Mike L

Just take care of yourself and don’t push it, while taking as many precautions as you can not to infect anyone else. I wish you the best. Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

In my opinion anything that would fall in front of them they’ll hit, if it resembles forage or not. It’s a pure reaction strike. One time after missing a frog I picked up what I thought was my normal follow up bait but grabbed a rod with a jerk bait. I hesitated thinking about changing real quick but threw it anyway, she hit before I could engage the reel. Mike

No there really isn’t, still pi..’s me off!! Mike

Yep! I tried logging out then back in, shut off Wi-Fi turned on data, used both at the same time, and it’s still taking an inordinate amount of time to load. Mike

Oh Yeah!! Always have a follow up ready to go! Can’t say it was only because you threw a Senko back at her, but ya gotta throw something and quick!! Mike

Wow that’s too bad! Its happened to me a time or too but I learned the hard way.. Since as a co angler we stand on the boxes I always make it a point now to check that switch is still on, listen for the pump or take a peek inside every time we move. Mike

No IF I use one it’s always T rigged regardless of temperature. Wacky is just one certain type of presentation, but being T rigged an angler can do more with it to illicit a strike. Mike

Yes it is.. The more success we have with a particular bait the more we keep coming back to it. No one particular thing is the be all end all for every body of water in every condition. That’s where discipline and experience should take over. I use the Magnum 90% of the time and what I posted is what and how I use it, but there are times that down sizing is the best choice. The standard size Speed Worm and sometimes a Rage Cut R is my choice in post frontal conditions down here. Then everything changes…line size, hook, weight etc. Try not to give on it. I believe in the end, confidence in what you’re throwing at any given time will put more fish in the boat than anything you tie on. Mike

Curado 200 E7 Mike

Nothing really equipment or lures related but what I’m gonna try to do differently is to fine tune my discipline and time management “skills”. I’ve been doin this a long time. After competing in Regional and National Circuits you’d think that I’d have all that down pat especially when money and sponsorships are on the line. I have a tendency to become overly impatient when working an area or a particular spot. Down here every where you look you’d swear would hold a fish, but sometimes the run and gun, power fisherman in me takes over where focus and discipline should be primary. Mike

Pete Its a year round plastic fir me regardless of the water temp, which is the same most times as yours. The most effective way fir me is swimming with a consistent steady retrieve killing it every 10ft or so in fairly open water over submerged vegetation. When throwing on top through a pad field, open holes in heavy or moderate vegetation, or over submerged structure I throw weightless. It’s also my follow up bait of choice when the fish just swipe at a frog without really committing. The thing about using it as a follow up for a missed frog is I always burn it on top after casting a ways past the miss. If they don’t hit it when reaching that spot, I’ll bring it past a little bit and kill it then. If she didn’t leave the area entirely it’ll get crushed so be ready. I use a 5/0 Trokar TK 120 ewg hook with a 3/16 on 40# braid A keel weighted screw in hook will work sometimes also but I prefer a nose dive as opposed to a horizontal fall when killing it. Good Luck Mike

Sorry about that!! Just take care of each other…It’s no joke Mike

That’s your heart talking to you. Mike

The best decision is the one your heart tell’s you it is. Best of everything which ever way you go. Mike

Every time a new or not well known knot comes along it’s touted as the “strongest” I’m well past the experimenting stage. Palomar or SDJ is good enough for me. Mike

Nah, You’ll get it just use the best equipment you can afford and take the time to learn with it. Mike

@A-Jay We had a Husky named Boo fir about 6 yrs when the kids were little. He looked almost identical to Tucker. His blue eyes cut right though me. After we lost him we decided it would be too tough to get another, because there wouldn’t be another like him. Over the years we’ve had 4 Great Danes from a 90 lb female to a 140 lb male and I swear none of the 4 were as strong as our Boo! Point is….I get it Again, So sorry Mike

Everyone has their own thoughts about what hook manufacturer, size and style they like for what they’re doin. For me there is no one size fits all. I tend to use a larger sized hook than most on all plastics. Case in point… A majority of folks on here use a 3/0 for a Senko, others may use a 4/0 for punching etc. Point is if you’re gonna err on what size hook to use, for me larger is always better. Mike

Ditto and Ditto Again!! Do it however you like, but if the goal is to land the fish you gotta get it’s head up and moving towards you, preferably in one fluid motion exactly as @Catt said. If you lay off as @T-Billy mentioned you can get your heart broke. Losing a fish on the hook set is either because of using the wrong equipment for conditions, or an angler saw a video or read a book. In my opinion, You do what you’re there to do…..Hit her hard, turn her head and bring her up and out. Mike

Sorry to hear this!! We’ve gone though it a few times over years and it’s never easy and the love never goes away. Mike

Excellent! Mike

Using the rod itself to pull the fish out of the water. It can be especially dangerous when standing in a boat as the angle changes to straight up and over the gunnel as opposed to dragging a fish out when fishing from shore. Mike

That’s sad. A legend for sure! Mike

Beautiful! Now that’s the way to do it! Thanks for posting Mike