tholmes

My favorite rain gear is my recliner, my guitar and two fingers of Maker's Mark. Tom

Nice looking jigs! If you do get cured paint in the eyes, it can be removed with a heated needle. If you get REALLY addicted, you might consider investing in a fluid bed. It makes getting a light, even coat of paint much easier. I got mine here: http://www.tjstackle.com/fluidbed2.htm Tom

The C3s , C4s, Record and Morrum reels are still made in Sweden. IMHO, they're some of the best reels out there as far as reliability and durability. As for adapting to a round reel vs. a low-profile, only you can determine that. Personally, I find the round reels easier on my hands than a low-profile design, and the older I get, the more I feel that way. Bottom line - you'll have to determine which is better for YOU. Tom

Another option is to shop the Flea Market section on this board. Lots of bargains to be found there. Tom

I've done pretty well with the Rapala DT 20 Metal in both Helsinki Shad and Red Crawdad. They run true out of the box and don't hang up very easily. They are a bear to pull for long periods of time though. I also like the Norman DD22 a lot. Especially the Mean Green color. Tom

New York style all the way! I don't like my pizza to resemble a casserole. Tom

THe 5600 C4 is 10 oz. Tom

Abu Ambassadeur 5600C4. Tom

I really don't mind the repeat posts so much. Generally, the information being sought is pretty basic stuff to us long-time fishermen, but to someone new to bass fishing, it's a genuine need to know. We've all been there. Plus, getting a personal response to a question goes a long ways toward making a newbie feel welcome and more like they belong here. Just my $.02. Tom

I just finished cooking a pot of my infamous black chili. My wife won't even go in the kitchen while it's cooking. Tom

^ Exactly. The bass don't change what they feed on, but the location of the forage may (probably will) change. I've caught bass on a t-rigged worm in every month of the year. Tom

I'm fortunate to have a couple of small community lakes within 10 minutes of my house. One of them is also about 2 minutes from my office. I fish there during my lunch break (weather permitting) almost every day. The 6+ pounder in my avatar came on one of these noon fishing trips. I also fish for a couple of hours in the evening a couple of times a week. Tom

Yep. Either of these two would be my choice. I couldn't go with the Spirex for two reasons - I don't like rear drags, and I don't like the casting trigger. But then, you should go handle each reel and pick the one that YOU prefer. Tom

Tom

Switch to DishNetwork, they've got it. Tom

Based on past results, a black Jitterbug. Tom

^ Correct answer. Tom

Locally ,Wal-Mart is all I've got. I drop in at Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Academy, etc. when I'm in the neighborhood. A lot of my purchases are online from Barlow's, TW, and others. Tom

I throw .em year 'round, at least when there's no ice. Tom

As a rank amateur, I've always used Pro-Tec. A 2 oz. jar will coat a lot of jigs. Tom

As long as the water's frozen. Tom

^ This exactly. IMHO, any of the knots mentioned in this thread will work just fine if they are tied properly. Tom

T-rig followed closely by a jig and trailer rig. Tom

1/8 - 1/4 oz. bucktail jigs. Tom

Just one this year, Kansas. My annual trout fishing trip to Colorado is to a private lake, no license required. tom