Captain Cali

Let me start by saying never again will I let anyone borrow my best gear. A friend of mine wanted to try out a Chronarch 50/51 Mg before buying one so I let him borrow mine. BIG MISTAKE!! First of all...the reel came back scratched. That doesn't bother me too much but the weird noise it's now making does. It's making a clicking sound when I reel in. Sounds like metal on metal! I can feel it transmitting into the handle. I asked my friend what happened and he told me that he slipped on some gravel and landed on his butt. The reel was dropped in the process. Any ideas what could be wrong? The good thing is he was upfront about it and is willing to help pay for any repairs. The reel is still under warranty. Will Shimano cover it?

You can do it. I've tried with live Threadfin Shad but always switch back to fly lining 'em. I feel more confident when the bait is able to swim freely. Dead shad has worked great on a drop shot though.

I would really like to see Bob Crupi make a comeback. He was so close and everything was legit.

Tackle Warehouse. They carry the DW Beavers and ship fast.

That is a chunky bass alright! Congrats to you guys! 8-)

Nice chunk! Keep after 'em! 8-)

I don't have a steady fishing partner. I do fish with my good friend, Kevin, the most. We fished together a lot during the summer. I'd say 60% of my fishing this summer was done with him. He is really not into it the way I am though. He wont go through the sames things I will to catch fish. He is a great stick but isn't as dedicated. Great company and we do team up pretty well considering our experience levels. He will usually try a pattern/technique that has been working and I try new things. If the old pattern is working, I switch. If I find something, he will switch. It works really well because we don't get stuck on the same techniques. I feel more confident trying new things that way.

That's the way to think! I hope it's one of you guys on the trip!

I learned...I learned real quick! Three things I never leave home without...camera, scale, and spare batteries.

I'm going to say no for 2007, but anything can happen. My money would be on a lake to the north of Dixon. A lake that doesn't get anywhere near the same kind of pressure as Dixon. Russ, There are Cubans that believe the world record is there. Samual Yera to name one. He was featured in the last chapter of "Sowbelly" (Chapter 9: Castro's Bass) . He is a fishing guide, world record chaser, and according to the book he maybe the best fisherman in Cuba. Obviously...there is no "Swimbait Battallion" in Cuba like in Cali. And even if there was...they don't have access to equipment like us. If I want something I make a few calls, drive a few miles, or make a few clicks on the computer. If they want something...well...I think you know how that goes.

My best "streak" would have to be from this past August. Two trophy bass in 15 days. And a few 4-6 pounders thrown in there for fun.

Great pics everyone! Thanks guys. I am really happy with the picture, especially because I was solo. I guess taking solo pics of all the 2 and 3 pounders was for a reason. Practice! All I could think about the rest of that night was the picture. It turned out better than I could have asked for. Man...I can still remember reaching down to lip that beast. Total shock! The picture my buddy took of the 10.5 I caught 15 days later was a big disappointment though. Same camera... I took this pic... A friend took this...

1980 Chevrolet Silverado (regular cab, long bed) 2WD 350ci Got it for $2500.

I fished with a Premier all summer and it was great. I'd buy another in a heart beat.

11 pounds on a Shimano spring scale.

Nice! You got my blood pumping now! 8-)

Sweet! Great to have ya back!

So is a Smallmouth Bass a "Bass"? Or are they also a member of the Sunfish family?

senile1, Motorcycles scare me! Love watching motocross but good luck getting me to do what they do. I've hit the water going 60+mph and it can hurt. I couldn't imagine doing it on dirt! The only bikes I ride have pedals! ;D

Yeah. From what I understand it's just a crappie light. LOL, CRAPPIE LIGHT!

Low_Budget_Hookers made a joke a while back that I should change my name to Captain Cali since I would always stand up for Cali when others would bash it (for whatever reason, mainly "bass food"). I think this was around the time Weakley caught the 25.1 and stuff was flying all over the place. Stuff I didn't really like to hear or read even though most of it was in good fun. I got caught up in it good too. Speaking of...what ever happened to Rattletrap?? My original name, Roger310, doesn't really work anymore since 310 was my # when I raced PWC. Those days are long gone now. A PWC racer turned bass fisherman. Kind of ironic don't ya think?

I agree with everything Matt Fly said. It's all in the mind and if you have other things on your mind, whatever that may be, you will miss some. Plain and simple. I don't beleive in luck or the first cast jinx. Many people have told me I was lucky for sticking a 10+ on a dinky drop shot worm. But I know it wasn't luck because 1) I had a pattern, 2) I landed the fish, and 3) I did it again 15 days later on lighter line. How is that luck? It really came down to time on the water and fishing hard. While my buddies want to get drunk or whatever while fishing I don't and consistantly stick bigger fish. It comes down to mindset.

Sounds fun! I'll be weighing my options this week. Hopefully we can attack this place from the North, East, and West!

Guiness Draught by far! I don't drink to get drunk anymore so quantity means nothing. It's all about quality for me and Guiness is all about quality.

Dead Sticking has produced a lot of nice bass for me. I wouldn't say it's last resort. Sometimes thats what I start with (especially if I have a pattern). Dead Sticking a worm on a drop shot can be killer! Gives me chills just thinking abou it. Swimbaits too!