JoePhish

Just bought my first PQ because I have had such a positive experience with my PQ Tournament. With the trade in on top of the sale price this was what I feel was a steal on a reel that is considered the best bang for your buck when it's full priced. Bought the 5.2:1 lefty mostly for cranking but also as a means to slow myself down. Tried it out for the first time yesterday. It didn't take me long to dial it in while I threw everything from weightless soft plastics to heavy cranks. Since we're talking BPS reels, I wanted to know what kind of lube should go in the lube port; grease, oil or something else?

Every puddle of water has bass in it around here. Every canal or pond holds fish. Don't be scared to fish those ponds behind stores either. If you want a nice park setting you can try Okeeheelee Park. If I recall, there's plenty of fishable shoreline there.

Weightless: Fat Ika Texas Rigged: Sweet Beaver Rage Rigged: Smoking Rooster and Space Monkey.

Spring seems to already have sprung down here. Seen some beds already. I've been yanking up some fatties methodically working weedlines with Sweet Beavers pegged on a 5/0 Trokar Flippin hook with glass bead and 1/4 tungsten bullet weight.

Picked up a few packs of Zeros last time I was at BPS. A PB&J Zero on a ballhead jig was my go to for awhile there.

That traffic trend has crept it's way up here. However, for most of the year it's very peaceful in north Palm Beach Co. The variety of fishing in the area is astonishing, freshwater, inshore, offshore, surf, pier, etc.

Now there are reports out there that the Swine Flu vaccine is connected to narcolepsy. http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/nm/insight-evidence-grows-for-narcolepsy-link-to-gsk-swine-flu-shot Personally, I prefer not to have the shot. Show me a drug that doesn't have a side effect beyond it's intended purpose and I'll show you a glass of water.

Cane Toads in Black as well as in Green Pumpkin Swirl. Ezs and Big Ezs in Copperfield.

With me it's always been something to do with sharks. Maybe these aren't the wildest tales but they have stuck in my head. As a kid I was surf fishing in New Smyrna Beach, FL, thigh deep in the water reeling in a Whiting when I noticed a dark shape following my catch. I stopped reeling and started running. While fishing a brackish water pond I witnessed a Bull Shark make a meal of a seasgull. It crashed the surface then I watched as a fin raced across the pond until it disappeared under the water. Caught me a little off guard. I've had a Spinner Shark leap out of the water about 50 ft from the boat I was on. It wasn't a big boat and we were just cruising, not yet fishing.

Sometimes the best part of a day fishing has nothing to do with fish. Great shots.

Creative efforts, none the less, these are mostly photoshopped pictures. I know the one with the wave crashing over the Statue of Liberty was from the movie "The Day After Tomorrow". (Plus there is no News 1 in NY). The one in the subway I find the funniest. It shows crystal clear aquarium quality water with the overhead lights still functioning. A flooded NYC subway would probably be closer to pitch black when considering the lack of light and the usual color of the waters surrounding Manhattan Island. The shark photos were proven to be photoshopped as well. However, some real sharks did show up after the hurricane.They work for the insurance companies.

I don't break out a comprehensive arsenal when bank fishing. The more gear I put down on the ground is more gear I can accidently lose or leave behind. I try to keep it simple and more importantly, light weight. This is what I use. Not sure if they still make it. http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLW-outdoors-Tackle-bag-3-trays-36-compoartments-cheap-freight-handy-case-/121045915635?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2ee617f3&nma=true&si=wjFbn%2BH8QTl4avvae5IKhK4U2nU%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 I only use one of the boxes for hard baits. I use the a second pocket for packs of soft plastics and the third sleeve for my scale. leader, stank and a smaller tray for hooks, weights and other assorted terminal tackle. If I need more room I always have my cargo shorts pockets. The only drawback of this bag is that the strap is not padded. A fluffy towel remedies this.

The setup I use the most for cranks usually has either 12lb Suffix Elite Mono or 12lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid on it.

I'm a fan of putting some "stank" on my baits. I have used Carolina Lunker Sauce in the Crawlic sent (flavor?) for years. Some time ago I got a tube of Megastrike. I've had success with both. I like the CLS because it stinks to high heaven and is easily dispensed. However, I've found that the sent of Megastrike stays with the bait longer. Megastrike also has a lubricating quality that helps baits slide through cover. I have had some instances where MS might have been too slick causing skirts, rattles, eyes and keeper barb collars to slide off. Could be the baits and hooks but just to be safe I've invested in a bigger tube of fishing glue.

