piscicidal

The very first baitcast reel I bought was a Shakesphere Axiom for ~$40 at Wal Mart. The thing was an absolute piece of garbage...backlash almost every cast. I bought a used Curado a couple days later and threw that Axiom straight in the junk drawer. I don't think anyone who is serious about fishing should get a reel or rod that retails for less than $100...ESPECIALLY a newbie. I have never regretted spending money on quality equipment. In the long run it pays to buy quality. Conversely, the few times I've bought inferior gear, I've got come to regret it. That Axiom was the worst $40 I think I've ever spent.

Matt, I've got a MH Veritas sitting in the garage if you wanna test drive ir for awhile. It's like new.

$100-$350 for the rod, $100-$400 for the reel, $79 for the handle...that's the way to go. Jus sayin'!

Moving bait setups, I favor the reel. Finesse/vertical setups requiring more feel I favor the rod.

<-- yes, this! At least in Florida, you don't want to be fishing in muddy water, if you can help it. Ultra clear water will hold fish but can be tough, especially if you are fishing shallow. The fish will not be aggressive. I would focus on the stained water between the muddy and clear.

Eric, That Dobyns 804 was worth it's weight in gold yesterday. That rod is P-E-R-F-E-C-T. It launches baits a mile, but has enough backbone to get em up and out of trouble. You were right on the money with that. I think Rob is gonna get one also. Gary Dobyns ought to give you a commission!

Everything was on topwater. Spooks/frogs/soft swimbaits.

Let's do it!!

Hey, it ain't Baccarrac, but I'll take it!

Robert and I got out fishing this morning for a couple hours. We had an area that we knew held some good fish, but we never imagined the kind of day we would end up having. Fishing from 9:30- 12:00 we caught ~45 fish, our five best weighing 30.5lb. About half the fish we caught were 3.5lb or better, with our biggest going 8.5lb. We both had to leave at noon...you ever seen a 40year old guy cry like a kid being dragged out of the candy store by his mom? It aint pretty. Get the full story here: https://www.hawgtech.com/blog/10-03-2012

Fostinator, There is very limited access to Okeechobee from the shore. You can fish a few areas of the rim canal, but with the lake at 15.5ft you need to get out there in the grass. I wouldn't drive up there to fish the rim canal.

You're killing me. I was supposed to fish big O yesterday, but our trip got cancelled (got bumped for Shaw Grigsby...go figure...LOL) Robert's buddies caught ~35lb bag yesterday, with one that looks like a possible double digit.

That's awesome. I started take my son fishing on the boat when he was five. Now, I've created a monster...I can't go fishing without him. He caught two 3.5s and a 5.4 last week. http://www.hawgtech.com/blog

You and Mike certainly seem to have more than your share of "timing and luck". You guys have been cashing checks almost every time out since April, with a few wins in there. I'm thinking "skill" has a lot to do with it... Again, very nice win...you two caught more 3+ lb fish than were caught by the rest of the tournament, that day.

Good job Bruce, you guys stroked em. And you were worried about me! If you spot me a 5LBs head start at Loxahatchee, then maybe you can start worrying... Congrats on the win!

Kristo, Good job, man! We've all been through tough spells...that's when you grind it out, study up (i.e. this site!), try something different, etc... When you finally do break through and start catching, it's an awesome feeling. There are some great LMB spots down here...Holiday Park, Alligator Alley, Loxahatchee, Okeechobee, Holey Lands...

Wow....up more than a foot in the last three days.

The tiny torpedo works good for peacock. I have better luck on a small jerkbait. X-raps work good as do the small lucky craft pointers. I caught four peacock bass yesterday on a 78mm pointer. I got the fourth one on video...

Kristo, I got your address. I'll send your package out to you tomorrow. I pre-rigged five baits for you.... 1.) Shakey head jig/finesse worm 2.) Scrounger head/fluke 3.) Yamamoto D-shot (rigged) 4.) Skinny dipper/swimbait hook 5.) Jig/trailer I included an extra package of flukes/worms/D-shot/skinny dippers/jig trailers, for you to rig up future baits similiar to how I did the first one. I also included various bags of soft plastics. There is some good stuff in there. However, I would focus on the five pre-rigged baits I sent you first (in order). I would add a senko, T-rigged weightless on a thin (non-superline) EWG hook, to that top tier of baits, also. Just keep plugging away. It's very rewarding when you finally break through that tough fishing and start catching.

Lou, it's my neighbor across the street's backyard. He's on vacation and I'm keeping an eye on the place for him...

OK...so I uploaded a couple of vids from this morning. Not exactly Spielberg's work, but I got a few fish on video. In these two videos you can actually see the bass hit the jerkbait under water...pretty cool. And check out the Hawg Handle in action...

Yeah...yesterday water level said 12.48... today 13.12! Looks like a good time to have a three day, fishing weekend...

I was crushing em this morning on a pointer. Was getting hit almost every cast at first. I was fishing near a culvert that had water moving through it. Caught 4 peacock, ~15LMB and one snakehead in about 45minutes. After the first dozen fish, I went and got the GoPro. Got a few of them on video...if I get some time, I'll edit/post them up later.

Fostinator, Try twin lakes park in Oakland Park (prospect rd and poerline). There are two big, deep lakes on both sides of a walking path. That entire stretch you can fish. I've caught a couple bass in the 5lb range out of there.

Well, I finally got my boat out yesterday...first time since June Not the best conditions...fishing 12:00-2:00 and bluebird skies. Caught a couple little chunks in the canal, though. I caught all my fish jigging a deep weed line. Nothing was chasing...I had to go "low and slow" to get bit. Kristo, take note of the color on this jig. You can use another color jig down here, but I wouldn't recommend it.