tholmes

I've had the same experience and I have a theory as to why this is. Smaller fish don't hsve the body mass to create enough resistance for a solid hookset. When you set the hook on a small fish, you start to move him through the water before the hook penetrates enough to solidly button up the fish, so he comes off the hook, especially if the fish jumps. Just a crazy flatlander's opinion. Tom

Yep!^ I've used live bluegill under a slip bobber to catch stripers, too. Tom

It's pretty simple...I use jigs when plastics aren't getting bit, and plastics when jigs aren't getting bit. Tom

Welcome to the "Golden Years" Tom

Culprit Fat Max 9" in black, black or black. Especially at night. Tom

^ this. Plus a #4 Black Fury. Tom

I use Trilene BigGame on most of my casting reels. I change the first 100 yards or so at least once per season. I see no point in changing the whole spool. Tom

I'm pretty well satisfied wth the gear I have now. I've got all the bases covered and more, fancier wouldn't catch me any more fish. I guess I'd opt for a new truck. Tom

First confidence bait was the lure I caught my first good bass with. Lazy Ike. Next was the old Snagless Sally. I caught a LOT of bass on these. I was convinced that I could catch a bass anywhere, anytime with these. These days, it's a 7.5" ribbon-tail worm in tequila sunrise or red shad and a black/blue jig with a chunk trailer. Tom

Proper technique also plays an important role. IMO, casting distance is not as important as accuracy. Distance is for show, accuracy catches fish. Tom

First thing....tighten the drag. Tom

The LR Shock is a great choice in your price range. I'd also look at the Abu Vengeance rods. I own a couple of them and like them a lot. Tom

I use a pole barn nail through the spool and clamped in my bench vise. It's worked for decades, never wears out and cheap. Tom

I'd get something white, something black and catalpa. That should cover almost any situation. Tom

That color is called catalpa/black stripe. Almost perfectly mimics a catalpa worm, a favorite food of all kinds of gamefish. Tom

Beetle Spin. Tom

Buy it all! You'll sort it out sooner or later. Tom

I've been carrying a Gerber for 15 years. I own other brands of multi-tools, but none can match the quality of Gerber. Tom

I clean them regularly using a Q-tip and Reel Magic. Tom

Just a rough estimate, 75% baitcasting, 25% spinning. Tom

When I'm taking inexperienced anglers fishing, I set them up with a Beetle Spin. They're great for catching numbers, and they'll hook a good one occasionally too. Tom

I have a yellow Lazy Ike that's been doin' the same thing. Tom

This^ Exactly. Tom

I wear the $20 Solar Shield fit-overs from Wal-Mart (Walgreens sells them too) because I'm way too cheap to lay down $400 or more for prescription sunglasses. They have 100% UV block, brow and side shields and impact-resistant lenses. They also look kinda dorky, but I'm way past caring about that. Tom

The advantages of living in a sparsely populated area. I know all of the KDWP officers around here and they all know that if I'm fishin', I have a license. Tom