks will offer up. Good luck with your search. Bedtime for me..

I would suggest looking at some used gear. There have been some Good deals in the fishing flea market forum. Buying new is going to take you a wee bit over your budget. The rod could be had for about $100.00 new, but then the reel is going to send that amount above what you'd like to spend.

But, the price of Diesel is getting way out of hand for me. Most stations are now at over $5.00 usd per gal. Being on social security, read limited income is just killin me money wise. It's also hurting the Owner operators too. Do the oil companies not make enough money that they have drive some of us into poverty ? If you use Diesel, what are you paying.?

What type of cover are you plan to fish, heavy, meaning lots of vegetation, maybe some tree stumps, or lay downs. The type of cover will determine the lure weight, and line. If on the other hand cover is moderate to light then things change. Keeping in mind that flipping and pitching are not the same technique. In flipping there is No casting what so ever, unlike pitching where your usually making short cast's. For me, I use a 8' H/F rod, rated for up to 8 oz lures. For pitching I use a 7'9" H/F rated up to 4 oz lures, line is also different. On the 8' rig I either use 50 lb braid, or 25 lb mono, on the 7'9" I use 17 to 20 lb mono. You could get away with using 1 rod, but it may lack in one area or the other. Need more info. to advise what to get. On the reel, I suggest a good 200 size baitcaster.

I also agree that an interview with Tom would be great...

That Snapper has Fish Tacos written all over it..Yummmy

Way over priced imho.

Pretty much how I look at the skunk. Time on the water, and learning from all fishing experiences for me is just part of the game.

What happened to Hanks leg. BTW, great looking pup..

Due to medical issues a few years ago, I lost over 40 lbs of muscle mass, and any fat I had, this combined with my age makes me get cold easily and in temps where 5 or more years ago, I would have been in a t-shirt and shorts, I'm now in long pants, with 2 or 3 layers to stay reasonably warm. When I go golfing and have a 6:30, or 7 AM tee time, I'm usually shivering, and can't hit a tee shot nearly as well as when I'm warm. That's why I asked about the heated vest's. Appreciate all the replies from you guys.

I Love reading these stories about your catching Giant bass, just motivates me even more to get multiple DD bass this year. Re: Casitis and Castiac, during the 80's I thought I was doing well at Lake Piru landing 5 to 8 lb bass almost regularly. I hate waiting in Loong lines, there were no lines at Piru, sometimes it was just me and occasionally Don Iovino. Maybe I should learned to be more patient, lol. Thanks for making me smile.