tholmes

I've never used the flippin' rod, but I have a 6' MH and a 7' MH Lightning Rods and I like them a lot. Like LMG said, best rod for the money out there. If you can snag one for 25 bucks, I don't see how you can go wrong. Tom

Black Max at $49.99 at Wally World. Pair it with a Berkley Lightning Rod ($40-ish) and you'll have a very serviceable combo that comes in at less than $100. Tom

Several years ago, I was deep crankin' for walleye at a local reservoir when I felt a bump on the lure. I set the hook and felt weight on the line but it didn't feel quite "right". I reeled it in and, to my surprise, I landed a Lew's Speed Stick with an Ambassadeur 5000-D on it. It was in pretty good shape and, after a thorough cleaning and re-lubing, it worked like a champ. I used that rig for several years. Tom

Norman Deep Little N in redear Bomber Fat free Shad in root beer float Rapala DT-6 and DT-10 in Helsinki Shad and Bluegill SK 2.5 in Chrome Sexy Shad, Gold Sexy Shad But if I had to pick only one, it would be a SK red eye shad in Bleeding Chrome/blue back. Tom

I have several lures that I've painted solid black. Like Scorcher214 said, a black Jitterbug is a primo nighttime bait. I've had success with an all black rattle trap, as well as a couple of crankbaits. Black is also a productive color for jigs, spinnerbaits, buzz baits and soft plastics. Tom

X2 ^ I used to sleep in my recliner a lot, but since we got a Sleep Number bed, not so much. Tom

I'm left-hand dominant, so I reel both spinning and baitcasting reels with my right hand. I can't imagine doing it the other way. Tom

Jitterbug for open water, Snag Proof frog in the slop. Buzz baits are in the mix also. Tom

IIRC, The BB-1NG was made for Lew's by Shimano back in the '80s. There were other models that were made by Ryobi (BB1L, I think). They're pretty darn good reels. Tom

^^ Truth. Accuracy trumps distance, IMHO. I'd rather be able to drop a lure in a bucket at 30 yards than throw an 80 yard missle. Tom

I average around 7 hours a night. I used to be able to go on 3-4 hours a night for weeks on end when I was younger but, these days, I need my sleep. Tom

Great shots, Chris! Tom

Very nice! Tom

As far as prepared baits go, this is the best that I've found http://www.bee-jaybait.com/Default.aspx Tom

I've caught bass "froggin'" along the outside edge of a stand of cattails. Also among a mess of submerged stumps in about 4' of water. So no, IMHO you don't need lily pads, but they are prime spots for fishin' frogs. Tom

Welcome! I might see ya at Wilson one of these days! Tom

Hahahaha! I've been hooking quite a few bass like that lately too. Must have been a pretty good spawn this spring! Tom

My best results after dark have come with: Black jitterbug, the largest one you can find. 9-10" (or larger) worms. T-rigged either with or without weight. Black, junebug, and purple. BIG spinnerbaits, 3/4 oz. or larger. My best color has been black with a soup spoon- sized copper Colorado blade, but at times, other colors will produce as well. I'm of the opinion that large baits that raise a lot of ruckus are the most effective after dark. Since they probably can't see your lure, they need to hear/feel the vibrations it creates. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it Tom

1/16 oz. maribou jigs, white, chartreuse, black all will work at times. Crappie seem to me to be more picky about color than other fish. Tom

Welcome to the best fishing forum on the interwebz! Tom

I'll agree that you would have to make a LOT of jigs to recoup the cost of tools and materials, but that's not the reason that I make 'em. There's a certain satisfaction (vanity?) in catching a fish on a lure that you designed and made. It also gives me something to do when the water is frozen over and I've memorized all of the tackle catalogs. Tom

Nice jigs, smalljaw! Nothin' wrong with the pictures, except I want to go get a hammer and pound down that nail in the upper left of the pics. Tom

Add to the list Bandit 300 series and Bomber Deep Fat Free Shad. All great , affordable crankbaits. Tom

I've had pretty good results with UL spinning gear using small in-line spinners such as Mepps, Panther Martin and Rooster Tails. Tiny little Roadrunner type jigs are pretty good too. I've even caught trout on the smallest size of Rat-L-Traps in chrome and gold colors. Tom

X2^ I throw something to target bass every time I go out, but if they're not cooperating, catfish, wipers, white bass and bluegill get my attention. Tom