Mike L

It doesn’t, Blue Cypress is it’s headwaters Mike

OP As stated earlier there is no need to “change your settings back and forth” when flipping or pitching after you set it where you like for normal casting. When flipping, the reel is not engaged so it doesn’t matter what setting you have. When pitching, you control the line release with your thumb after you disengage. If you have a centrifugal brake system and you have it turned way up just loosen the cast control knob a little. That’s all Mike

Just got my invitation to Marshal the MLF Pro Circuit on the Harris Chain Mar 13-16. Anyone else? Mike

I hate it! I hate it with a passion!! Yeah I know it happens, it happens to everyone one time or another, It happens to the best of us. Did I say I hate it!! Mike

Ahh Sorry to hear it. My family went through it a few times over the years and it’s never easy. Mike

And that goes for not only sports leagues which employs a fraction of this country’s workforce, but for every industry everywhere. Affirmative Action, hiring quotas, so called “over qualification” have kept the most qualified by experience, education and ability not being hired all for reasons they can’t control. Mike

I use keel weighted hooks only for paddle swim baits…Skinny Dippers and Big EZ When using flukes I like a nail weight either in the back for horizontal fall or in the nose as others have said fir more of a vertical one and used mostly as a jerk bait Mike

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The water is a little low now but stable and not much gusting winds. When launching out of Scott Driver on the north end the 2nd point to Tin House has been very productive lately especially on the far end. Also you can throw a Carolina Rig about 500 yards from the mouth of the river if you’re so inclined. All around Observation Island to Harney Pond can be great. If you find them there early you won’t want to leave. If you wanted to take a ride, come straight out of the river to the east side and fish 1/2 mile either side of the J&S lock. If it warms up by the end of the week it can be the best frog water on the lake. When launching on the south end, turn right out of the lock and you can fish the rip rap along the shore, or start carolina rigging about a mile down. Continue east to the north and east side of Ritta Island, there is low clean water all through there and has been really good, at least it was 2 days ago. Continue in the rim canal to the end and you’ll be in Pelican Bay. The water is a low but the bass have been reloading from mid morning to dusk. Beds all over. If you turn left out of the lock continue until you see a wide canal on your right, that’s Uncle Joes Cut. You can fish your way out turn left and into the Monkey Box. But be real careful if you go there the water may be to low to operate safely, especially with other areas holding fish I haven’t been there in a while. At the tournament last weekend my best results were on a white spinnerbait, June bug Chatter, Honey Candy Cut R, T rigged 6” stick bait and of course a june bug Magnum UV Speed Worm. My biggest fish came when punching. I use a June bug Sweet Beaver and went up to a 1 1/2 oz weight. Final tip… Don’t pass up any mat’s of blown over reeds or floating hyacinth. Best of Luck Mike I haven’t fished those lakes since last summer, but If you decide to head south and fish The Lake…see above. Good Luck Mike

Submerged grass can be a gold mine regardless of type. “Ticking” the tops with any type of vibration lure be it a trap, chatter/spinner, paddle tail swim baits or cut tail worm will call them to you. Also, this time of the year a prop bait of your choice is an excellent choice. A Cut R or UV Speed Worm ripped through it and then killing it for a few seconds and then ripping straight up is usually all you need. Mike

You ARE Da Man!! Mike

Dean Unfortunately I won’t be able to make it tomorrow. Please keep me on the list for next month. Mike

Its a good habit to have. Mike

Well then if your equipment is on par to what @geo g posted there is no one specific remedy that anyone can give. My favorite frog is the small original one on the bottom right of what @LrgmouthShad posted above, they don’t come any smaller. Because they are small it comes with the territory when a big mouth opens surrounded by grass, and wraps around your frog it can very well get lost. Your set blows it’s mouth open and the hooks can’t get through and everything comes out. It happens Mike

Bottom right, the original size in green/pepper, is my hands down number #1 producer. Mike

Ditto Also, I’ve found the type of frog will effect the hook up. A lot of folks on here swear by the pad crusher frog but I don’t. When I gave all of mine away and went to the Scum Frog line my hook up ratio improved almost immediately. They are much softer compared to others. That said, sometimes you can do everything right and they’ll still spit it. Nature of the beast Mike

As far as thier branded reels go, I have 3 JM Sig Pro Qualifier Extreme All are over 10 yrs old and still going strong. In my opinion the Pro Qualifier and to a lesser degree the Extreme are 2 of the toughest reels ever made. Mike

Ditto Mike

I don’t have the luxury of having one for each. I like an XF for all bottom contact presentations regardless of what it is. I can tell what’s happening easier and when they get stuck, they’re stuck with less “delay” Mike

The only time I would and have kept a bass with eggs is in a tournament setting especially after spending an inordinate amount of time trying to get it to bite. Those are what are targeted. Great care is made to transport and release alive and it’s not given a second thought. If fun fishing then No, it’s handled and released immediately with care. Mike

Ditto With that nail weight it will pendulum away from you. Perfect when fishing a hard veg line. Mike

I use a Kaden 715C for the bigger and heavier sizes and a 7’1” Tatula MH/XF for the smaller and lighter Both do the job nicely Mike

The weather should be perfect for you. Low 50’s in the morning to the low to mid 70’s during the day. I fished on the east side from J&S all the down to Pelican and had clean water all the way. Tip…Do some push up’s before you go and bring the big stick! ? Mike

Perfect time to be there. Mike

Toyota Series started today on Okeechobee. 271 boats entered, 9 flights of 30 boats each!! There’s gonna be a bunch of big bags coming in. The recent cold snap we had in the 30’s and now in the high 70’s are gonna be moving the big girls in along with the ones already on beds who were locked down. It’ll be worth monitoring I can close to entering, sorry I didn’t now. Mike