tholmes

These are two that I always have tied on. Tom

That's the nature of the beast. Line conditioner might help a little, but braid is just gonna be noiser than mono or flouro. Tom

Probably burying two points of a 2/0 treble hook into my knee. Way past the barb. But I did end up catching two nice stripers so the day wasn't a total wash-out. Tom

Bluegill and other sunfish can be used as bait in Kansas, regardless of the method of capture. http://kdwpt.state.ks.us/Fishing/Fishing-Regulations/Definitions/Bait-fish Bass and Crappie can be used only if legally taken by hook and line and must be of legal size (15" for LMB in most waters). Why anyone would use a 15" bass for bait is beyond me. Tom

~ 7" ribbon-tail and if I had to pick a color, it would be Tequila Sunrise. Brand name isn't really important to me, I usually use Barlow's house brand. Tom

Very nice! Your wife does have an outstanding voice. Are both of you left-handed players? Oh, I'm VERY envious of that Olson. Tom

I've caught them before on big, white (3/4 - 1oz.) bucktail jigs, flutter spoons, pretty much anything white and/or flashy. People catch them on a piece of un-raveled nylon rope. I wouldn't throw anything expensive at them though, they'll destroy baits in a hurry. Tom

Abu C4. Tom

Right here. http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/rod-building-color-preserver/029110300008.aspx Tom

Norman Fat Boy, Bandit, SK 1.5 & 2.5, Rapala DT Fat are all good. I recently got a couple of Lake Fork Tackle squarebills and they're really nice looking lures, especially the Red Ear Bream. I can hardly wait to give 'em a workout. Tom

Oh, I agree totally. They're great baits. I got a couple of them in a group of used crankbaits and they were very productive and well-made lures, I just can't convince the Scotsman in me the let go of $16.00 per bait. Tom

BPS. Tom

The difference between the two baits is about $10.00. For that, I can tweak a few crankbaits. Tom

They're deadly on bull bluegill and trout also. One of my favorite baits for light spinning gear. Tom

^^ This has worked for me on all of my soft plastics for many years. Fast, easy and cheap. The same qualities I look for in women. Tom

Same here. Being a natural lefty, I've always cast with my left, reeled with my right with both spinning and baitcasters. After doing it this way for 50+ years, there's no chance I'm changing now. Tom

Not trying to be a smart-a**, but I change my line whenever it needs it. When it starts to look weathered, ragged or when the line gets too low on the spool. At least once a season on all of my reels, on some of them two or three times (or more) a season. Tom

Karl Malone, formerly of the Utah Jazz, is an avid fisherman. Tom

I smoked a pork loin for about 8 hrs. last weekend and used about 3 lbs of pellets. I usually go through about 4 bags every summer, but I use the grill a lot. Tom

The two baits I always have tied on are a jig and a T-rigged ribbon-tail worm. A T-rig will flat out catch bass, any season, and in every body of water that I've ever fished for bass in. Rig it up and give it a try! Tom

I meant that the Traeger IMHO, produces a better flavor than charcoal alone. It is due, I believe, to the smoke that is produced by the pellets burning. The temp is adjustable from about 160 degrees to 400 degrees and there's nothing to getting it started, just fill the hopper with pellets and turn it on. The only (minor) drawback I've found is that the Traeger has to be plugged into 110VAC outlet for the pellet auger, fan and electric lighter. Tom

50+ years throwing a baitcaster and I'm still practicing. I'm better than I was last year, but not as good as I'll be next year. Tom

+ 1,000! I've had a Traeger grill for 10 years, and I'll never go back to gas again. Never. Charcoal is good, but the Traeger gives better flavor and more versatility than charcoal with the convenience of gas. Tom

X2^ The Mustad hooks are fine. Tom

I ite directly to the split ring on crankbaits (except some topwaters, like Spooks, there's no split ring. Soft plastics and jigs are tied directly to the hook eye, spinnerbaits are tied directly also. I'll use a ball-bearing swivel ( no snap, only split rings) for spoons and other baits that tend to twist. I guess that I'm never in such a hurry that I can't take 30 seconds to re-tie. Tom