tholmes

A lot of people think that a bass "hooks itself" on a crank bait. While that happens occasionally, it's certainly not the norm. I've found that if you set the hook when you first feel the fish hit the bait, you'll often hook them very lightly or not at all. I wait until I feel the weight of the fish on the line, then set with a quick, upward sweep. Tom

I really don't have a specific brand that I could say is my favorite, but I catch the most fish on these three (not necessarily in order). Jig T-rigged ribbon-tail worm Crankbait

The lake that I fish the most has a 15" length limit. Anything over that gets me pumped, 5 lbs. or better really gets me goin'. Tom

My pick would be Chicago Pneumatic. Not the least expensive, but built to last. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_370419_370419 Tom

I agree^^. Sounds like a recipe for trouble to me. Tom

Those all look great, Big Bass Man! That bluegill in the bottom photo is the best looking 'gill pattern I've ever seen, bar none Fantastic work! Tom

It's impossible to pick just one favorite, but if I had to, it would be a 1/2 oz. Rat-L-Trap in chrome/blue back. Tom

Three fingers in front of the trigger on baitcasters, and three fingers in front of the reel stem on a spinning reel. Tom

4 - 5 days a week, usually only for a couple of hours each day. Since my office is only a minute away from a 50 acre community lake, I take my lunch break fishing every day the weather permits. Tom

I've had a Black Max reel for a couple of years and it's served me very well. IMHO, the best $50 reel out there. Tom

Some shade of purple, some shade of green and black. Tom

I use Yum, Barlow's (great baits at a bargain price),Zoom and Strike King mostly. As far as color, worms in tequila sunrise, red shad, junebug, black, green pumpkin and watermelon seed. Craws and creature baits in natural craw colors, black/blue flake, watermelon and green pumpkin. Grubs, smoke/silver flake, black, white, watermelon / red glitter and chartreuse. Tom

Jitterbug, followed closely by a Devil's Horse. Tom

Exactly what I carry. Tom

Property code inspection and enforcement. Tom

X2! The 3/8 oz. size in Tennessee Shad, Dark Brown Craw and Brown on Yellow are my favorites. Tom

For jigs, it's mostly 1/4 oz to 1/2 oz. depending on conditions. T-rigs, anywhere from 1/16 oz.for a slow fall and smaller plastics up to 1 oz. fro deep cover or very windy conditions. Tom

X2^ Tom

Not so much rods and reels, but I can't walk by the crankbaits without grabbing a few. Tom

X2^ Function over form. Tom

X2^ The old inline spinners are still consistent producers. A shout out for the Silver Buddy, too. I used to have a Do-It mold to make these, but I loaned it to a guy and he disappeared along with my mold. Tom

Spinning: 2# - 8# Trilene XL Casting: 10# - 20# Trilene Big Game. Tom

I have a couple of all black Rat-L-Traps that work well at night and in really murky water. I've never thrown them in clear or slightly stained water or in the middle of the day. I guess I'll give that a try. Tom

KVD 2.5 and Norman Fat Boy. Tom

That's my favorite color also. Tom