frogflogger

Thanks everyone I just ordered a piece aluminum and will make an adaptor plate and hope it works. There was no using the existing holes without an adaptor plate. I am always reluctant to drill any holes in a boat that aren't needed; I may yet have to but am going to try this first.

I have these in h and xh all I need for my swimbaits - for the s wavers and others of that ilk I use a Rick Clunn crankbait rod that was cheap enough and maligned by many but it will send an s waver a mile without helicoptering.

I am putting a minn kota terrova 55#12v on my 17.5 tracker. I don't want to drill new holes in my boat deck and was going to have a transition bracket custom made but wondered if there is an after market bracket for my problem. thank you for any ideas

When I guided in the everglades we often saw guys in little jon boats throwing chuggers and poppers without rods - the line wrapped on a "yoyo" or bottle. They were very accomplished fishermen fishing for the table. In the 50's we threw 1/8oz with old free spool tournament reels filled with 9# silk - and very flexible sila flex glass rods.

Yep I try to give them little or no movement - the shaky hands of an old man is all the action needed. This has been effective for me into the high 30's. The zman stuff floats up and moves no matter what.

For myself it was always shallow in very muddy water. The deeper you go the thicker the suspended solids that make it muddy.

Fish when you can - dress for the day and fish - terrible weather is big fish weather.

Wow - I paid $16.95 for mine. It's a good informative book but over $100 they need to come out with a reissue or something. The knowledge in is around in pieces in magazine articles but the shape of lures that bass prefer confirmed what we had learned from fishing the beetle and then the ned rig. Excuse the disjointed entry above - the over $100 had me choking on my coffee.

Have an extensive library but Lucas on bass fishing still has (for me) some good points on behavior of anglers. bill Murphys book very helpful, Buck Perry's, usually glean something from them - the most interesting has been Knowing Bass which is based on science and shows why the Ned Rig is so successful.

of course a frog!

For myself - fiberglass rod

I spend a few days every summer taking young kids fishing, far and away the ned rig is the best chance for a first fish - first bass - first trout - crappie - sunfish. Depending on the water I have them go from 1/32 with small finesse worm to 1/8 with 1/2 stick worm. It is ideal technique to develop a sense of feel and give confidence and it is viable in rivers, creeks, ponds and lakes.

Haven't bought a strike king lure for years - try to use small company lures.

split rings can help - great lure doesn't get a lot of press these days - Have a friend that trolls them over flats and has several over 6 - you never know what will work until you try it.

They are bass - they are tough - they thrive in all kinds of environments - bass fishermen - they are tough - they thrive in all kinds of environments and want to see their favorite in every patch of water possible - they stock whether or not the gov't does.

Throw a topwater

I've not bought any baits because of what I read here - I know there is a big rage bug or something fan base here and other strike king stuff but I try and stay away from the conglomerate baits as much as possible. I've never found it a liability to fish baits that are somewhat off the current popular must haves. But the dredger series has got me using one big co's baits. -

I learned on a Bronson Green hornet and a Langley Lurecast - all of todays reels cast beautifully to me.

If it doesn't have two pockets with flaps it isn't a fishing shirt for me.

short arm colorado bladed spinnerbaits and dark jigs with bulky trailer and strangely enough small plastic ned-type baits in white have all been effective for me in chocolate water

boing, spook, sammy, vixen, etc. all good baits and most times equally effective - each has a bit different move that may make a difference at times but the guy manipulating the lure is the most important element here.

spinning rod quite often - baitcasters not so much

I spent over a $1000 on USA made reels (Ardent 1000's) never regretted it - just wished they had stayed the course and upped the quality. The reality is the US is now a service based economy and it is much smaller world than we grew up in -

Here's my take - whatever you have tied on fish fast , if nothing shows start slowing down and or playing with erratic retrieves - I've caught some big bass zipping a senko across the tops of lily pads - but 99% of the time I will just let them fall and do their thing. It's bass fishing - the critters will let you know- just keep trying and don't be afraid to try crazy retrieves.

Once I tried the dredgers I sold 14 other deep divers - seems with Fritts help Berkley hit a home run for me.