TimJ

not necessarily calling last cast but knowing that we needed to fill a day 3 limit and already fishing into our travel time...and I nail a 14 1/8" SM (14" min) to finish. cool thing was that I was fishing a team pro-am out of Windsor, Ontario with Steve Clapper and that fish helped him to his win (by ounces) of the Canadian Open. what a great feeling to contribute under pressure. very enjoyable.

My son and I spent the morning on StClair. After I caught a few on the X-Rap, Kevin decided that he would try one...15 fish later (LM, smallies, northern pike, silver bass, drum...just a normal day on StClair) and he has a new favourite bait!

pondboss...good for you. it's always nice to gain confidence in a bait quickly...funny, my son just did the same thing today with an Xrap!

pop-r...almost anywhere that weeds don't come to surface buzzbait...over the flats and in alleys through reeds, etc flipping a producto worm...in reeds and slop

way to go Kris. hope you enjoy the pop-r. next, you will have to use it during times when "the book" says it shouldn't work. tough to do but you might learn some odd conditions in your area that work. I can't tell you how many midday StClair SM and LM I catch on hot summer blue sky days.

btw, the 702 does not have a problem with hooksets or moving a fish. it's just that the constant bottom contact of tube dragging really moves the rod tip a LOT. Tim

thanks guys. I went with the 703. I will use the 702 for a lot of apps but if the 703 is more like what I use now, I will be very happy. can't beat the price. Tim

I just cannot imagine how touched by an event one must be to write that. thanks DB and Glenn. very passionate.

after that description, I might just give it a shot. I'll let you know how it goes.

other than Grey Wolf's serious answer, my first thought was "very carefully"...but then, I use a spinning rig to skip.

I use P-Line flourocarbon and don't have any problems with it. just wondering how the trilene 100% flourocarbon might compare to it. I think it's about the same price. thanks.

Kris...you have got to keep trying. Once you catch 'em on it, you can't put it down! try different retrieves...quick with very short stops, 1-2-stop, the old bloop and let the rings disappear. if the bass are on topwaters, something's gotta work.

Thanks to all who helped me out earlier with my Dobyns questions. After using my 702SF, I have come to feel that the action is a bit light for my tubing needs. It feels nice throwing topwaters, though. MY QUESTION is: am I overreacting to the ML/fast rod AND should I be using this action with braid to give me a built-in shock absorber? I may buy another Savvy with the sales this week and I am thinking of going to the 703SF since I need a bit more (M) action for draggng tubes which is a common way of fishing up here. Any input will help me. thanks Tim J

My experience has shown me that wood or metal doesn't seem to matter. It's what is associated with the docks that does...overhead clearance, size/shape, shade, weeds, depth, etc. Fishing an open bullet sinker, etc could lead to some noise if you contact the dock but I will throw or skip tubes, floating worms, craws, etc and the plastic makes little sound on contact (if that's a negative to you).

I agree with Grey Wolf...you said it, the LM are bigger. if your SM move a lot, like our StClair fish do, that would be a second reason to fish for LM over SM. Good luck!

I have seen a LM caught in my boat, about 15" long, with a 6" manns jelly worm hanging about 3" out of its anus. we pulled it out slowly and returned the fish. the worm still had colour but had a bleached look to it, prob from stomach acid I guess.

nice pics Vince. the kids must love having a crazy dad like you! Tim PS...Corey and Kevin say hi. Kevin is out of school so we have been fishing StClair's C&R bass season. nothing big yet but we have had some fun. I will post pics when we catch some good stuff.

sorry, I just checked the chart and it looks like the smallest is 6-9.

maybe wait a week or so and tackle warehouse will have a memorial day sale. dobyns savvy (usually $159) for about $135 or so...or most of the rods they carry except shimano and maybe a few others, not sure.

nice fish Taylor...great job there Lee. Tim J

I'm with Bluebasser...fishing usually relieves my stress, allows me to either spend some fun times with my sons or friends OR some isolated alone time without walls. It can get my competitive side in play OR I can drop worms into a bunch of sunnies. I can work hard all day OR just relax and take what comes.

4" tube poorboys goby (jig, ds or c-rig)

took my new 702SF out for some smallies yesterday. caught a bunch of fish but nothing huge, so, my son picks up the rig and starts casting and nails a 6 lb+ sheepshead (drum). the first test has passed. used it with jerks and traps and it felt great. It's so light, unlike my older stuff. Can't wait for the bigger smallies.

2 yrs ago I was carrying around some poison ivy bush (didnt know) under the stuff I cut as a favor...in a t-shirt and shorts. major case of ivy. skip a week and still spreading so I used a baby trick: had to wear socks on my hands to keep from scratching and spreading while sleeping. its summer and Im wearing long sleeve t-shirt and pjs, socks on my hands and feet with pjs tucked into socks. major pita! Im getting itchy thinking about it. enough rambling...so I just wanted to mention the socks on hands. cut the spreading immediately. back to our normally scheduled thread.

yeah ok. I'll grab a plane out of Detroit and be there by 7...lol I would love to go Lee. hope you and whoever goes has fun. Kevin and I were out catching smallies on StClair today. nothing big but lots of 'em. Kevin tested out my new Savvy with a 6lb+ sheepshead (drum)...now the kid wants his own. I told him to save up...lol take care Tim