tholmes

I have a Black Max that I bought as an emergency stand-in about four years ago. I used it pretty hard for a couple of seasons, even dropped it in the lake once. After a deep cleaning and re-lube it's still working perfectly. While I wouldn't compare it to any top-of-the-line reels, for less than $50, it's a heck of a reel. Tom

If the weather's decent, I'll be fishing so, a bottle of water and an energy bar. Tom

I was being facetious. IMHO, there is no one reel that can be labeled "the longest casting baitcaster". There are WAY too many other things that affect casting distance other than the reel. Any high-quality baitcaster can be set up, modified, super-tuned, etc. to cast as far as anyone wuld need to while bass fishing. Distance is for show, accuracy catches fish. Tom

Apparently the longest casting reel is a Daiwa Millionaire 7HT Mag. That's the reel the current record was set with. Get 'em while they're hot! Tom

Lazy Ike, yellow with red spots. My grandpa gave it to me and I caught my first bass on it. Tom

That could be the case. Almost all of the water that I fish regularly is stained to some degree. I catch plenty of bass on other topwaters like Jitterbugs, Pop-Rs, and the much-maligned buzzbait, but not a thing with the mighty Spook. Tom

That's mine too. I've fished them until my arms ache and never hooked a fish on one. Senko style worms are a close second. I've never caught a bass over 2 lbs. on one. I've T-rigged 'em, fished 'em wacky rigged, etc., nothing but dinks. Tom

Any hobby is as expensive as the participant wants it to be. As long as you're not taking food off of your family's table, spend as much as you want. Better than spending it on hookers and coke. Tom

Two handed the vast majority of the time, the exception is light spinning gear. Tom

That was always the way that I've understood it to. Tom

Jitterbug. Tom

I LOVED those Gillraker worms! My stash finally ran out a few years ago and I've discovered that there are numerous options for ribbon-tail worms. Culprit, Berkeley, Yum, etc., but I still miss thsoe Gillrakers. Tom

I'd rate 2015 as below average in both numbers and size. I had back surgery in the spring which kept me from fishing through most of April and May and slowed me down for most of the summer. I only caught a handful of 5+ lb. fish and only about a half-dozen smallies. This year, my back is fully recovered and I'm positive it will be a better year. Tom

+ on both of the above. I've had pretty good results with the smallest size Rebel Crickhopper too. Tom

Although all of my baitcasters are the same brand, I'm all over the map with rod brands. I have ABU, Berkeley, Fenwick, Quantum, BPS, and several others. Even an Ugly Stik. They all suit me for their intended purpose and that's all that matters. Tom

Tom

Catfish bait. That's what I use it for. I've also used it for trolling Storm Big Macs for freshwater stripers. It's strong, tough stuff, but not the most castable line out there. Tom

I probably have a half dozen different brands of lipless cranks in my tackle box. I've caught fish with all of them at one time or another. Just keep trying them until you find what works on that day and in that location. Tom

I have a 1972 Abu 5000C that still sees regular use. It's had the left sideplate replaced with one from a 6000C so it has a bait clicker. It's on an old Berkeley Roughneck rod and gets used mostly for flathead fishing. Tom

I'm the proud Great-grandpa of Carson Aaron Armstrong, born Wed. afternoon. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. on a certified scale, 18" long. My wife and I are temporarily in charge of his 2 yr. old big brother until Mom gets out of the hospital. Good times! Tom

We need pics! Tom

Wiggle Wart. Even the new ones catch fish Tom

Spools for one of these Tom

Big Game for almost all baitcasting applications, Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Cabela's house brand mono for spinning. Tom

My tackle is the same way. The thing is, I know exactly where everything is. Tom