tholmes

I have an old Arbogast Jitterbug that started life as yellow, but I spray-painted it black because I kept reading that black was the color to use at night. I've caught many, many bass on that plug, and it's had the paint job re-done several times. I've been tempted to retire it a few times, but it just keeps on catching bass, so naturally, I keep on using it. Tom

I never fish in the grass without one of these tied on. Tom

Are you sure that's not a RevoSX? If it is, here's the spool. Spool 1125818 - OEM Abu Garcia - eReplacementParts.com Tom

Same here. I've been buying and using ABU round reels for a long time. I have 8 in the rod rack and probably 25 or so in boxes. Never found a reason to change. Tom

Yep. Wounded shad, wounded shiner minnows, etc. Tom

Blade baits are a mainstay in my tackle arsenal. IMHO, the best cold-water bass bait going. Also great for White Bass, walleye, and I've even caught a few HUGE crappie. I have a Do-It mold that pours both 1/4 oz. and 1/2 oz. baits. I generally rig them with double hooks the hooks facing backwards. It cuts down on the hang-ups pretty well. Tom

I've used this stuff for quite a while. It works very well, doesn't cost an arm and a leg and it's readily available. Even at Wal-Mart. Tom

My favorite night-time bass lure. I replace the trebles with double hooks. Tom

The Bait Monkey lives in my wallet. Tom

I have FAR more reels than rods and I just sold a rod today. I've got some catchin' up to do. Tom

I've fished before, during and after a rainstorm. Unless there was lightning in the area. No fish is worth your life. My experience tells me that bass activity picks up before and during a rain shower and drops off after the rain has passed. At times, catfish will go crazy after a rain, feeding on worms, bugs and other critters that get washed into the water. There are no hard and fast rules though, ya just have to get out there and give it a try. But not if there's lightning around. If you hear thunder, get indoors. Right now. Tom

6' even. Irish, Scot and Welsh. Oh yeah, I love corned beef and cabbage. Tom

Cold water is the faucet on the left. Tom

I like Big Game for my baitcasters and BPS Excel for spinning reels. Tom

I hope to learn that I'm gonna make through another fishing season. Tom

Exactly this^. Tom

I fish because I enjoy it. I fish for bass because they are one of the most accessible fish in my area. I don't fish tournaments because I don't feel like I have to prove that I'm a "better" fisherman than anyone else. I'm 72 years old and count myself very fortunate to be able to get out at all. Tom

I never used a 33 as a kid, I went from a 202 to an old Shakespeare 1920 level wind caster. Now that there's grandkids (and great grandkids) in the picture, I've been picking up the old 33s (USA made with a metal foot) at yard sales, overhauling them, and putting them back in service. Never paid more than $3 for any of them. I currently have a plastic tub with maybe a dozen working 33s in it plus 6 rigged up on rods for the kids. They're simple. easy to overhaul and seem to be pretty sturdy. Can't ask more than that from a kids reel. Tom

^What he said. The solvents in Loctite 242 can seriously damage some plastics. The Vibra-Tite tape is a better option. Tom

Looks like a "Flex-Ike" made by Kautzky of Lazy Ike fame. I remember these from around 1960. My Grandpa used to have a couple in his tackle box. Lazy Ike Corporation – My Bait Shop, LLC Tom

I've been fishing Culprit worms since they first hit the market (late '70s?) and still use them plus some other brands of ribbon tails. They are my #1 confidence bait for sure. I use mostly darker purple. red and blue colors with Tequila Shad being my #1 color. I almost always have one rigged up. Tom

The colors/patterns that I can't catch anything on are: Firetiger. Any so called "perch" color, especially Rapala's perch color Baby bass Chartreuse Orange or red I've caught the most on some of the colors that others have said don't produce for them. Blue and black jigs have probably caught more bass for me than any other jig color. Green Pumpkin is a close second. Tom

I use Mobil 1 5w30 for oil and some blue Marine grease. The only "hi-tech" lube that I use is Tri-Flow oil on the worm gear. I've never had a lube related problem with any reel. Keeping your reels clean will do more to make them last than any oil or grease will. Tom

My first baitcaster. My Grandpa gave it to me in about 1960 when I was 8 yrs. old. There have been several dozen more since😁 Tom

I'm ready for cooler weather, for sure. Yesterday, we had an afternoon high of 103 with the heat index at 112. Brutal heat. Due to some health issues, I can't stay out in that kind of heat for very long, so I spent the afternoon overhauling a few old reels that I've picked up at yard sales - and playing my guitar. Tom