tholmes

It also could be as simple as disassembling the levelwind and cleaning any gunk out of the worm gear. Tom

if the line guide is stopping or hesitating on one side or the other, you may have a worn line guide pawl and/or worm gear. Also, check to be sure that the line guide pawl cap has not loosened up enough to let the pawl drop out of contact with the worm gear. Tom

I know what they are! Those things have been catching bass for years, but seemed to fall out of favor for some reason. Lunker City makes several soft plastics that fly under the radar for a lot of bass fishermen, but are great products. My vote for the most underutilized bass lure is the Johnson Silver Minnow spoon. Tom

Especially the Rebel Wee Craw! I've caught a LOT of smallmouth on both the shallow and deep versions. They're also a killer bait for bull bluegill. Tom

I'd have to go with a 7.5" ribbon-tail worm, with a 6" straight-tail worm a close second. Tom

^This, exactly. Won't fit in the bed of my pickup, won't fit in my rod rack. I guess I'm stuck with 7' and under rods. Tom

Catt's post above should be required reading for anyone considering a rod purchase. Modulus numbers have zero relevance to rod quality. Just like bearing count has zero relevance to reel quality. It's all marketing hype. 99% of anglers have no idea what those numbers even mean (myself included). The only way to judge the quality of a rod is to get it in your hands and go fishing. Tom

I fish 1/4 oz. lipless cranks quite a bit. The 1/8 oz. are great for small pond bass, crappie and bluegill. I've even caught quite a few trout on them. Tom

I agree that the President 35 will be just fine. I would get an extra spool to make swapping lines much easier and you're good to go. Tom

Nice find! Those will make great "man-cave" decor! I can't resist picking up old reels when I find them at antique shops, flea markets, yard sales, etc. I'll clean them up and repair them, if needed, and parts are available. My wife always asks me why I need another old reel. I tell her it's better than spending my money on liquor and wild women. Tom

^ Yep! I still catch more bass on a T-rigged worm than anything else, and it ain't even close. Following the plastic worm, at least for me, would be in-line spinners, jigs and spoons. Tom

7' MH/fast casting rod 6.3:1 reel T-rig, spinnerbait, and lipless crank. Tom

Shad, bluegill, craw and chartreuse. One of these colors will catch bass in any water that I've ever fished. It's up to you to figure out which one will work in a given situation. Some days, it doesn't seem to matter. Tom

Abu Vendetta 7'M/fast (fishes somewhere between M and MH). Abu Record 40, 10lb. Trilene Big Game. For the 3/4 oz. 7'6" MH/Mod. Fenwick (I can't remember the model, it's old, and so am I), Abu Ambassadeur 5600C4 Mag., 12 lb. Big Game. Tom

Results are what's important, not names. They either catch fish or they don't. I'm bettin' on the former. Tom

My go-to t-rig is a 7" ribbon-tail worm, Culprit, Power Bait, Yum, etc. Brand doesn't seem to make much difference. Tom

Coming soon - technique specific rods, reels and lines for fishing the Damiki rig. Get 'em while they're hot! Tom

Big Game. It's 1/4 the price of Suffix Siege, and 1/2 the price of P-Line and every bit as good (or better) than either one, IMHO. Tom

I don't own a baitcasting combo that cost over $200 I don't like braid, and I DETEST flouro line And the biggest blasphemy of all... Largemouth bass are not my favorite fish to catch. There just the most available to me. Tom

Like Crestliner said, those old Ambassadeurs are pretty easy to work on, compared to some of the more modern designs. There are probably some online tutorials on youtube that will point you in the right direction. If you lived close to me, I'd take a look at it for no charge Good luck, I'm sure you can figure it out! Tom

I have a 6'6" ultra-light that's been my favorite trout/panfish rod for 20 years. I don't have any experience with the newer models, but I've heard good things about them. Tom

In order for brain damage to occur, there must first be a brain present. I see no supporting evidence of that in either of those two morons. Tom

Being a frugal (cheapskate) angler, I use Trilene Big Game on my baitcasters and Cabela's house brand on spinning reels. Tom

I use the ones that I tie myself. Buck tail, craft fur, kip tail, squirrel tail, there's a lot of choices out there. Tom

Enjoy every minute that I'm out fishing. Take my grandkids (and great-grandkids) fishing more. Pass along my love of the outdoors and fishing to as many people as possible. Tom