tholmes

I'd use the same lures that you use on cloudy, breezy days. It ain't raining where the fish are Lipless cranks or spinnerbaits (in shad-like colors) run over the top of the grass would be where I would start. Tom

I started with a Shakespeare 1920 Wondereel Model FK that my grandpa gave me, along with a Shakespeare steel rod. No free spool, no bearings. I learned to cast that thing without backlashing and every other baitcaster I had after that seemed easy. Tom

$0.00, because the nearest BPS is three hours away, and I really don't need any tackle that I can't get locally Tom

Great post!! Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. You should submit this to be included in the "Fishing Articles" section! Tom

I've caught a lot of bass on Rattlin' Raps, but I've found that, at certain times, another lipless crank will work better. It just depends on what the fish want. The only issue that I've had with the Rapalas is the finish. It doesn't seem very durable. I have several that the top coat of the finish wore off very quickly. They still catch fish though. Tom

X3^ Along with Bandit 200 series in brown craw or something that looks like a bluegill. The other crank that's worked well for me is lipless cranks in chrome w/blue or black back. Tom

Same here. It helps a lot. I got to the point where I could hardly cast about 3 years ago, and my doc recommended one of those things. Works like a charm. Tom

Mostly by it's coloration. The males tend to be more colorful with darker, more saturated colors while the females tend to have more pale, washed-out colors. Tom

You should do fine with that combo. IMHO, the ABU Black Max is the best of the "bargain pried" reels out there. It probably wouldn't stand up to hauling 8 lb. bass out of heavy cover on a daily basis,but I have had one of the newer versions on my "truck rig" for a couple of years now, and it's performed very well, handling several bass in the 5 - 6 lb. range and numerous smaller fish. As others have said, you'll probably want to add more rods and reels to your arsenal as you gain experience and want to try new methods, The fish don't care what you paid for your gear. Tom .

I use an improved clinch knot about 90% of the time and I always wet the knot with spit before tightening it down. Tom

Same here. The lake that I fish the most is full of rip-rap and brush, so my line takes a pretty good beating. I re-tie often and add new line when I start to see the connecting knot. I want around 80 - 100 yards of new line when the spool is full. Tom

Ditto from the guitar player's world. Tom

Along with feel, you should become a dedicated line-watcher. I don't know how many times I've caught bass by setting the hook when the line started moving, either to one side, away from me or it just goes slack for no reason. No tap, just a twitch in the line or it just starts moving. Tom

1. Ribbon tail worm, not particular about the brand 2. Craws/creatures 3. Stick worms. 4. Grubs. 4" or 5", smoke/glitter or watermelon/red flake. Tom

OK, that's it. I'm NEVER going anywhere close to the Amazon. Ain't gonna be no little cooties messin, with the package. Tom

I have used both of these and they both work well. I prefer the Loctite super glue gel just because it sets up faster. Tom

Those are some cool looking fish. I'd love to get down there sometime and get after those things! Tom

That's an absolutely beautiful fish. Too bad it couldn't have been released alive. The battle probably would've killed it, though. Tom

Both of you are in my prayers. God bless and keep you and your wife. Tom

Worms - some shade of purple, green pumpkin, watermelon, junebug, black Craws & creatures - a natural craw color, black/blue Jigs - black/blue, watermelon, green pumpkin Spinnerbaits/buzzbaits - I don't fish 'em a lot, I suppose my "confidence" colors would be white/chartreuse and black with gold or copper blades Crankbaits - Shad, brown craw, bluegill Grubs - watermelon/red flake and smoke/silver flake Tom

From the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks website: "Each angler is limited to two rods (three with three-pole permit) with no more than two baited hooks (single or treble) or artificial lures per line." So, I guess it would be illegal in Kansas. Tom

I knew a guy that grew up in NYC and ended up doing his music therapy internship at a state-run psychiatric hospital where I worked at the time. He was kinda like the guys you all are describing. He had never seen a live chicken, cow, or pig. Once, when a couple of friends and I were talking about "roasting ears", he thought we were talking about real animal ears. He was also fascinated that he could drive 10 minutes from town and see the horizon in all directions. He had never seen the night sky the way it is out here in the middle of Kansas and was blown away by the number of stars that were visible, and he saw the Milky Way for the first time in his life. The flip side of these situations is, I'm sure I would be just as lost and bewildered in his home environment. Tom

WOW!! That's a HUGE catfish. Congrats! Tom

That should do just fine. Tom

^^ This. Except I usually use 12#. Tom