Chris W

I got tired of tearing up sweet beavers without even catching a fish we tried the owener twistlocks first but I really like a straight shank hook better so this is what came out. It works really good, the only problem is it takes a little time to thread a bait on it but once it is on it is on, I can usually catch 4 or 5 fish on a bait before having to change.

I use the bigger size hitch hiker and thread them on the hook from the bottom then take a pair of pliers and attach to the top. The first few you do are tough but after a few of them it is very easy

With the right rod and the right reel you can. I use a BCR802 and a Daiwa Sol with 8lb line and cast 1/8 oz baits all the time. I do not have any that are 1/16oz that I have ever tried. But this is possible with the right combination.

Will try to post a picture tonight.

I fish Dale Hollow alot and a Pink Spinnerbait is great when the moon is full during the summer.

It is just shrink tubing, you could make some easily, but I have found that you can thread a Hitch Hiker on to the shaft of the hook and this will hold a bait much better.

The Zillions are built like a tank, great reels there is no reason why you couldn't use the Pa for a jig would be great for getting them out of heavy cover. By the way Cabela's has them on sale in the Bargain Cave for 209 if you do not have one already.

Professional Mariner also makes a good one that is a 3 step charger. (full, trickle, then float.) Make sure that you get one that is 3 stage charger not a liner charger a liner charger has false peaks and will not charge your batteries all the way all the time.

On a covered porch on oil based floor paint will hold up as long as you do not have pressure treated lumber. A covered porch has shade from the sun and rain. The problem with pressure treated is that is cracks and splits there is no way around that unless you own a kiln and can completely dry the wood before you put it down. When it cracks and splits the integrity of the paint film is broken as soon as that happens peeling starts, that is why you want a penetrating stain for a deck or in this case a dock. Hope this helps. Chris

I own a Paint store and have been in this business for 22 years, you do not want to paint your deck. Paint lays on top of wood does not penetrate just walking on it will wear it off, throw in the sun and water and you will be lucky for it to last 1 to 2 years. The best thing you can put on a Deck is a penetrating stain I know that it will not last very long but it seals and preserves the wood. Cabot makes a good one or if you do not mind spending the money the Sikkens Dek is my favorite just to warn you though it is about 75 a gallon. Now you can paint anything that you are not going to walk on but I recommend a product made by Zinnser called Okon to add to the paint to help it's water resitance.

When we went last year anything Berkley gulp was good also caught them dragging tubes 4" anything in a natural color was good.

I have a couple of sets of the Abec 7's and in my opinion they were worth the difference. The reels cast much better and I have fewer backlashes, also I am able to pitch with much less effort. Try a set you will not be disappointed. Big Green fish also sells some very high quality bearings I have a couple of sets of those by recommendation of Bronzefly and like them also, but have not had them long enough to say they are better but they seem to be as good.

I like them but they do make a sound when using braid does not bother me. I like them because bent guides are a thing of the past, Plus they are much lighter than alot of the guides out there unless you go with a titanium framed guide.

The bass pro shops XPS is very good fluorocarbon. It casts well has good abrasion resistance and will not break the bank. If you watch it they put it on sale for 25% off regularly. I know I am going to get blasted but the Vicious Fluorocarbon is not bad for the price but it is not good on a spinning reel it is too stiff.

A MH model would do fine for jigs in the 3/8 to 1/2oz range you really do not need a Heavy unless you are fishing heavy vegetation or heavy cover or you want to throw jigs heavier than that.

You can change the knobs on the Core handle to the larger knobs on the curado, unfortunately you have to buy the whole handle setup to get them but it is possible.

I don't know the purpose but it catches fish like crazy, it and black are the two best colors I have.

Very nice.

The old berkley Jay Yelas Flipping jig in Black/Blue with a Chigger Craw or a Smallie Beaver as a trailer. I am not real fond of the new berkley jigs I guess it is a good thing I bought all of them I could find when I found out they were going to be disc.

They will go in shallow water for sure we have a 217 Ranger (one of the aluminum ones) and have had it in 6" of water many times, my bass boat will not get that shallow, the only drawback is when there is alot of wind they tend to blow around a little more than a lower profile boat. But other than that I love it.

X2

Storm wiggle wart

Still waiting for the baitshop here to get some to try, have you tried on a sweet beaver yet? I was wondering if it would fit or if I would have to get the smaller one.