SoFlaBassAddict

He hasn't posted here in a while, so I'm not sure how often he checks his PM's. I know he posts on several other websites forums, including the Tackletour forums. He uses the same name on all of the websites that he posts on. You may have to do a little searching around to find where he's hanging out, but he'll definitely be the guy the give you the best answer.

One that doesn't come with payments.

For some reason, I think you either did something wrong, or you were sent the wrong bearing. They're built on the same frame. The bearing is supposed to be a quick and easy swap. Send a PM to Bantam1 and he'll set you straight. He's the local Shimano Guru. If he says it works, I've gotta believe him.

The same rods and reels I use for everything else. Finesse fishing is a mindset, nothing else.

Dumbest thing I've done while fishing? Answered my cell phone.

You want punching mats 101? http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/fishingtips/livedayonthelake Watch the Terry Scroggins videos on that link. Part one starts third from the bottom of the list.

Well, there is that also. ;D

So you would rather have a swivel go through your guides? :-? I don't use swivels that small. In 60 years of fishing my swivel seldom has touched the eye. I use 15-18" of leader except for some pelagic species I use about 5'. With many larger fish it's best to grab a long leader rather than the line, especially if you are not gaffing the fish, like a sail. We aren't casting for them but trolling. Many people use a bimini twist knot but I still like a BB swivel to avoid line twist when trolling. Agreed with the longer leader and a wire man for larger fish offshore. When I'm bottom bouncing big grouper jigs, I'll use a wind on leader though. I'll frequently have very long leaders in that situation. When bass fishing, I always go with an Albright or an Alberto though. No issues casting the knot through the guides or anything. To each his own though. I will use a swivel at times with certain lures.

Oh sure, tell me that story right as you say that we gotta get out there. Thats reassuring as all hell. ;D I'll shoot you a PM after watching the show on Versus and see what we can plan. How the heck did you get out of there? Theres no way that was even remotely fun.

Way to get em, Shane! You're really starting to find where the big'uns live out there at Lox. Great fish! It was blowing hard as hell today. I went out for a little while on my lake here and got slung around all over. How'd that Gheenoe handle the wind out there?

The Dania Beach Marine Flea Market is right around the corner, Kevin. I believe it's the 17th-20th of this month. You may be able to find a Doel-fin that fits there. Or a different prop if you're looking for one. I went last year and was blown away at the amount of stuff there.

Anybody else having problems watching the videos on Bass Resource? Was trying to watch a couple of them earlier and nothing ever came up. Was just sitting there like it was loading and nothing. Glenn?

Thats pretty interesting, Steve. Just the idea of it helping to stop the weight from pushing down the plastic is pretty cool. Never thought about that before. I'll have to give that a try. It's the little things like this that can make all of the difference.

Unreal, Steve. Just unreal. Way to go!

Yessir.

The 735 is on my list right now. I believe Mike picked one up also. The only reason I didn't buy one when that sale at BTD was happening is because I have a rod that is very similar in stats. After playing around with the rest of my new rods, the old one definitely is not the same quality. There needs to be another sale soon so I can buy one. I'm still surprised at how well those rods feel.

1. Dobyns SS 704c - 14 lb Fluoro - Worms & Jigs 2. Dobyns SS 733c - 12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid - Spooks, Poppers, Trap, Shallow Cranks 3. Dobyns SS 734c - 17lb Fluoro - Worms, Jigs, Senkos, Pitching plastics to cover 4. Shimano Crucial 7'6" MH XF - 50lb Braid - Flipping, punch, heavy cover frogs 5. Pinnacle 7'6" MH Mod Fast - 40lb Braid - Swimbaits, horny toads That covers me for most of my fishing down here. By myself or when fishing with somebody else. We'll see how long that fluoro lasts on the two rods that have it. Experimenting for a bit. If I pull it off, both of those will also have Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Braid on them. If I'm on my lake here at home I'll also throw in: 6. Shimano Crucial 7'2" M XF (spinning) - 20lb Braid w/leader - Drop Shot, Shaky Heads

I'm using them. Picked up a few packs earlier today. Love the shape. I've been trying to find a small weight with the typical flipping weight shape for a while. So far they seem pretty darn good. No line frays, paint is still there. Not too shabby. Roughly six and a half bucks for a package. The heavier weights are a bit more, still reasonable though.

Good deal, Shane. The last show you two did was fun to watch, would expect this one to be the same. Looking forward to watching it.

Much better fight than a largemouth. From the guys I've talked to that catch smallmouth, they're very similar to each other. The Peacocks are a little tougher, strong runs, and very acrobatic.

It's not that big. Just big enough to enjoy with a TM. It's electric only. Takes about an hour and a half, two hours if you were to just cruise the banks all the way around. The 734 is pretty nice. It's being used right now for moderate cover pitching, senkos, spinnerbaits, and squarebills in heavier stuff. It's definitely got a bit more backbone than the 733. Both of them are great rods and have had very equal use. I really like the 704 though. That rod just feels fantastic in my hands.

Yup, thats my little tin beast. No name for the lake. It's just a strip pit thats dug out to build up housing foundations. Cost me extra to have the house built on lakefront property, but man is it ever worth it. That picture is standing in my back yard.

For those of you that live down in the Dade & Broward area, the Peacocks are definitely out and eating right now. For those of you looking to make a trip down south, now is a great time for it. Theres a mixed bag of stages right now. Some are pre-spawn, active spawn, and post spawn. Was out today for a couple of hours and found a bunch of them on beds, near bedding areas, and actively guarding fry. Caught several smaller fish today in the 1-2 pound range, followed by this guy:http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1299105132 X-raps, traps, jerkbaits, and plastics or jigs pitched into bedding areas right now. Whatever you use, make sure it's moving pretty quick with erratic pops and jerks. Great time of the year to be down here.

Good stuff right there, Shane. Awesome fish. Lox has been putting out some beasts lately. Is that the new color that Dan had up on his Facebook page?

New Dobyns 734, Citica, 17lb XPS Fluoro. Absolutely whalloped a small creature bait pitched next to a hydrilla bed. He was probably guarding a spawning area. Absolutely crashed the lure as it dropped. I'm not a huge fan of fluoro, but I'm giving it a whirl for a while. Catching fish like that sure is a great way to start out....