Mike L

I thought about him after reading a few threads awhile back that he would usually comment on. Sure hope everything is alright Mike

That my friend is not an easy thing to do! At a BFL Regional on Seminole one time, my boater tried to do it and lost his rod. If I wasn’t watching him at the time it would have been lost. After that we turned around. Mike

Well Said Mike

WOW! I hope everyone is ok?!! Really scary looking Mike

Ditto As I’ve said many times… I don’t Ned, Drop, Shake or Wack. I’ll drag, swim, hop, yo yo, change color, add or subtract flash, speed up or slow down before any of all that. Mike

90% of my fishing for the past 15 yrs has been as a co angler. I don’t own a boat and don’t intend to get one. I’ve been to so many places all over the SE that I’ve come to be familiar with a lot of lakes that I wouldn’t get to fish. The advantage is that most of the time I’m paired with a local who pretty much knows all the where’s, how’s, and when’s. Since I tend to fish mostly Florida tournaments the majority of the time now especially Big O, Kissimmee Chain and a few others, I’ve learned much more than I would have. Problem is a lot of guys who aren’t local but frequently fish the MLF and BASS Regionals know that and always ask. They know I won’t give someone else’s spots to another as they wouldn’t want me to give anyone theirs but they still try. I’ll give a wide general area, but never any more than that. Mike

To me braid is a “specialty” line fir certain presentations. I use it for only punching 80#, frogs 50# and some things on top 30#. Now when I want to throw say a cut tail type plastic over and through heavy vegetation, I’ll use my frog set up. Everything else is straight flouro from 12# to 20#. No leader for anything, ever. Mike

7’ mh/f Phenix M1 (it has a “soft tip”) ? Mike

Braid only for frogs, punching and some top waters. All others it’s all flouro all the time. Mike

Scott Yep, exactly right. That’s why I use it and the centering pin keeps it secured as its retrieved through even the nastiest stuff down here. I’ll change to a lighter one if I only want it to cut across submerged matted stuff. Also, the thing about the Duz It hook is not only the flash the blade gives it, but by moving it up and down the shaft, I can change how it falls when I kill it. That hook has gotten me more bigger sized bass from early spring to late fall than any other thing I throw. Either with the Big EZ (I don’t use the smaller size) or the Skinny Dipper. Mike

5/0 Owner keel weight w/ cps 6/0 Gambler Duz It with gold willow leaf. I’ll move it up or down depending on how I want it to fall. Mike

OP As you can see each rod for one specific presentation, to your question..jigs, is set up for different conditions with a different type of jig in different weights, trailers, line type, color and size. And yes, each rod could be different but not necessarily The advantage is that it’s more efficient Mike

No leaders ever Mike

Being a coach of anything for your kids is something neither of you will ever forget. Best of luck to you all. Mike

Yes it does matter and No, you’re not. The reason I only throw the 2 I mentioned is not only because of the size, but mostly because of the difference in action. The Skinny Dipper is just a tad smaller and has a tighter faster “wiggle” than the Big EZ. The Big EZ tends to have more of a wider thump type action. (see the segment and boot) The bass can differentiate between the two which is why those are all I need. Clarity and temperature will dictate which I start with, but will change without hesitation. Mike

For me I only use 2, with only one color in each and have for as long as I can remember. The standard sized Skinny Dipper in Houdini and a June Bug Big EZ. I let the fish tell me which they want and change when they let me know. Those are the only ones I need Mike

30 seconds in 1/2 time show I shut it off Mike

I wouldn’t Mike

Great Job!! Congratulations Mike

Bass Pro in Ft Myers as them in different sizes. You can order on line from Tackle Warehouse or other on line sellers. Mike

OP The thing about The Lake is that it’s so vast and can fish different from day to day it can get intimidating. The same things that effect the bite down here will effect the “ northern” lakes also, just not to the same degree at times. It’s been said under certain conditions it can generate its own weather. Its not a lake to take for granted even tho everywhere you look you’d swear it would hold fish. On a few recent threads I listed few areas with directions that are being proven producers this time of the year. The Kissimmee / Harris Chains, Headwaters, Rodman, Istopoka, Blue Cypress, Apotka, St Johns, Stick Marsh, St Johns, The Glades and others are all excellent fisheries. Any one of the those can produce a fish of a lifetime. I’m admittedly partial to Okeechobee because I’ve fished it for so long and often year round. @geo g @Dwight Hottle And @Captain Phil all gave you excellent advise and you’d be wise to heed their opinions. Good Luck and report back. Mike

The Johnson Century 100 spin casting reel. I have a 100A and 100B but would love to get my hands on the original patented in ‘58 Mike

Google Toyota Series. There’s a page that has what the top 10 boaters and co anglers used. Equipment and baits. Mike

There’s fish to be caught Top 10 boaters at the Toyota Series last week averaged a 3 day total of about 45 lbs each. That little warm up after a week of colder temp’s was like flipping a switch. Mike

We’ve been watching it too trying to figure it out. It seems a lot like Bocce Ball to me Mike