tholmes

If you're starting from scratch, you'd have to make a LOT of jigs in order to save money. If you figure in the cost of equipment and components (lead pot, molds, lead, hooks, paint, skirts, bucktail, feathers, tying vise, etc.) you'll have spent enough to buy a lot of jigs. I probably have >$500 tied up in equipment and materials, but I've been tying jigs for ~ 35 years so I didn't have to buy it all at once. I tie my own jigs mostly because I enjoy doing it. It gives me something fishing related to do over the winter months when the water is frozen or it's just too cold to fish. Also, there's a satisfaction in catching fish on lures that you made yourself. Tom

THis is true in my area also (not all that far from Bluebasser). While I prefer to target bass, sometimes they just won't cooperate. In that case, I'll go after crappie, catfish, wipers and several others. I like to keep my options open. Tom

Great advice right there^ That's just how I approach the gossip and backbiting where I work. Just don't buy into it or feed it. I've had to tell co-workers "I Don't want to hear a bunch of crap that I don't care about and is none of my business anyway." Tom

It came to me in a fit of unbounded creativity. My first initial and my last name. Tom

I love lipless crankbaits! All of them. I probably have a dozen different makers represented in my tackle box. There are subtle differences in action, fall rate, etc., and any of them will catch fish at the right time. I've narrowed my color selection down somewhat, but what works for me is: chrome w/ blue or black back, sexy shad (and other shad-like colors) red craw, chartreuse/black back and pure black. I'd recommend trying a variety of brands and colors until you discover what works best in your favorite fishin' hole. Tom

My plain Jane Dakota. She's old enough to vote, but she gets me to the fishin' hole every time Tom

OE - I agree that there are better choices for lighter baits, but the 5600C4s will work in a pinch. Tom

I have a few of the older C4s with the two block braking system and have found that if you replace the factory white brake blocks with the blue blocks (part # 20209) they will handle lighter baits much better. I cast 1/4 oz. with these reels pretty easily. Tom

We all have our personal preferences when it comes to brand, size and color. Bluebasser pretty much nailed it on location and technique. Me? I like 'em all. SK RES, XCaliber, Rat-L-Trap, Cordell Spot, Rapala, etc. My most productive colors are chrome/blue, chrome/black, sexy shad and red craw. I fish 'em with a 7' Med./ fast rod and a 6.3:1 reel with 8# or 10# Trilene Big Game. Tom

Trilene Big Game mono, 8# or 10#. Tom

Cabela's opened a similar sized store (80k sq,ft.) in Wichita about 3 years ago. While it's nowhere near the size of the one in KC, it has a pretty good selection, certainly better than Academy, Dick's or Gander Mtn. I have had no trouble at all finding ways to spend my money there. Tom

I like Stripers and hybrids for the fight, crappie and bluegill for a fish fry, but for sheer excitement, I'll target big flatheads. Tom

Abu Garcia ProMax 3600 - $5 at a yard sale + $3 for a new line guide pawl =$8 7' med. Berkeley Lightning Rod at the same yard sale - $2 + $2 for a new tip guide = $4 Combo price = $12 Tom

Whoa! That thing is a beast! Thanks for posting that. Tom

10 lb. Trilene Big Game. Tom

Shakespeare Wondereel Model 1920 manufactured in 1951. The oldest one still in use is an ABU 5000C from 1972. Tom

I know that it's sacrilege around here, but I'll say it anyway...spooks and other similar baits. I get the presentation, I can walk them pretty well, but I catch nothing. Also, anything that's firetiger colored. The bass around here seem to have an aversion to that color. Tom

^ This. Nothing else is even close. Tom

Those are GREAT little reels. I have one of each in the 3600 size and love them! The reel that I wish ABU would bring back is the Record 40. Shoulda grabbed one (or more) when I had the chance. Tom

I have a Gerber multi-tool also that I've carried everyday for 15 years. It gets used almost every day. Tom

Ask and you shall receive http://www.lurenet.com/cotton-cordell-suspending-super-spot Tom

This, exactly. Tom

^^ I agree. Stick with the Swedish made Ambassadeurs. I'd stay away from the BCX, Kalex, S, SX, and STX round reels. In my experience, they aren't nearly the reel that the classic Swedes are. Tom

The cold weather is arriving here as I type. It was 61 degrees at noon, it's now 39 and falling fast. Predicted low tonight of 18, high tomorrow of 32. Possibility of single-digit lows by Wed. night. Tom

Bowfin? There are some pics in this thread http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/146225-new-pb-bowfin-woo/ Tom