tholmes

Given my interest in astronomy, I found this fascinating. It seems that the sun is angry. A massive CME (coronal mass ejection) has hit the Earth's atmosphere, producing spectacular aurorae at high latitudes. http://news.discovery.com/space/big-pic-spectacular-aurora-norway-120123.html Tom

The water that I fish the most has a lot of rocks and timber. I use an Arky style jig (I guess you could call it a flippin' jig) in 1/4, 3/8. and 1/2 oz. I've settled on blue/black and pumpkin green as my main colors, and use a craw trailer most of the time. I also use a plain ol' ball head tied with bucktail in sizes from 1/8 to 1/2 oz. in a wide variety of colors. Tom

Definitely learn the jig. IMHO, it's an essential technique to learn. Also very productive and versatile. Tom

I'll cast ( ) another vote for the YUM Crawbug. I've done very well on the smallmouth population in a local community lake with the smaller size Crawbug in crawdad color, T-rigged weightless on an EWG 2/0 hook. I'll sometimes add a 1/16 oz. bullet weight if I want a faster fall rate. I also use the larger size to target largemouth Either T-rigged or as a jig trailer. I've been itchin' to try the Rage Craws though. Just can't get 'em locally. Tom

My first initial=t and my last name=holmes I never have forgotten it...yet. Tom

I don't know where the "proper" balance point is, but I like my spinning rigs to balance at a point about 1" forward of the reel stem. Tom

I can't help you with the plant, but the shells you're draggin' in are probably freshwater mussels They're pretty common throughout North America. Tom

^^ This! I never listen to the radio when I'm bass fishing, but when I'm soaking bait for catfish, I'll often have the radio on, always on a baseball game. GO CARDS! Tom

Welcome aboard! There's a lot to learn on this site, both from the library of fishing articles and from other members. Tom

Yep! I have four round Ambassadeurs that I use regularly. A 5600CL Rocket, a 4600C, a ProMax 3600 and a 5500C3. They're rugged, reliable, relativly inexpensive,easy to work on and parts are readily available, even for the older models. Round reels are just more comfortable in my old, arthritic hands. Tom

Great fish, bflow_6! And a great start to the new year! I'm waitin' for the water the water temps to move above 35 here. I've tried slow fishing a jig and a small LFT Magic Shad, but no takers so far C'mon Spring! Tom

They're in the running for the ugly basketball court award also, and certainly leading the pack! Tom

Yep! ^^ That way, you only have to open one box to rig up. Tom

I have to respectfully disagree with that statement. Tebow would be a class act if he played for anyone but the Broncos. Go Pats! Tom

The next time your in Wal-Mart, try a Berkeley Lightning Rod. A little more than the Quantum, but IMHO, a better rod. (Yes, I own both, so I'm speaking from experience) Tom

ROR lens cleaner http://www.ror.net/ I've used this stuff for years on camera, binocular and telescope optics. It's the best that I've ever found. Works very well for eyeglasses too. Tom

This^ I also buy quite a few crankbaits used. Both in the Flea Market forum and locally at yard sales. Sometimes you can get them for pennies on the dollar. Tom

I'd LOVE to try the Rage Tail craws, but the only place locally that sells tackle (WalMart) doesn't carry them. The nearest Dick's is a 2hr. drive and BPS or Cabela's is 3-1/2 hrs. away. I guess the next time that I order from BPS or Cabela's, I'll pick up a few packages. I've been using Yum Crawbugs and they work very well, but they don't work very well as jig trailers. For that, I use Yum Super Chunks and Super Chunk Jr. Tom

^ My feelings exactly! Out in this part of Kansas, we've already got one snowstorm that dumped 10" on us. For me, that's more than enough for a lifetime. My job requires me to do a lot of driving around town and snow complicates things greatly. Seems like a lot of people forget, from one winter to the next, how to drive in snow. IMHO, snow has no redeeming qualities. And don't give me the tired old line about snow being sooooo beautiful either. IT'S FREAKIN' PLAIN WHITE!! If I want to see plain white, I'll sit and stare at a piece of printer paper. Tom

Here ya go! http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/hiseas-fishing-lines/720141.aspx Tom

Also at Jann's: http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/jig-spinner-form/ and Barlow's: http://www.barlowstackle.com/Jig-Spinners-Hammered-Brass--P1205C124.aspx http://www.barlowstackle.com/Jig-Spinners-Smooth-Nickel--P1206C124.aspx http://www.barlowstackle.com/Jig-Spinner-Wire-Forms--P900C124.aspx Tom

Merry Christmas! Tom

I'm in! Thanks! Tom

Yep.^ Fred "Taco" Bland. There was a line of jig heads called "Fred's heads" or something like that. They were marketed by Bush Hog Lures, but I don't think they are in business any longer. They were basically a ball-head jig with a larger than normal hook, much like the shakey head jigs available today. Tom

Since we got about 9 inches of snow Monday night and Tuesday, my fishing is over for a while. I'll while away the cold weather by: Fishing whenever conditions permit playing my guitars pouring, painting and tying jigs packing up some baitcasting reels to send to * for service clean and lube a few spinning reels playing my guitars memorizing the BPS and Cabela's catalogs waiting for the Sports, Boat and Travel show in Wichita next February cleaning out and organizing my tackle boxes Slowly going crazy(er?)waiting for liquid water to return playing my guitars some more shop around for a new 7' crankbait rod try to figure out how to build a fluid bed Spring can't get here soon enough! Tom