Marty

The Weed Wing was fairly well known in my earlier days, although I have no recollection of ever using them.

What don't you like about the ones you've seen? I use Gamakatsu 2/0 trailer hooks. I have no idea if they're any better or worse than others, but they work.

I can't answer your question. But my informal weighing of 4" baits says: Senko .29 oz. Yum Dinger .25 oz. In the absence of any other information, I'd assume a similar relationship with other sizes. But again, that's just an assumption.

If you don't mind a lure that goes to 18" rather than 12", I've had some excellent results on the Heddon Swim'n Image.

I also use it like a buzzbait, but with a 4/0 hook. You can fish slower with a hollow-bodied frog, but as far as I know, Ribbits, Horny Toads, etc. are used mainly like buzzbaits, both in open water and weedy areas where regular buzzbaits can't be used effectively. But, you can also get creative if you'd like, lots of fish have been caught as a result of thinking outside the box.

I've been playing with cameras almost all my adult life. At times I've slacked off and other times it has heated up again. Right now I'm spending lots of time at it, as one of the above posters mentioned, shooting critters. Birds, butterflies, dragonflies and other insects. I don't have a digital SLR but use one of the so-called point-and-shoot "superzooms." I've also done some reading on Rockwell's site. Photography can be just as addictive as fishing.

I think the Chatterbait and similar lures are excellent fish attractors. I'm usually fishing shallow, weedy water and fish it very much like a spinnerbait, although I know that it can be fished numerous ways. I always use a trailer hook in addition to a trailer.

When I started 40 years ago it seemed that the two leading colors were yellow and white with red head. I still have a few but don't use them anymore, although there's no reason why they should be any better or worse over the long run than other colors.

I don't use leaders. Whether misplaced or not, I have confidence that the line doesn't deter strikes.

I don't know if it meets the definition of "unorthodox", but there's never a time I don't try topwater (except in cold water). Even in summer, on afternoons with bluebird skies, I've caught plenty of bass, including large ones (large by my standards).

If you're willing to buy a book, Knowing Bass, by Dr. Keith A. Jones, gets into the biology of bass senses and how they respond to various stimuli.

I've used the 1/2" duolock snaps for years. Not everyone agrees, but I don't think there's enough change in action (if any at all) to affect your success.

I use Z-Nails. They're one of a zillion stickbaits for those who want something other than Senkos. I fish them mostly with a lift-and-drop retrieve. They're very good, but I can't say they're any better or worse than other brands I've tried.

I used to fish for them some years ago from shore where fast water from a power plant emptied into Lake Ontario. That area was a fish magnet in general, but sometimes mixed schools of white bass and white perch came in close. When that happened, the action was fast and furious. There aren't many fish that were more fun on light tackle with 4# line. I used a small split tail grub on a 1/16 oz. jighead, but I think just about any lure would have done the same. I never kept any. One time I encountered a large school and after just a couple of fish a severe thunderstorm started up and I had to head for the car. What a disappointment that was and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

I've caught 100s of walleyes from the Erie Canal, which is not typical walleye habitat. I fished a variety of crankbaits and grubs on jigheads and they took them all. They took the so-called bass crankbaits just as readily as the so-called walleye crankbaits.

Then you might like this. GQ magazine a few years ago did a piece on the most hated athletes by their peers and Phil was the "winner" for golf. But he's popular with the fans. http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/200601/most-hates-athletes

I'm a big fan of Lefty and was glad to see him win. I had my doubts about him winning more majors after his meltdown at the U.S. Open a couple of years ago.

In addition to the brands mentioned, Bomber also represents a good value. I wouldn't worry too much about what to get, just make sure the bait covers the depths you want it to. If you're concerned about color, something muted, say shad or bluegill and something loud, like firetiger, should do you fine.

Just because they say it doesn't mean it's true. As I mentioned earlier, New York just started out-of-season catch-and-release three years ago. Here in the U.S. we were one of only about a half-dozen states to be that restrictive. While we couldn't target bass, the anglers in every bordering state could fish for them. What did they know that New York didn't or vice versa? At any rate, about 90% of our states have always allowed year-round bass fishing and their fisheries are still producing, regardless of what some say about what happens during the spawn. Maybe fisheries are more sensitive in the north? I have no idea. In the meantime, in the three years since NY relaxed the regulations, I've heard nothing about any effect it has had or not had. I truly feel bad for our friends in Canada and some of the northern states who love their bass and can't do what they love so much.

My longtime fishing partner, who doesn't fish that much anymore, saw those rods in Dick's and was very impressed with them and was thinking about getting one.

Yes you have if you've been fishing more than three years. Targeting bass (and other fish) out of season was expressly prohibited until they relaxed the rules to allow catch-and-release on bass only effective December 1, 2006. That change was the best thing that ever happened to me in 40 years of fishing. That was the law, even if thousands violated it. I cheated too at times, throwing lures that pike and pickerel would take in waters that contained them. I just stayed away from bass-only ponds, as much as that hurt. As to our Minnesota friend, the chances of getting nailed are very slight, but let your conscience be your guide.

I have two of the ones that John linked to on the kayak site. They were about $13-15 from Cabela's and I'm very pleased with them. I do use them more for weighing fish than landing them. There's one minor complaint, which is that they're not spring-loaded so you have to keep it open while gripping it by using your 4th finger to keep one handle away from the other.

I have no recipes, as I use corn exclusively. I've seen plenty caught by guys who use Wheaties or Bran Flakes. They take a handful, immerse, then squeeze out the extra water until it's the consistency they want. I use an egg sinker or slip sinker 12-18" up the line, with a BB shot below it, and fish with the bail open. The fish can pick up the bait and move off without feeling resistance. Watch the line very carefully for movement.

I started 40 years ago and am very far from a pro. As to how often, my answer is not often enough. There are some waters I fish that at certain times 5+ is expected and other times and places I feel lucky to avoid my little friend:

The 65 teams in the NCAA are not the 65 best in the nation because of automatic bids. You could make an argument that the 34 at-large bids are the best 34 teams remaining.