Marty

Jitterbugs are still sold under the Arbogast name. Arbogast is one of a zillion or so companies that was bought by Pradco. http://www.lurenet.com/catalog.aspx?catID=ArbogastLures

I used to use spoons around lily pads, but haven't gotten one wet in years. For me, it was because so many other weedless lures became available, such as soft plastics. As to why they were retired, it's a safe assumption that sales were lagging and not providing an adequate return on investment. Perhaps a lot of anglers stopped using them for reasons similar to mine.

I don't know if you mean the hollow-bodied frogs or the buzzing type, but it doesn't matter. I've frequently fished water ranging from about 5-40,000 acres and the same lures work in small water that work in large water and vice versa. Choose lures based on the many conditions you're faced with, not how many acres the water covers.

I have a few and I think they're good lures. They attract fish and are easy to get the zig-zag action you want from a walking lure. However, I don't use them often for no other reason than I don't use walking lures that often because I'm so into Jitterbugs. But when I do use the walkers, it's these or the Super Spook Jr. Go for it, you can't go wrong if you like to walk the dog.

Have you contacted the manufacturer? http://www.unclejosh.com/kalinlures/modules/cart/products.php/nav_id/77/page/1/id/130/name/3LunkerGrub I have some suggestions, but since you didn't ask for any, I'll shut up.

I haven't used that brand, but if it's like numerous other brands I've used, it will be fine, and it will continue to be fine if you don't use it now.

You didn't mention what kind of line you've been using, or what pound test or what size reel. You should not have had to do that if you were using a spinning-friendly line, i.e., low memory. Also, things work best when you use a relatively large diameter spool compared to line size. I currently use Power Pro on a few reels and it works very well. I used Fireline too, but that didn't cast as well as PP, but otherwise it was fine. By the way, if you weren't already aware, the superlines have little or no memory.

Same here, except substitute Power Pro for Sufix. PP does what I want my braid to do. If it ain't broke...

I've caught a few in March in a trout stream and when the Erie Canal gets refilled each spring, they're among the first to bite. I'd start now if you have some running water.

Been posting almost eight years. The only one I know for sure that was here before me who's still here is Fish Chris. Registration wasn't required until a few years ago.

I'd contact your local DNR office. They probably won't do much, but they'll also probably be happy to answer any questions you have.

A casting plug (I assume you mean practice plug) is extremely aerodynamically efficient and heavy for its size. Could you cast into the wind with a lure that offers some resistance and still have no problems? If the answer is yes, then you probably don't need the magnetic brake.

If long casts interest you, then as far as the reel goes, get one with a relatively large spool diameter compared to the line you'll be using. All other things being equal, a larger diameter spool will cast farther with a given line than a smaller spool.

I'll leave out Fireline, since that's a fused line, not a braid. I've used Power Pro and TUF Line XP and the latter did not cast well on my spinning equipment. So even though I've used just two braids, I can safely say they're not all the same.

I bought this book last year. I have to admit that there were some parts that got more into the science than I have the patience for, but I don't regret for one second buying this book. I agree with Paul that the section on scent was very illuminating. For one who is really serious about his bass fishing, the information in this book is something he'd want to know. Although Dr. Jones works for Pure Fishing, his ethics as a scientist shone through and I think he's pretty objective.

I haven't seen any yet, but the new Mann's Waker is 3 1/4" long.

May I ask why?

Thank you very much. They do pretty well at drawing strikes too. Fusing them is a minor pain in the butt, but I can make a batch in just a few minutes and it's well worth it to me.

UCLA's longest winning streak was 88 games, which Notre Dame ended in 1974.

I use them on occasion in their original form. But I use them very heavily in modified form. I fuse the tail half to the body half of a Super Fluke or Assassin and fish them on top like buzzbaits.

I know the Helin's and Lazy Ike are still around, maybe others too, I don't know. Many lures fade away for various reasons, but I doubt that these flatfish would be any less effective today than they were in days of old.

Only you can answer that. If it were me, and that item met my storage needs better than anything else I'd seen, then it would be worth it to me. I'm having a hard time finding a bag that I really like, because I'm pretty fussy based on my circumstances. But if I found a bag that met my needs as to size, number of pockets and their size, and other considerations, I'd happily buy any brand, Falcon, Flambeau, Plano, store brands, whatever, and I'd pay any reasonable price.

I don't know, but Shad Raps are my favorite crankbaits, both the shallow and deep diving. Whatever the reason, it works!!

I tend to use light weights, like 1/16 or 1/8 or weightless, but that's just me. If I were you, I'd experiment, basing the weight on the depth and desired rate of fall. There's no right or wrong. Whatever works and you feel confident with is fine.

Years, if not exposed to sun and heat for long periods.