tholmes

T-rig - 1/8 to 1/4 oz. bullet weight T-rig - weightless That's about the only rigs I use for creature baits. Tom

Same here. With things like Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus around, I'm not taking any chances. Tom

5 for most bass fishing applications, 6 for lines 6lb. and lighter. In 50+ years of fishing, I can count on one hand the number of knot failures that I've experienced. Tom

I've caught plenty of bluegill and crappie on the 1/8 oz. Tiny Traps in chrome/blue back. Lots of trout also. Tom

Panther Martins are my favorite spinner too, followed by Mepps. Rooster Tails are a distant 3rd. Tom

I just got back from my local Wal-Mart. I picked up a whole bunch of Rebel squarebills for $1.50 ea. Those suckers flat out catch fish! Tom

^ Yep! And it ain't even close. For me, the next most effective would be crankbaits, followed by jig 'n' pig, spinnerbaits, then everything else

I'd agree^^ Add to the list Norman, Bomber, Xcalibur, H2O Express, Rebel, Rapala...there are many, many great crankbaits in your price range, Tom

These two have caught a lot of fish for me. Tom

I agree. It may just be my personal preference, but I like a Med. power / Med. fast rod for squarebills, and shallow to medium depth crankbaits. Tom

Rusted hooks and split rings get replaced, If a lure gets dirty, I clean it. Minor paint rubs get ignored, but if a lot of paint is gone, I salvage the hooks and split rings (if they're good) and give the bodies to a friend who repaints them. Tom

Both excellent choices. I also like Bomber 7A, Norman Middle N and Brad's Wiggler (the middle size) for medium depth cranks. Tom

Shakespeare Wondereel 1920 with matching steel rod. My grandpa gave it to me when I was around 10 yrs. old, It's now hanging on the wall in my office. Tom

I'm partial to a Little George myself. Tom

Somewhere between a toad and a hog. Nice! Tom

I make my own jigs because I enjoy it and to save money. Since I already have a lead pot, several molds and a couple hundred pounds of lead, I can make my own jigs for about $1.00 each in materials costs. Plus, there's a certain satisfaction in catching fish on lures that I've made. Tom

Same here! *** Tom

Casting - 5'6". Spinning 5' UL Tom

HEY!! Stay outta my tackle box! I fish from shore exclusively these days and in a small lake with lots of rip-rap banks. I use all of the baits in Quake N Shake's picture plus squarebills, T-rigged ribbontail worms, pretty much everything except drop shot rigs. Tmo

Thank you! The gullibility of some people never ceases to amaze me. Tom

NORMAN FAT BOY Bandit, Xcalibur, Strike King, are all great, but the Fat Boy is my favorite, by far. Tom

10 lb. Trilene Big Game on my baitcasters, 8 lb. Yo-Zuri Hybrid on my spinning rigs. Tom

13.5 lb. channel cat on 4 lb. mono with a 1/16 oz. white marabou jig and a 5' "buggy whip" UL. 16 lb. striper on 6 lb. mono and a light spinning rod. He took a 1/8 oz. chome rattle trap. Tom

For me, it has to be Clarks Hill. Beautiful place and where I caught my PB largemouth. Tom

I don't mind fishing in the rain. THe problem is, at least around here, is that rain is usually accompanied by lightning, gusty winds and sometimes hail. I won't fish in a thunderstorm. Tom