lmoore

Well....based on the thread title, I'd run spellcheck on it, followed by a good proofread. Not trying to make fun of you, just an honest warning. This forum eats spelling errors alive. What format do you have it in?

That was the most interesting part to me. I always had that belief that bass, whether it be smallies or largemouth, wouldn't move far throughout the year. Especially not 10-20 or even 30-50 miles as in the study you reference.

My post should not be confused with legitimate advice Other guys who know a lot more about catfishing than I do had some good advice.

http://www.northstarbaits.com/home.html They make them at a reasonable price.

I believe it originated with Ike on his City Limits show It likely did originate with trout, like J Francho explained. Bass areusually more opportunistic feeders. Lot's of times, even in clear water, you could probably get a few to bite on a bright chartreuse brush hawg if you tried. It doesn't necessarily match the specific forage they're eating, but there's probably a few bass around who won't be able to pass up an easy meal. Still, IMO, you increase your potential for catches immensely if you match your bait to the forage at that time and location. I italicized location because that's also important. It doesn't do any good to throw a crayfish-type bait in the brush if most of the bass are feeding on schools of shad in the flats. It's important to match both factors to compltely maximize your day on the water. I could keep going but it feels like I'm starting to ramble

Aaron Maertens called it. I saw a video where he said he bought a couple, but didn't plan on using them because they would be banned by next season. Several posters here did too, I just never saw you guys in a youtube video

Oddly enough, the only line he specifically mentions is Berkley Big Game....his backing. lol I actually was aware of mono sinking. I'm basically a mono and flouro guy, and I thought I was slightly ahead of the curve on my knowledge of line properties (guess not ). To me, it seems to sink a little slower than flouro (might be one of those things you mentioned on feelings vs. actuality), but I sometimes specifically use one or the other to try and spped up/slow down the fall ate of weightless soft plastics.

Actually, the reason I made my original reply to this thread is because I was reading an article by Bobby Lane on why he uses braid for flipping, and one of the things mentioned in the article is that braid sinks. I don't ever use braid on topwater, except for frogs, but they are in weeds and pads anyway so no line would ever have a chance to sink. When braid is underwater (flipping/pitching) it will sink, but perhaps thats because it takes on water. I'm not sure I get your comparison to flourocarbon, but to your identification of braid...braid consists of strands of high density spectra/polyethelene/dyneema. The high density is how they get such good strength out of it, while keeping low diameters. That's why I never questioned the thought of it sinking. If I was wrong with that, then I was wrong, but at least this time I have good company http://www.bassedge.com/pages/show/Bobby_Lane_talks_braided_line (This is the article I was reading, to prove I'm not crazy. LOL)

What makes you thnik braid floats?

The heavier braid, the worse actioin you'll get from topwaters. Braid sinks, so it puts downward pressure on the front of your bait. Mono would be "ideal" for topwaters because it floats and (as mentioned) actually puts very small upward force on the front of the bait, which allows it to glide along the water better. Mono also has the advantage of stretch, which can help keep from losing fish when using treble hooks. If you are more confident in briad, use the smallest diamter you feel comfortable using to negate the effects of the weight of the line.

Throw a topwater through the area they're busting, or fish a soft plastic swimbait. Personal favorite is a weightless T-rigged fluke. Cast right into the baitfish, twich it once or twice, and let it fall right in the middle of them. Attempts to imitate a stunned baitfish that got caught up in all of the commotion. Most important lesson, match the hatch. Don't throw a crayfish imitation into the brush if the bass are feeding on baitfish in open water.

When the first words out of the winners mouth are "The cold front really shut the fish down..." and he finishes with 30 lb 6 oz, you know it's a pretty good fishery.

Maybe you're already aware, but there's a BFL Michigan division. Pretty similiar to the Weekend Series, but put on by FLW. http://www.flwoutdoors.com/bassfishing/bfl/tournament/2012/6791/st-clair-details/

Win the FWC and things should get easier

Never had that particular problem. I used to have a couple of Diawas that occasionally wouldn't disengage when I cast them and started reeling. That caused a "geary" sound sometime. First, I would contact Shimano, as mentioned above. They'll probably replace it. If you end up trying to do anything yourself, I'd take it apart and make sure everything has lube so it can operate smoothly. After that, it might take a full disassembly to see if all of the parts are there and in the proper place (probably going to take an hour or 2).

If I only have one rod rigged for plastics, I use a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG and never change, unless I switch to a really small bait that won't fit n the hook. I'm sure there are times when it would be beneficial to downsize hooks, but fishing the Mississippi and the generally murky water, I don't feel like using larger hooks effets my catches, and I save time by not switching.

Hey guys, This is a study done by the DNR on the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Pretty long but really interesting if you need something to pass the time. http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/montrose/mississippiriversmbtelemetry.pdf

That's no good. And yes, and extra heavy rod should have enough backbone to stick the magical point of a Trokar. LOL I'll have to keep an eye on fish I catch the season on Trokars and see if that occurs.

Hmm...interesting observation with the flexing. I hadn't ever noticed that when I used them, but I probably wasn't looking that closely. Was it a 5/0 hook? Part of the selling point of the Trokar hooks is the "unique tempering process" that's supposed to make the hooks stronger. I guess flexing is better than breaking, but I want a solid hook when I'm fishing for money.

You do get better hooksets with a straight-shank hook such as the Trokar Flippin hook. I still often use a 5/0 EWG when I punch, but I've started using a flippin hook more and more. Get it on straight (ish) and take a toothpick and run it through the bait and the hook eye. It helps keep the bait set so you don't have to redo it after every big fish. Otherwise, if you feel more comfortable with an EWG, just keep practicing with that and you'll get the hang of it. I wasn't referring to yours at all. Hitting the egde of the mats can be and is more effective at times, but having the ability to go back into the thick stuff gives you the leg up on those who can't. That's all I meant.

You'll get the hang of it. Just by adding punching to your repetoire, you're way ahead of most people. A lot easier (potentially) to catch fish if you don't have to try and make them leave the mats to hit a spinnerbait/jig/crank fished on the outside edge.

Side note, there should be thinner areas in the mat. Punch those. The bait will get through easier, and the transition form the thick, heavy mat to a thinner mat is a transition that will often hold fish.

Wow, you really do have a lot thicker mats there if a 1.5 gets stuck. Are you sure there's water underneath?

It depends how far away the nearest tree is and how much line I have on my reel. Use a brush jig (flipping jig) and get a larger size. I use 3/4 oz for punching. Your mats down there might get thicker to the point you need a 1 oz or even bigger. They also make special skirts for punching which are more streamlined. Google flipping jig, brush jig, and punch skirt and you should find some options.

Host a Bass tournament on the pond and throw something you wouldn't think of as catfish bait. I hooked a nice flathead last year on a Craw Fatty, a Channel Cat on a tube, and had a partner catch a nice channel on a squarebill. Otherwise, use a treble hook, chicken liver, and patience.