tholmes

There couldn't be a universal handle. Way too many different designs for that to work. THere's a possibility that a handle from a different Pfleuger reel might fit, though. I'd contact customer service and check it out. Tom

I'm in! Thanks! Tom

How far below the surface is the top of the grass? If there's some water above the grass, I'd try burnin' a spinnerbait or a buzz bait over the top of the grass. Tom

I've developed a built-in "reset button". Miss a big fish? Just hit the button and make the next cast. Yeah, I wish it never happened, but I'm not gonna spoil a day of fishing worrying about it. Tom

X3. Tom

You should always get another rod. GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) is a terrible thing. Tom

+1,000^ The release point was the toughest thing for me to adjust to when I first picked up a baitcaster. There's a learning curve there, for sure. If you release a BC at the same point as a spinning rig, you won't get much distance. Like islandbass said, it'll come with practice Tom

Really great band, IMHO. A breath of fresh air in the dung heap of what gets labeled as country music these days. > Resident grumpy old man. Tom

What do you topcoat them with? Thanks Tom

+1^ Tom

A lot of my gear has come from yard sales. There are incredible bargains to be found. It's amazing how many people will buy expensive gear, use it a couple of times, then lose interest and basically give it away at a yard sale. Tom

^^ This. Tom

I'm a natural lefty also, and I found that when I started fishing seriously, baitcasters just seemed more natural to me. Cast with my left hand and reel with my right. No switching hands for me. Of course, back then, spinning reels that were designed to be cranked with the right hand were few and far between. The Mitchell 301 was about the only game in town. My gear is evenly divided between baitcasting and spinning outfits. a quick mental inventory counts 6 of each. I'd say that I'm equally incompetent with both. Generally, I use spinning gear for the lighter stuff (1/4 oz. and lighter) and baitcasters for the bigger baits, although I have spinning gear that will handle anything in my tackle box. Tom

This.^ My goal is to fish more this year than I did last year, and enjoy it more. Also to introduce my adopted grandson to fishing. Tom

The jig (in it's many forms) will catch virtually any gamefish. I've caught LMB, SMB walleye, crappie, freshwater drum, striped bass, white bass,wiper, sauger, channel cat, bream, and others I'm sure I've forgotten. And that's just in freshwater. IMHO, the jig is THE most versatile lure of all time. Tom

I'm really not trying to be a smart-a$$, but my favorite technique is the one that the fish like the best on that day. I use all of those techniques with those types of baits and I've caught bass with 'em all. Try 'em all and let the bass decide. Tom

There's also this one... http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0064751124241a&navCount=1&podId=0064751&parentId=cat600037&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=MainCatcat20166-cat600037&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat600037&hasJS=true Tom

What I've learned from night fishing is that people do strange things along the shore of a lake at night. Tom

Gotta go with black. Given a second choice, it would be purple. Tom

Red Eye Shad are quickly becoming my favorite lipless crank. I caught quite a few bass (both LMB & SMB) on them last year, so I picked up several more when our local Wally-World put them on clearance for $1.00 ea. ;D Tom

http://www.mannsbait.com/2009%20Catalog/catalog.asp?Jump=12 look in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Tom

Are you growin' antlers under that thing? Tom

If you're "cotton candy" is that God-awful bubblegum pink, I agree. I've never caucht anything on it. Oh yeah, firetiger just kills in the small lakes around here, especially when the water's a little muddy. Tom

I use mostly 1/8 - 1/4, but I keep a few 1/2 - 3/4 around 'cause the wind can be pretty fierce here, especially in the spring. Tom

Sure is! But not different enough to pry $29.99 out of my pocket. Tom