Captain Cali

Another good one! Check your PM...

I'll be fishing!!! 8-)

That is awesome! It sounds like you are fishing in California, not Florida! You would do really well with that technique out here.

I guess that was one of them. I think there was another about specific goals, like techniques and baits...not PB's. Hey...I met my goal!! TWICE!! 8-) Time to up the bar!!

Did anyone bookmark that thread? I think it was from late last year or early this year. It would be cool to revist that since the year is coming to an end. I can't seem to find it. Thanks!

I learned that you CAN catch big bass on small baits! There is a time and place for everything. I became more of a finesse angler this year. Less casts...more fish. Sounds good to me.

I too like the original Polo. Although my girlfriend thinks it makes me smell like an old man. > Hugo Boss is also good.

That's a pretty strong magnet dude! Be careful...

Last winter I waded up to my waist to get a Huddleston trout swimbait back. I once lost a crank to a fish. I grabbed the line to pull it out of the water and SNAP! The line broke a few inches from the knot (I had caught a few fish without a retie). About a week or two later I caught the same fish and it still had my crank stuck in it's lip.

Those are great words of wisdom!

I'd chuck 'em! For year round fishing, I'd go with the female bluegill. For spring and summer I'd go with the male. Are they both used? If so, then I would go with the one in better condition.

Yes, they did. That's why I wont use them anymore. Sure...I got back a few baits and was more confident chucking into snag prone areas. But what's the point if you have no confidence once a fish is hooked up?

Yeah. I was surprised at first because the drag was not clamped tight and the line and rod were within the recommended range.

Metal

I've tried them but don't use them anymore. They work great but I've had fish pull the hooks off. That usually happens when they jump.

ReelMech, They just told me to send the reel in. I'd rather take it in myself since it's just about an hour drive from me. I'm going to make the drive to Irvine on Monday. I will let you know what happens.

That is great news! Congrats!

Avid nailed it.

I'm sending the reel to Shimano. Their U.S. corporate office is about 55 miles from me so I'm taking it myself to their reel repair counter. Probably on Monday. Unfortunately, no, they can not refinish the reel. The guy on the phone didn't sound so sure though. I will ask again at the repair counter. I would like to know myself since my reel got scratched also.

Great year so far for me. I can't complain. Well...I guess more fishing would be nice! Still got 2 more months to go! 8-) The only goal I haven't met for the year is catching my first smallmouth. I haven't fished any water with smallies though. I gotta make some longer trips if I want one.

I started fishing in the mid 80's with my dad. We used to fish nothing but saltwater and it wasn't really for sport. It was more to get away from everyday life and catch some food in the process. I was more into dissecting anchovies and sardines at the time. We stopped going after he sold his boat and I didn't fish for about 15 years after that. Well...I did, but only a handful of times. Nothing serious. One day in June of 2005 a friend and I decided to go fishing. We really had no clue what we were doing but it was fun. We were after anything that would bite, which wasn't much. Very soon after I got hooked on bass before I even caught one. I think I read an article about Bob Crupi and Castaic which really opened my eyes. Castaic is my "home" lake so that was the kicker. Then I started looking for any information I could find about largemouth bass and I stumbled across this wonderful site. Since then, it has been like a crash course in bass fishing. With BassResource.com and the time I was putting in, I learned real fast. Still have a lot to learn but that will never change. Those early days gave me a taste of fishing and it was great quality time with my dad. But BassResource.com has made me the angler I am right now.

Raul, You got it! I haven't called them yet, been busy. I'll try before the end of today. If not, first thing tomorrow morning.

Good sayings to live by. From now on the only way I will let someone use my good stuff is if I'm there with 'em. At least then I can see what is happening. I'm calling Shimano in about an hour. I wil keep you guys posted.

Nope. I fish as much as 5 times per week. But so far I've only gone fishing once in October! :'(

Thanks guys. I'll place a call to Shimano today. My buddy is being really cool about it. He knows how much I baby the reel and since he liked the reel so much he even offered to buy it if I wanted to sell it to him. We'll see... KU...I believe he truely slipped. I know where he was fishing and it gets hairy. Smooth rock face with a bunch of small rocks/gravel and sand. I've taken a spill there myself a few times. I know what you're thinking dude!