What I use in the back of the boat: - 7' MH, baitcaster, 30lb braid (I tie on appropriate leaders if needed) - Jigs, T-Rig plastics, Spinner and Chatter baits, Frogs and heavy Deep Diving Cranks. - 6'6 MH baitcaster, 20-30 lb braid - Jigs, T-Rigs, heavy Lipless Cranks - 7' Med, baitcaster, 12-14 lb Mono or 12-15 lb Yozuri Hybrid - Cranks (lipless, shallow to light weight deep divers), light spinner and chatter baits - 7' MH, Spinning, 12-15 lb Yozuri Hybrid, Plastics (C-Rigged, light T-Rigged and Weightless) Topwaters, Jerkbaits, light Cranks, Shakey Head - 6'8 M, Spinning, 10-12 lb Flurocarbon - Weightless Plastics, Shakey Head, Drop Shot, light Jerks, Ultra-light cranks Regarding Snaps; I usually buy Boone. I find them in the saltwater section of my local Gander. Not only are they a bit stronger but they cost less per snap than those found in the freshwater section. I use them for most of my cranks though I prefer to tie directly to the split ring with most Jerkbaits and opt for a Loop knot on most top water lures.

- When you go golfing and you hit the ball in or near the water just so you can get a better look at the "aquatic elements" of the course - When you go golfing the next time you do the same thing but pull out a telescope rod just to make a few casts. - Then the next time you go golfing you decide to go fishing instead. - When you tell the real estate agent that you need to fish the local ponds before you can give her an answer. - When you spend a rainy Saturday afternoon at Gander Mountain giving fishing advice and sales help to the snowbirds and tourists for no reason other than you were bored. - You get depressed when you're on a tropical cruise because you can't throw out a trolling line. - When you pass up morning sex for the early bite. - When BassResource.com is your home page.

I think a lot of us wouldn't mind if Shimano Claus paid us a visit this year.

I'm ignorant when it comes to all fishing electronics. Since I don't own a boat this never really comes into play. I can use some work at skipping baits. This is what I'll work on in the upcoming year. If you asked me a year ago what bass fishing presentation was my weakness I would have said Hard Jerk Baits. In salt water I have caught countless fish of different species this way. In fresh water, not so much. However, thanks to some advice here, I've down sized my fresh water jerk baits and have been productive since that change. Now I don't feel like I have a weakness with any baits I regularly would use. I feel confident with any bait I pull out of my box. However, if I expand into the world of large swim baits (over 1oz) or A-Rigs I would then consider these weaknesses.

While in the Keys this week I hit up a yard sale. I picked up a St. Croix casting rod that needed it's tip replaced. It's a 7 ft Triumph Extra Heavy with Fast Action with recommended line sizes of 36-80 lb test and lure sizes 3-8 oz. Later I looked it up on line and found I got a steal of a deal on it. I also found out that it is a Musky rod. One problem: I live in South Florida, miles away from the nearest Musky. So now I have several questions about this rod for all of you. First, has anyone ever used this rod and what is your opinion on it? Can this rod be useful for bass fishing? If not, do you think it would make a better salt water rod? What reel would you pair with it (without breaking the bank)? Also, line recommendations are welcome. The little voice in my head keeps whispering to me that I got a deal on a rod I'll never use. What do you guys think?

That X-Rap keeps popping up in your photos. Might have to get me one in that color.

Nuclear Pumpkin, Nuclear Pumpkin Salad or Nuclear Pumpkin Salsa

I have some friends on the South Shore whose neighborhoods already look like Venice, Italy. Oddly, some of these same friends poked me with "good luck with the hurricanes" comments when I moved to Florida. Mother Nature will try to screw with you no matter where you live. Be safe and smart all.

Sandy or light colored creek floor?

I use the Strike King bluegill swim jig. I trail it with the back end of a swimsenko in black or watermelon-gold-black (323)

The best money I ever spent was the $35 adoption fee for my Lab-Hound mix (rest her furry soul). Worst money spent was the down payment on my wedding that I cancelled a few weeks before it occured. However, that wedding was the best thing I never did. Oh, and for the record, I've caught a ton of fish using the Banjo Minnow.