.ghoti.

My wife and I have an excellent agreement. I do not ask what she spends on clothes, shoes, etc. And she doesn't ask what I spend on fishing tackle. We're both happy about that. Having separate bank accounts is key to making this work.

So, is this what I should be using when online with my iPad?

Good to see you back, Brian. Hope all is well with you. The RoadTrip is just around the corner.

"crafty" eh? That would be one word for it.

I didn't pick up any bad habits from my folks. smokin, drinkin, cussin and fightin don't really count, do they?

Good bait craww. Somebody had them on sale last year, and I bought half a dozen. Found them to be good in clear water, outside weed edges. They are much more subtle in the water than I expected. Probably what makes them good for clearer water. They are not what you want for a long casting bait. Any jointed hardbait will catch the air and tumble if you you try to really torque out a long cast, and these are no exception.

Thanks for the link Quake. I fish Shelbyville occasionally. I may have to get a couple rigs and give "em a shot. This is what I like about Bass resource. Somebody always has an answer.

I use these. The double sided version. 10 bags per side. http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Finesse-Binder-Bags-or-Replacement-Pages/product/37109/45288 I have one that has senkos on one side and Ikas on the other. another with flukes on one side and tubes on the other another with straight tail worms on one side and curl tail worm in the other another with creature type baits in both sides another with big worms in both sides and one more I use as a day bag, with a little bit of everything

Like others have stated, it's all about keeping the knot out of the split. There's no other advantage, but that is a good enough reason to change. I also use them to "code" my cranks. We all know crankbaits are not created equal. Some just catch more fish than others. The best have a little extra "wander". When I find one of those special baits, it gets an oval split ring.

Been using GYCB hula grubs for quite a while. I've tried others, and always went back to GYCB. One of my go-to rigs is a 5" GYCB hula grub on an Evo Shaky2 jighead. I almost always have this tied on one rod ready to go. Try Overstock. They occasionally have GYCB baits. I scored a bunch of 5" and 6" hula grubs last year from them.

Cool. Which ones?

Welcome aboard Steve. Please include the following topic. After several years of observation, I've come to the conclusion that very few bass fishermen know how to play a fish. They set the hook, point the rod straight up, and crank as fast as they can. Absolutely the wrong way to go about it. Teach people how to use the power of the rod and the control of the drag to fight the fish. If not, somebody on this forum is going to have their heart broken. When that elusive 25 pound world record is on the end of the line, pointing the rod straight up and cranking like a man possessed is going to leave somebody crying.

100% DEAD WRONG.

Not legal in Illinois. This is not a new regulation.

I like Tyger Wire leader for fish with teeth. Never tried the Cortland version, but any of the tie-able wire leaders should work nicely. Had a Minnesota guy tell me to use flouro. It does not work, though I've never tried 65-100lb test, and in all likelihood, never will. Had a Canadian tell me to use braid. It does not work. Wire does work. I use 30lb Tyger Wire for all my muskie baits. All baits have about two feet of Tyger Wire tied to the bait with a swivel tied on the other end. When it's time to change baits I cut the braid off at the swivel and tie on a different bait. The wire and swivel stay attached to the baits.

Rage Tail Lobster GYCB Cut-Tail worm 6.5" Yum Houdini Shad

Hey Carl, where you been? Good to see you here again. Make sure you get there in time for the Saturday Night Wine & Cheese Soiree.

Good one, nitro!!!! I don't drink beer on the boat because I really don't need the extra "propellant".

No superstitions of any kind. Bananas are good food!

jerky, nuts, grapes, cherries, apples, bananas, string cheese, water. No beer. No sausages. No soda. No junk food.

ROFLMAO!!!!

I don't have many, and I don't worry about it. A couple of casts and a little dab of Megastrike, and the bad hair day is over.

It's tomorrow now. Where's the danged list?

If you want a "real" Loomis blank, take a look at North Fork Composites. Batson RX8 blanks are very highly regarded by the rod building community. St Croix blanks are also widely available.

This is an inside joke I should explain. Last year, on a trip to Trophy Country, I was slaving away in the kitchen, preparing a nice hot meal for everybody. Everybody said "man that smells good, what is it"? "A Thai curry dish", I replied. To which Long Mike, my buddy, replied, "did I mention I hate curry"? He said it twice. I was tempted to not serve him any.