Fat-G

Caught a lot of really nice fish this year. If I'm correct, it is something like 37 fish in the 4-7 lb. range. I learned A LOT this year, much moreso than years past. Had a couple of firsts this year as well: first Rainbow, first dropshot fish, first shakeyhead fish, first time using flouro, first "high end" rod (which I almost regret ), and first squarebill fish. I learned a lot about new techniques, especially sqaurebills. They really are a lot of fun to fish, and in the right conditions can catch some decent fish: Learned to fish structure a lot better as well, and caught a couple nice chunks doing so: Oh yeah, I got pretty good with a swimjig: Without saying too much, 2012 should be a very special year for me.

You're gettin' up there as well Goose. Your reports are always fun to read and your knowledge is well respected!

With the proviso that I fish mostly heavy cover and rarely fish open water... DX745 / Premierosaurus / 60# FX2

The pond may very well be overpopulated. Not enough bluegill + too many small bass = stunted growth of all species. As for catching bigger fish, try throwing bigger lures around ambush points.

I didn't paint it but... It doesn't catch you any more fish, but it's a cool thing to do if you're a tackle junkie. I would upgrade internals first and foremost, then paint. But definitely get it professionally done

I recently switched my jig rod from 50# braid to P-Line FloroClear, specifically 20#. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed so far. I agree with Hooligan in that a very high quality flouro is an outstanding line for fishing jigs, and in some cases, a better option than braid. I have used 20# Super Hard Upgrade as well as 20# Super FC Sniper before switching back to braid. Someone recommended the FloroClear to me, so I bought a spool to see what they were talking about. Pretty low stretch. I'm getting solid hooksets on long casts fishing footballs in a new to me pond. Not as sensitive as a real flouro, but the sensitivity is still there. As long as you split/thin the weedguard, reel all the way down to the fish, and swing hard, you'll be fine. It's an odd transition from instant hooksets with braid to longer, more defined ones with a non-braid, but I actually like it.

"I know I need to slow down, and use much smaller lures" Not necessarily true. I caught a fish yesterday burning back my jig on the top to make another cast. Water temp lower-mid 40's, air temp in the upper 30's to low 40's. Today I was hopping a football jig tipped with a Rage Chunk (hung, not threaded) down rocky banks with timber nearby, and caught 4 little keepers. This was at a pond I seldom fish and overlook. Literally walking distance from my house, I just always thought of them as "not my kind of ponds". While finesse baits do have their place in the winter, often times a jig with a big, action-packed trailer will get 'em too.

I prefer to not use a leader when possible, as it is just another weak link that may fail, but when I do use a leader, it is always the Albright Special. Great knot!

Tec Spec's are great rods, really. They might not be the lightest rods in that price range, but in my experience with them they are as sensitive as most $100 rods.

Nice one Goose! Like the arm angle is well, I didn't realize how fat the fish was until I scrolled down!

After using a very balanced rod, I could never go back to a tip-heavy rod, such as a St. Croix. I have no doubt that Croix makes one of the best blanks in the business, but their finished rods all feel extremely tip-heavy to me. Seriously, when I get a custom it will be on a Legend Extreme blank.

You catch the fish I've been after for two years on every trip! Very well done!

Starting to venture back into the videos... Angles, lighting, and positioning are bad, but I'm a bit rusty, LOL. Trying a "different" style of close quarters flipping, and it worked! Nice little winter chunk. More videos coming soon! Still need to work on landing fish with this technique - it's a tight fit for sure. Always wanted to flip a jig up in these trees, and now I can!

I'm getting a "unable to save file" message. Glenn, you seriously nailed it this time. It looks great! Very user friendly and it's incredible on my iPhone!

Hope this works: http://pages.infinit.net/fishing/rweights.pdf

Very interesting. Most of my jig fishing is done in wood cover, and I have always used braid. I love the "connected" feel I get when there is no wind, but recently I have been fishing jigs on structure ponds rather than cover ponds. When the wind kicks up I HATE using braid. I can't feel my jig crawling along the rocks, and I sure as heck can't feel a light bite. I like the instant hooksets with braid, and have never fished 1/2 oz+ jigs on flourocarbon heavier than 14#. Hopefully soon I'll be throwing jigs on 20# Shooter. The only concern I have with flouro is the stretch, and not getting a strong, hard hookset.

My PB five fish limit is 29 pounds, caught in February 2 years ago. I don't weigh until I'm positive they're over 5 or 6.

Not sure yet, maybe.

Va is a great state, I'm hopefully going to VMI next year and after I graduate, probably won't ever leave. I would consider Texas, though.

Yep, same for me. I like braid for fishing really heavy cover (65#), but will fish 20# flouro on a jig rod as well - as long as it has VERY little stretch.

Curado 50 with 4# Hybrid, throwing a KVD 1.5. Might have to try and get back out with my ultralight and 2# line. Question - do all Rainbows basically fight until they die? Two of the tree we caught were floating for a minute before they swam off. Also, what is the correct way to hold them?

X2, you're very well respected around here and with good reason. NY I agree with everything you agreed with me about, haha.

Yes, please let us know what's up with him! He always has great insight and has taught me a lot. Hope he's alright.

My buddy and I went to a pond in the city that was stocked with Rainbows 8 years ago. They apparently didn't do very well and are rarely caught. This pond also has some decent bass fishing, so we went with the intent of throwing cranks and spinnerbaits! We both caught our first Rainbow. I guess they are making a comeback and aren't pressured that much anymore. I caught two and Hunter caught one. All three were pretty big, too!

This is a really good topic! It really depends for me. I guess I'm just "weird" in that sometimes I like to go fishing by myself, with absolutely no one to bother me, no cell phone calls, etc. Most of the time I have someone with me, and two of the guys in particular I really enjoy fishing with, and that is my brother and my friend Geoff. My little bro and I laugh the whole time as we have a great relationship and crack each other up, and Geoff is just one of those dudes that is extremely layed back. When Geoff and I fish, it's more about the comradere than the actual fishing. My other friend Hunter and I go to his fishing club a lot. In all honesty, I've probably only actually "fished" that pond once or twice. Usually we screw around, shoot, and putz around the lake BS'ing the day away. I really enjoy the style above. On the other hand, I take it seriously most of the time, usually more so if I'm by myself. Depending on the mood I'm in, talking can really get me brewed, especially if it's non-stop chatter about meaningless crap. I really hate when a dude I'm fishing with starts comparing gear with me or explaining why his is better. That really irritates me, to the point of wanting to leave or not fish with that person. One of pet-peeves in life as well as fishing is when people talk down to me like I'm an idiot. If I'm fishing and you're being a d-bag, how would you expect me to want to fish with you again? I think the condescending begins when the dudes calls me "bud". That word really bothers me, and I don't know why! Sorry for the rant, LOL, there's just some people that I won't fish with anymore. As for the always wanting to beat you, it doesn't bother me, just don't talk the whole trip, haha.