tholmes

Drop Out works great. I've used it for years for bullets, jigs and sinkers using everything from pure lead to linotype alloy (4% tin, 12% Antimony, 84% lead) and had no problems. I don't see any reason it wouldn't work just as well for a bismuth/tin alloy. I get it from Midway. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=763758 Tom

You must be my long-lost brother I'm an unrepentant yard sale shopper. My tackle box (and my rod rack) is full of stuff I've bought for pennies on the dollar at garage sales. I pick up a lot of stuff in the clearance bins too. Tom

In my opinion, it's the responsibility of every fisherman to know all state and local regulations, and to follow them to the letter. I see way too many so-called fishermen leaving our municipal lakes with plastic grocery bags full of 10"-12" bass when there's a 15" length limit and a creel limit of 5 bass. Yeah, I report them, but there's rarely anything done as a result. Tom

Yep. A small lake that I fish has water that matches that description exactly. One of my most productive baits on that lake has been a big spinnerbait black skirt and head with a soup spoon sized hammered copper blade. Tom

Use the gravity assist? Tom

I don't have to ask, I know how they get there But I'm too old and fat to climb up after them. Tom

I've bought them from Barlow's in the past and been generally satisfied, especially with their lipless cranks. http://www.barlowstackle.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&DID=6&Product_ID=1169&CATID=60 Tom

Another thing to consider, especially if you've been using spinning gear...you'll need to change your release point slightly when using baitcasters. The release should be slightly earlier that it is with spinning tackle. The proper release will not only help reduce backlashes, it will improve you casting distance as well. Tom

That's some good advice there. Finding a teacher that will teach you what you enjoy and want to learn makes a world of difference. I wish that I would have had a good teacher 50 years ago when I started playing. I wouldn't have picked up all those bad techniques that I had to un-learn later. Tom

If you ever step on one of those bad boys with bare feet, you'd probably understand better the urge to kill them Tom

Great looking baits, cadman! You know, I've used powder paint on jigs for years, but it never occurred to me to use it for blades. I'll have to give it a try! Tom

The key to getting a good paint job, especially on metal, is surface preparation. If you get the blades absolutely clean and grease-free, use a good primer (this is important), then pretty much any quality paint would work. I've had good results using automotive touch-up paint in rattle cans. Tom

Shad and bluegill. Oops, I guess you said color, as in one. Shad. Tom

I learned the basics from my grandpa. He started me on a cane pole with a worm and bobber, taught me to tie an improved clinch knot and and taught me to use spinning gear. He also taught me to "read the water" and how bass relate to structure. Thanks to this site, I'm learning more all the time. Tom

I guess my biggest flaw is sticking with a bait or technique long after any sane person could see that it just ain't working. Tom

I keep a spool of 10#, 12#, 15# and 20# on hand at all times, and use it on all of my baitcasters. I've found that it doesn't do very well on spinning reels, it's a little too stiff. Tom

I'll use snaps (Berkley cross-lock) on hard baits and ball-bearing swivels on Kastmasters and such. Never snap swivels. Tom

In no particular order: Green pumpkin, grape, and black. White would be #1 for grubs. Tom

I'm mostly a shore fisherman these days. I sold my last boat about 15 years ago after an industrial accident left me with a compromised sense of balance and some mobility issues. I'll sometimes ride with a buddy, but I don't trust myself alone in a boat anymore. Tom

My favorite is the first good bass that I caught on an artificial bait. Fishing with my grandfather in an abandoned gravel pit with my then new Mitchell 301 and Conolon rod, tossing a Lazy Ike (yellow w/red spots) along the edge of a weed line. Hooked up with a fat 4 lb. bass. I'll never forget the thrill. Tom

Congrats on the new job. I wish you well. I'm sure the bait monkey is thrilled. ;D Tom

You bet! A large portion of my tackle is "older stuff". Among my frequently used reels are a Shakespeare President II Model 1980, a Ryobi AD 4000V, and two old Ambassadeurs, a 4600C and a ProMax 3600. There's also an old Quantum and a Shimano Bantam Mag 100 that both need a little work, if I can still find parts. Regular cleaning and maintenance has kept some of these reels working smoothly for over 30 years. Tom

I was gonna say...I never have any trouble hooking up, but landing those suckers is a challenge. Tom

Yep! I got a lifetime supply by sifting slugs out of the sand backstop at a local gun club range (the range is also used by law enforcement agencies). I should add that I am, of course, a member of the club and had permission to remove the lead. I probably have 200 lbs. of clean, soft lead. That'll make a lot of 1/4 oz. jigs ;D Tom

10/0 snagging hook. Tom