tholmes

Download this chart http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/Content/Parts_Sizing.htm It has a hook size chart, as well as charts for spinner blades, swivels, snaps, etc. I try to stay with the hook sizes that the manufacturer uses, occasionally going one size smaller or larger as needed. A very useful chart to keep around. Tom

My first combo was a Zebco 202 and a Zebco rod. It was used mostly for drownin' worms for panfish. When I was 10 years old, my grandpa told me that if I was going to be a "serious" bass fisherman, I needed a proper rod and reel, so he gave me an old Shakespeare model 1920 Wondereel on a 5-1/2' steel rod and a handful of old bass lures. I caught my first bass using that combo and a yellow / red spot Lazy Ike. Tom

^ This. If you aren't losing a few, you're fishing in the wrong place. Tom

Greetings! It sounds to me that you are allowing the line to be wound on the spool without enough tension. After you cast out, try pinching the line lightly between your thumb and forefinger while you take up any slack. Winding the line loosely on the spool will cause loops and other issues resulting in less than ideal casting performance. When you're fishing, the weight and resistance of the lure will keep the line fairly tight as you reel, but practice casting in the yard doesn't provide consistent pull on the line, resulting in the loops you are experiencing. Tom

Blade bait 1/4 oz. - 1/2 oz. in silver or gold Jerk bait - ^ same as above + bone w/orange belly Bucktail jig - 1/8 - 1/4 oz. in black, brown, dark olive or combinations of these colors. Tom

I own 10 casting combos and 5 spinning combos. 5 of the casting rigs and 2 spinning rigs are in the starting lineup. The others get used occasionally. I don't have a lot of money invested, most of them were bought used or on clearance sales. I have WAY more money tied up in lures than I do in rods and reels. Tom

SK Red Eye Shad are my favorites, in Sexy Shad, Chartreuse Sexy Shad, chrome/blue back and some kind of red or orange craw. Tom

Same here! Tom

This is exactly the method that I use. Far less line management issues this way. Tom

I prefer a full cork grip, but I own and use a few EVA split-grip and full grip rods and get along just fine with them. It's not a deal-breaker either way. Tom

Abu 4600C3. Bought it used for $40, Abu ProMax 3600 for $5 at a yard sale. Check out the used market, you can often buy a like-new reel for around half (or even less) of retail. Tom

Squarebills are a year-round staple for me also. I like Bandit, H2O Xpress, and Norman Fat Boy. Tom

R.I.P., David. My prayers are with your wife and family. Tom

ABU Ambassadeur 5000, 5'6" Lew's Speed Stick and a purple Mann's Jelly Worm. Still have the reel, broke the rod years ago, and the Jelly worm is long gone. Tom

I'm 62 and still fishing as often as I can get out. I'm not planning on slowing down anytime soon either. Tom

I have 2 Lightning rods and, Like Dave P. said, they're great rods for the money. I did have one break about 8" from the tip. On closer examination, there was a flaw in the rod material where it broke. Since I bought it at Wally World, they replaced it with no hassle. I've used both of these rods a lot, and they've held up very well. Tom

I use the round Ambassadeurs almost exclusively. Sure, they're big and heavy, but so am I. Due to having very large hands, and limited flexibility, they just fit me more comfortably than low-profile reels. Plus, they're easy to work on and parts are still available, even for 40 year old models. My current line up includes: 2 4600C USA Bass, 4600 CI, 4600 C3, ProMax 3600C, 5000, 5000C, 5500C3, 5600 CL Rocket, 5600 WS, 5600 C4 Mag, and a Record 50. Tom

I catch 'em fairly often on crankbaits, jigs and t-rigged plastics. Even caught one on a spinnerbait about a month ago. Tom

How many "lunkers" do I catch? Not as many as I'd like, but enough to keep me goin' back. Tom

I used to fish for white bass at Wilson with a double rig using a three-way swivel with a Rapala minnow on the top and a 1/8 oz. white marabou jig on the bottom. Doubling up on a couple of good-sized whites was interesting, to say the least! tom

Like others have said, white bass are a blast! When they're chasin' shad, they'll hit anything shiny and moving. I've always thought that an A-rig with 3" white twister tail grubs would be a blast when the white bass are bustin' shad. Tom

^ I agree. I peg the weight almost all of the time because I almost never fish a T-rig in open water. Tom

I'd use a lipless crank. Cast it out and let it sink to the desired depth and yo-yo it back in. Tom

T-rigs, jigs and shallow to medium cranks. Spinnerbaits come into play sometimes, as do lipless cranks, jerk baits, topwater baits, C-rigs, etc. Tom

Unless you're left-handed. Then the right-hand cranking reels are the "intelligent" choice. Tom