tholmes

I bought my wife a rod and reel (along with the usual flowers, candy, etc.) for our first anniversary. Sure, it was a Zebco 33 and a Shimano 'glass rod, but she loved that I would want to include her in my fishing. Plus it sure beat her Popiel Pocket Fisherman Tom

Democrats Republicans PETA Tree-huggers Child abusers Wife-beaters Thieves People who don't pay attention (for whatever reason) while they're driving Tom

I agree with RiverRat, sounds like you're not getting the jigs hot enough, for long enough. for a proper cure. Re: vinyl paint. It IS tough, but the big downside, in my experience, is that it will react with some soft plastics, causing it to soften and peel. you can overcoat it with epoxy, but that adds one more step to an already PITA process. Tom

I had the same problem (hanging up a lot) with the shad blade type of lures. I replaced the trebles with open-shank double hooks with the points facing backwards. It helped a LOT. Tom

Another vote for Loctite Gel superglue. I prefer it over epoxy just for the faster setting time. Tom

^This. Almost for sure. Don't try to melt the ice out with a torch 'kay? Tom

Good on ya! I wish you all the best. I'm in the midst of that process now. I've gone from 270 a year ago to 230 now. I've kinda hit a plateau during the winter since I'm not as active, but I'm looking to lose another 30 lbs. or so this spring and summer. Tom

When I enrolled last year, I waited 3 months, still no magazine or "free" tackle bag. I called them and within a week I had both. Tom

Couldn't have said it better myself! Great post sir. Tom

If you're not married to a particular brand, Barlow's sells most of their soft plastics in 100 ct. or 50 ct .bags. I've really liked the ones that I've used, especially the ribbon-tail worms. http://www.barlowstackle.com/Soft-Plastic-Lures-C7.aspx Tom

^^X2! I love Culprit worms, but they're gettin' hard to find locally. A quarter a pack is not a good deal, it's THEFT! Tom

Out here on the desolate plains of central Kansas, Dick's and Gander Mountain are 130 miles away, Cabela's and BPS are 250 miles, so I don't make it to any of them very often. I buy a lot of stuff on-line from Barlow's, Jann's and Cabela;s, the rest comes from Wal-Mart. Tom

"Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden "Effort without results is wasted, results without effort are still results" - unknown Tom.

Same here. I use a 400 grit stone from a vertical hone. 3/8" square X 8" long, cut in half. It's small and easy to stash in the tackle box and will put a VERY sharp point on a hook. I sharpen almost all my hooks when they need it, some get sharpened right out of the package. Jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, worm hooks, they all need a touch-up now and then. Tom

Really? As far as solid colors go, black is easily my best producer. Give it a try! Tom

Welcome from another flatlander! Tom

I've caught fish on white grubs, but never on any other white soft plastic. THe other colors that I've never caught anything on are bubblegum and orange. Tom

I'd be looking for a used Remington 870 Express 12 ga. You'd be lucky to find a good one at your price point, but I've seen them go for around $200. Tom

Ooops! my mistake, I must have missed your post. You're right, the Crazy Crawler is another classic topwater bait that's in my arsenal. Tom

Yep! The one I've used for years for bullets, jigs and sinkers is called Drop-Out. I get it from either Barlow's http://www.barlowstackle.com/Casting-Release-Spray--P361C62.aspx or MidwayUSA http://www.midwayusa.com/product/763758/frankford-arsenal-drop-out-bullet-mold-release-agent-and-lube-6-oz-aerosol Stuff is invaluable. Tom

My fishing style has changed drastically. I used to fish primarily from a boat, targeting bass, stripers, walleye, etc. About 15 years ago, I was injured in an industrial accident that severely affected my mobility and sense of balance. I will no longer go out by myself in a boat so all of my fishing is from the bank. I still enjoy my fishing as much as ever though, it just takes some adaptation. Tom

I can't believe that in 34 replies, no one has mentioned the mighty Jitterbug. Am I that old? Tom

I never get tired of seeing great-looking lures! Keep 'em coming! Tom

They're also pretty effective as a trailer on a 1/4 oz. spinner bait. No skirt, just a white 3-1/2" Magic Shad (white is my favorite color, followed by Magic Shad and Golden Shiner). Slow roll it over rocks and timber. I've also had good results with both sizes rigged texsposed on a weighted swimbait hook. 3/0 for the 3-1/2" ones, 5/0 for the 5-1/2".. Tom

Sweet! That top one looks exactly like the crawdads around here in early spring. "Rocko" looks like a real winner also! Tom