SoFlaBassAddict

I've had those bookmarked for a while now. Never thought to post them here. They're showing an older reel, but the same principles apply. Good instructional video.

If I get out, you're definitely welcome to go. The weather outlook looks nice. Not sure what the winds/seas are going to be though. I'm going through some tackle just to be ready if the chance shows up. I need to run the boat soon anyway. Lobster season isn't too far away.

Just gotta hit the color change on the ocean side of the reefs right now. I'm hoping to get out sometime in the coming week, and cringe the entire time when I pay for fuel. Been hearing nothing but good reports from Lauderdale to Fowey Rocks then south some more to Pacific Reef down to Carysfort Light. The outside of the Whistle Buoy is supposedly very good right now also.

Prawns man, prawns. Looks freakin delicious. I'm sitting here starving right now, and I checked this thread and now regret it. I'll have to check that place out. That steak looks killer.

x2 Still my primary flipping rod. Absolutely love that thing.

Looks like I'll be riding with Doug. Completely up to you guys with boats that don't have a backseater if you all want to ride with each other or ride alone.

Yeah I noticed that. I may email them to see how they come packaged. It looks like they're individually priced.

That was the first thing that I thought of yesterday when I checked out their website.

Welcome, Don! I've always enjoyed your articles in recent years. I'm looking forward to reading many more that you post here on Bass Resource.

Was just reading about it myself. Thank god. I couldn't believe some of the stuff they were thinking about shutting down. Time will tell though. This is a "temporary" extension.

If the closings go through, you've got until Monday 6 p.m. before everything gets locked up. Supposedly everything gets decided tonight at midnight.

Great fish! The Corduroy jacket on the other hand.....

I got a text a little while ago from Dan from JD's baits who brought up an interesting point. Lox could well be closed next week with some of the government shutdowns. They're closing national parks and whatnot. If that is true and does happen, anybody have an alternative place? Holiday Park, Ida, Osborne, etc etc? I'll do a search to see if I can find a phone number of who to call to get some information.

They're not bad, Bruce. They've got no salt in them so they're very durable. They don't really sink much. Once it hits the water and you start cranking, it's up on top kicking. It's also a little bigger than the normal frog like a horny toad or a cane toad.

Next Friday. The 15th.

Looks like the guys over at JD's Custom baits will be pouring some stuff to hand out to everybody Friday morning as well. Anybody interested in doing a big fish pot again this year? Updated: Boaters: Bassn Blvd (Doug) South FLA (Robert) Salmicropterus (Dave) Bocabasser (Bruce) Capt. Shane (Shane) GLADES (Kevin) Non-Boaters: SouthFlaBassAddict (Eric) Catching (Dan) - Riding with Capt. Shane Not Commited: shallow thinker (Jack) - Don't know if he's riding with somebody or bringing a boat

Oh that sucks, Mike. I hope it's nothing serious.

Glad you made it through safely. I've never been in an earthquake, and God willing I never will be. No Joke about Japan not being able to catch a break. 7.4 is one hell of an aftershock. I'm sure glad I'm not living over there. Thats gotta be like a living hell for those poor people.

I don't go overboard on my crank colors. If I'm trying to match a specific baitfish, usually bluegill or redear sunfish, I've got a few cranks that match those perfetly. Otherwise its: Something natural Something bright/vividly colored Something white/shiny An old classic favorite down here is also something gold.

I can't comment specifically on SW Florida, but Florida bass are notorious for shutting down when the temp starts to drop. You can definitely catch them in cold weather using a myriad of lures, but thats usually a couple of days after the weather stabilizes and holds in a certain temperature range.

As much as I love the fishing industry, I hate it at times as well. One of the Dobyns dealers I speak with regularly said that he spoke with Gary Dobyns and said that the blanks are the same. I'll probably just call Dobyns directly to see what the man says. Getting second and sometimes third hand information is just horrible. I would expect the blank to be a bit better just from the price increase. I can tell you comparing the same rods from each series that they feel very similar. There is a difference between the two, but to me, it is very minimal. The Champion Extreme on the other hand is a different beast entirely. Oh how I wish I could afford to buy several of those.

I honestly didn't notice enough of a difference to warrant me spending the extra 80 bucks on them. As I understand it, they're based on the same blank. The Champion series has better components (cork, guides, hook hanger) than the Savvy though. If those are worth spending the extra 80 bucks to you, then go for it. The Champion line is the backbone of Dobyns rods. Supposedly though, the Savvy series is getting expanded a bunch later this year or early 2012. Both of them are great rods. It's all a matter of how much you're willing to spend. Not that I really care about looks all that much, the Savvy rods are a bit more attractive IMO.

I've got both, and use both regularly. The 734 would be my first choice of a senko rod. Either one of them will work just fine though. The 733 is definitely not a rod I'd use in heavier cover. For open water use, you'd have no problems.

Got a couple of other PM's tonight. Seems like most people want to head out on Friday. April 15th, hope you have your taxes done. I know I'm ready to go vent my frustration for the IRS on a few fish. Lox Road ramp work for everybody? I'm going to make the assumption that everybody wants to get out at first light to avoid some of the heat in the afternoon. Tenative List: Boaters: Bassn Blvd (Doug) South FLA (Robert) Salmicropterus Bocabasser (Bruce) Piscicidal (Mike) Capt. Shane (Shane) GLADES (Kevin) Non-Boaters: SouthFlaBassAddict (Eric) Catching (Dan) - Riding with Capt. Shane Not Commited: SoFL-native (Dale) - I'm unsure if he's going to ride with somebody or pass on the trip shallow thinker (Jack) - Don't know if he's riding with somebody or bringing a boat Shoot me a PM if I've completely screwed up your plans or if you're already riding with somebody else.

That mean you're going to get out of that sissy seat on the front deck for a while?