fishermantony

I recently bought a Shimano Crucial swimbait rod for $150 from TW. I haven't used this rod yet because I have been away but I own another Crucial rod and it has been extremely durable! It was my first baitcasting rod and along with lots of bass I've also caught quite a few tiger musky with it.

I'm in Eastern Wa and the first thing I plan to through when I get home in about a week is a 12" worm, shortly after that I'll be throwing a 8" Hard Swimbait. I agree that both these baits will also catch smaller fish, but I believe if I want to entice the biggest bass in my lakes I'll have a good shot with these big baits.

Congrats! You must feel great!

Spinnerbait. You can fish it shallow or deep, fast or slow. It can be used the same as a jig............with earrings as has been said.

I saw Alton Jones do a Classic Patterns (I believe) on this exact technique you are talking about. Something that I haven't tried but definitely will.

I've seen that, too. I have considered sharpening the hook on a scale so I could easily hook a fish like that, but it's too gruesome and I don't want to do it. From the underside, I carefully put the hook between the lower gill rake and the jaw in order to weigh the fish. This way, the hook is supporting the fishes weight on it's jaw, and no damage is done to the fish. Thanks!

Watching Charlie lose those fish was just painful. Going in he had kind of a fatalistic attitude IMO that played itself out over the course of the day. There were a lot of people, including many of the pros who were pulling for him. It was a shame he could not pull off the win. I like him. I read his "Bass Wars" blog on Bassmaster and always look for his name in the standings. By fatalistic do you mean a lack of confidence in himself going into that second day, feeling like he just didn't belong at the top? I know he mentioned the "disappearing Charlie" nickname his wife gave him for bringing in a big bag on the first day and not following through after that. I'm rooting for him to stay qualified for the Elite Series and Classic and pulling off a win soon! Yes that is exactly what I mean. I am not one of those guys that believe by saying, "I'm going to be rich, good looking, and healthy," makes it so. I do believe Charlie had some serious doubts about being able to close the deal, and those doubts effected his attitude and performance. I am also a fan and wish him well. I think Charlie 's story is a good example of why it's important to maintain an even keel when you lose a fish or something goes wrong. Watch KVD when he loses a fish. He May grumble a bit, but he never loses focus and his lure is immediately back in the water. Very well said, thanks for sharing. BTW I'm from Illinois originally, right outside of Chicago. Take Care, hope to chat again soon.

Glad this has been posted because a question has been on my mind that I have been a little embarrassed to ask. I have a Berkley TEC (hook style scale) and have been wondering where the best place on the fish is to hook it and weigh. I watched a fishing show, I think it was UMF and they were poking a hole right through the lower lip to weigh the fish. When I tried this the lower lip area was so hard and tough to break through I didn't like it. I mostly weight from underneath the gills but I know that area is very fragile and easy to damage. because of these things I think I'm going to buy a scale similar to the one RW posted.

I have both and I believe the Curado is just the better reel, like someone else has already stated, just made with higher quality components.

My favorite spinnerbait trailer is a Mister Twister G grub, it has great action and I think it will work great for a jig too.

Watching Charlie lose those fish was just painful. Going in he had kind of a fatalistic attitude IMO that played itself out over the course of the day. There were a lot of people, including many of the pros who were pulling for him. It was a shame he could not pull off the win. I like him. I read his "Bass Wars" blog on Bassmaster and always look for his name in the standings. By fatalistic do you mean a lack of confidence in himself going into that second day, feeling like he just didn't belong at the top? I know he mentioned the "disappearing Charlie" nickname his wife gave him for bringing in a big bag on the first day and not following through after that. I'm rooting for him to stay qualified for the Elite Series and Classic and pulling off a win soon!

One of the most agonizing videos to watch is day 2 of the 2008 Bass Master Classic. Charlie Hartley led after the first day and on day 2 he hooked into and lost 2 REAL good fish while fishing docks. His reaction after the first one hurts to watch, he keels over like he got punched in the stomach, it was so genuine, I couldn't even imagine losing one like that on that stage. I believe what some others have said, shake it off and keep fishing, haven't seen anyone do it better than KVD, he is so focused. There's many more to come for you, just keep casting, it's part of the game.

"There goes one."

Gorgeous fish!

Use the discouragement and change it into focus and preserverence. I'm determined to become proficient with every technique I try and won't quit until I do. Getting skunked will just make me focus and study harder. If I fish 10 hours without a bite, I'll take a deep breath and cast again. I have a quick temper and can be a bit of a sore loser but I am learning there is really no room for this kind of behavior if you want to improve and compete. Just channel it into focus. There won't be a better feeling than when you start killing them.

You don't love or respect the sport or the fish if you can do something like this and IMO he never did, glad he got caught. He should be denied a fishing license in all 50 states for life.

Great fish, great pic, great job! Congrats! I keep hearing about these cordell lipless cranks, you have officially pushed me to add some to my tackle box!

I'm exited about cranking wiggle warts for fall smallmouth pretty soon! Was just curious to hear how they have done for any of you guys and any suggestions you may have for me. Thanks!

He is the man. We are fortunate to have him in this sport, he's got everything. Possibly the fiercest competitor bass fishing has ever seen, up there at the top of the list of fiercest competitors in all sports. Man has got all my respect.

6 top five finishes and 2 wins during the regular season and he may not win AOY, wow! Has to be alot of pressure on Skeet, hope he pulls it off.

Beautiful! I'm so exited to take my wife and two boys (5 yrs and 10 months) out when I get home.

Castaic Rock Hard Rainbow Trout 10" swimbait and a 5 pack of Basstrix Fat minnows in Perch. or 2 packs each of Strike King Rage Hawg, Smokin Rooster, Space Monkey and Perfect Palstic Rodent.

KVD won the classic with it. Seems to be noticeable differences in the retrieve of different lipless cranks and the strike king has been my favorite so far.

I've probably caught more fish and more species with a Panther Martin than any other lure. I plan on making it a part of my smallmouth arsenal as long as I fish. Actually caught a 6lb+ largemouth on one about 11 years ago in a golf course pond in Illinois too. Ike did an article on them in Bassmaster some months back, how it is a bait that produces so well but is mostly overlooked.

Yes, I would say strong winds have been the toughest element I have had to fish through. Sometimes has even made me regret only getting a 55# thrust minnkota.