Papa_Tom

Starting with tackle...I use an SF Curado (not the new model) on a 6'6" and 7' Fenwick HMG MH power medium action rods. These rods are great for this technique. LONG casts. Let them take it for a second, you should see the jig fully in their mouth when you bring him in. If I am in a lake with grass I will always be spooled with PowerPro 30/8. If not I may have 12 or 15 # Big Game green. There are multiple styles of swim jigs out there. Some guys just use regular casting jigs. I really like the Brovarney swim jig. Quality made, comes thru whatever I want to throw it in. Soft, sparse weedguard. Well tied skirts in a multitude of colors. For the most part, I try to imitate either shad or bream in my colors. You don't have to get real exotic with the color. (Well, I may not have followed this piece of advice.) White or silver with a Zoom or GYCB single trailer. Smoke or clear with some silver metalflake is really good. Also use anything I think will represent a bream. I like to keep it in the top of the column when possible, over the cover. I usually bring it back pretty quick. However, there are days to slow roll it as well. Nothing wrong with swimming it just off the bottom. You can cover a lot of water with this technique and have a lot of fun.

Got it, read it, chunked it. For me, I just wasn't interested. I don't think I will ever buy a rod without having it in my hands. I want to feel the power, action, weight, etc.

Some good advice. I might add that I saw Mike Ike spooling up on TV----I think an episode of Classic Patterns. He ran his line thru a couple of guides to the reel. Do like Garnet said to check for twists. The other thing is that he sprayed a cloth with silicone (Reel Magic, etc) and held the line in that just in front of the reel to both apply tension and to clean the buildup from the line. I've done this several times now and it works great. I used to use a big book and weight, but it isn't necessary anymore. Try this one.

I usually want one to stand up so I opt for a floater of some type. Most often the 3X or the Davis Shaky worm.

Used to years ago. Probably haven't used a trailer hook in 10 years, and I honestly can't say I can tell a loss in efficiency. Won't say I never would use one, just saying I haven't seen the need for one in a long time.

Friend of mine gets the stuff anytime he gets near it. He uses household bleach. The sooner the better. Sometimes it doesn't blister up if he gets to it quickly enough.

I like some of them. Particularly the finesse worm. Use it a lot on shaky head rig. Also like the Denny Brauer jig trailer.

Any problems with line twist when using the keepers? Got a friend that uses them and he doesn't complain about it, just looks like it could happen. Thanks

Used to fish out of a 170 with a guy. Good boat. Have a friend that has an e-Tec. He's very happy with it. Good luck with your decision

Another option if you want to not be 'Captain Morgan' is to install a ProTray which will recess your current foot control. This, of course, if you want to keep your present TM. Or it could be another option if you are needing to upgrade but find the wireless to be cost prohibitive. Not sure which way I would go: wireless, ProTray or handcontrol. I am starting to have back troubles again and may be looking at a change of some kind.

Several years ago---not too long after rattles were first being attached to jigs--I read an article by Rich Zaleski (I think in Fishing Facts). Subject of the article was tests he had completed on jig rattles in an aquarium. Using underwater devices to detect the sounds, he surmised that the jig landing, knocking on rocks, limbs, etc., was far louder than any noise emitted by the rattle. Plus, take a look at how you have to move the jig to activate the rattle. Hard to do that at the end of a line. When I buy a jig, if it's got a rattle, fine. If not, I'm OK with that, too. Get 'em wet and put 'em where they live.

If I were only able to buy one nice thing for my fishing and I had a choice between glasses, rods, reels, etc., it would most definitely be the glasses. I may not have always felt this way, but assuredly do now. I also had the experience of taking several pair outside to try on. There is a difference. You can sense some relaxation when you have on really good glasses. Bought the Costa's. No more headaches at the end of the day, no squinting. One of the best things you can do for yourself.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm leaning toward this sounder, altho I am still receptive to other suggestions. Also was looking at their color unit --forget the number--for about $229. Like I said this one will go on a jon boat that will stay at a small lake. Don't want to put too many bucks in it, but want something that will serve well. Thanks again

I can't offer any better suggestions for removal of old letters/numbers. For new, I got mine from a local sign shop that computer generated them. Look great. One strip, perfectly aligned. However, they were close to $50. I can second the recommendation of Cart7 as to the quality of Kelly's work as a friend ordered his there. And it is reasonably priced.

Little help here, please. Looking to put a unit on my Buddy Boat that stays on a small (20 acre, shallow) lake. I have all Lowrance products on my Ranger. Saw the 525 and thought it may be a good bang for the buck. Haven't used 'Birds since way back in the Super Sixty days. Also had their paper graph back then as well. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheap fix that I found. Got a BPS Aluminum Line Winder.....$9.99. Put line spool on shaft, adjust spring tension, thread line thru guides and crank it on. Comes with a suction cup that I immediately toss. Usually stick the shaft between my feet and hold it like that. Think you will see your line go on evenly. It takes up no more room than a screwdriver. One of the handiest items I have bought. http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=20677&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Congratulations. Beautiful boat. Enjoy.

I wrote Lowrance recently about this. Their response to me was that they found Original Windex--NO AMMONIA-- "to work nicely". The ammonia can harm the screen. I've used it a couple of times now and am OK. The LCD cloth sounds like it does the job also.

Congrats....here's to many, many happy trips

My partner and I watched a guy catch close to 30 pounds off one point on Ky Lake last spring. Doubt if it took him 20-25 minutes. You couldn't find one anywhere at that time. Partner got hold of a couple few weeks later. Went back to Ky, he threw it for about an hour while I threw a swim jig. I caught fish, he hadn't a bite. Gave me his rod to try it, three casts caught a 20" and a 22". Last ones I got on it. Went to a private lake, three trips not one strike with it. I know those fish had never seen the hottest bait in N.A. I'm not bashing it because I still have guys telling me that it produces for them. I couldn't make it work if it had dynamite tied to it.

I, too, would wonder if this was HMX instead of HMG. The HMG's usually start around $120. 70 bucks for that rod would be terrific. I have two HMG's (only non-Cara, Lowrider rods I have) and I like them.

Most often throw a Brovarney in 1/4 oz. Great majority of time it is with a single tail grub. Have used doubles or chunks on occasion. Change speed by grub size as well as by jig size. I sometimes go to 1/8 oz if I am working topped out stuff slowly. Use braid for this, especially if in vegetation. While a 1/4oz jig may seem light (grub weighs something, too) I can throw it quite far. I keep it in the top of the column most of the time, moving quickly. Most often I am in clear water, therefore the long casts. If I want to go deeper and fast(er) I usually go up to 3/8, or change the grub size/style. Probably 95% of the time it's a 1/4oz, tho. This is about my favorite method.

Have several Cara's and a few Lowriders. I have never had one complaint about Falcon products, or service. Their website gives a ton of info about their products and will help you decide which rod is right for you. Most Falcon owners are pretty loyal to the line, that speaks volumes for the product. Doubt that you will be disappointed with the rod.

Haven't seen BG braid yet. I use Big Game for all mono 10# and up---wish they made it in lower tests. I don't use much braid, only for swim jigs and I use PowerPro for that. I've never been disappointed with the PP, but I might be tempted to try BG. Sorry, no help.

Right at thirty years now. Bought a Bantam when they first came out. Then some more. I've strayed a few times. Had a 521 XLT or two. Bought a couple of Quantums eight or nine years ago, that didn't last long. Everything is Shimano now and the world seems good.