Mike L

More than one! But nobody named Leroy! ? My whole world was 71st to 67th street Damen to Ashland. (Little Sicily) I think the first time I even went to the lake (Rainbow Beach) was in my mid teens. From ‘65 to ‘70 it was all about surviving a changing neighborhood and Viet Nam It was a different world Mike

I’m bias against holding a med/Lt spinning rod with 6# line, bouncing up and down, staring at an electronic screen waiting for a 2# fish to swim by. Just shoot me now!! Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Personally, I kinda wish Snyder didn’t succumb to the pressure. Mike

As a co angler my combos have to do double or in a few specialized cases triple duty. Anyway, I use an original Phenix M1 mh/f with 12# Sniper. Its action is comparable to a mh/m from other lines. Mike

The only “tour event” I’ll watch is the Heavy Hitters format. However, without looking it up I can’t tell you which organization runs it. I really don’t care either. Mike

Growing up on the So Side of Chicago in the 50’s and 60’s there wasn’t a lot of fishing spots! Fishing wasn’t even a thought. When we first left we moved to Maryland in my mid 20’s and that really started my interest. My first real fishing trips were in the Chesapeake Bay. When moved to Florida in ‘79, I did what everyone does when they first move here, they get a cheap salt water outfit and target Snook, reds, trout and tarpon. In about the late 90’s I had enough of that and began focusing on bass. I loved fishing small ponds and canals but always had the drive to fish competitively. From that beginning in my late 50’s I started entering BFL’s, BASS Nations and ABA tournaments and then a few Opens. All as a co angler. As I got better ( or at least I thought did) and started to win a few State and Regionals my health took a turn and now after 2 separate spinal fusion surgeries I started to slow. Now in my early 70’s I’ll fish a few but nowhere near like before. Mike

Ain’t it the truth!! (except enjoying watching him play) ? Mike

I use a MH/XF Diawa Tatula for weightless and up to 1/2 oz. For anything heavier which I do a lot, a Dobyns Kaden 715. Both are full cork Mike

I know you’re asking about a 7’4” but I use a Kaden 715 for what you want as I tend to use shorter rods and have no complaints. That thing loads quick and sticks em. I also use it for Carolina Rigs and frogs. Mike

I also read reviews but at the same time try to find and talk personally to someone who currently uses what I’m looking for. Not much anymore for reels as I’m locked into Curado’s or Chronarch’s or even baits. I know what works for me and how to use them. Those experiments are over. Rods are a different story. @kingmotorboat knows his Dobyns and @T-Billy his Ark’s I bought both products almost exclusively because of their recommendations. Mike

I fished a BASS Nations Regional out of there a couple years ago in October and the winning bags were mostly on traps, and june bug paddle tails. My best ones came on a red/shad Fat Max ribbon tail with 3/16 unpegged swam over and through any grass line on the inside cuts. That thing got hit swimming through pad fields in obviously “frog water” which they wouldn’t touch. My boater pitched craw baits all day. When you’re running around watch that you don’t get too close to the shore. We and others ran into a few submerged lay downs. Luckily no one broke anything. Good Luck Mike

Being in the 30’s up there Sunday night they’re gonna need all the anti freeze they can get ! Mike

OP 3 times you asked “why not” My response is..Why wouldn’t you? The biggest mistake a lot of folks make is getting caught up in the.. ”usual”, “always done it” ”I read somewhere” or believing some self serving you tube video site that says..“this is what you need”, and “this is how to do it” You’re limiting yourself by doubting if you should or not. Read @Catt response again. Mike

I can’t help, but I admire you for not letting it get in the way of trying to make him feel welcome. And especially your niece, for not letting it get in the way of finding her true Love. Mike

We have a freeze warning down here for Sunday morning. A few years ago when it got that cold I was driving toward Little Gasparilla Island and they were all over the side of the road. I remember thinking we never saw anything like that on the So. Side of Chicago! Mike

We’ve been partners for 52 yrs in every sense of the word. My parents are 2nd generation immigrants from Sicily where in my family the husband/father is the absolute master of his domain and everyone knew it. I grew up knowing and believe in it, until I met Mrs Mike. She changed me in more ways than one. Mike

That’s why I send mine out to be done! I don’t trust myself Mike

The size and flash brings them to it and the color can be anything so they figure…What the Heck!! Or Not Mike

Ain’t it the truth..In more ways than one. Mike

In my opinion by making that decision shows the kind of character you have. The priorities you showed those kids is the one of the greatest lessons you can give them. Mike

Don’t care much between mid 7’s and low 8’s or mid 6’s and low 7’s. But I do care between low 6’s and 8 anything. Mike

Throw in Sniper for certain things and you got the best of everything Mike

That’s what it is and intent Mike

Believe or not, but some guys are serious about it. Some years ago me, Mrs Mike and friends of ours chartered a fishing trip out of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. After introductions and some pleasantries, our Captain asked with a serious tone if anyone brought a banana with them. After we all answered no, he then asked if anyone ate a banana that morning! Again we all said no. My friends wife then asked why and what if we did? He said he would refund our deposit and cancel the charter right there! I heard about that superstition when I fished a Pro Am tournament and my pro asked the same question. Also, my son-in-law who is a charter Captain locally who caters to wounded veterans, is a firm believer. As far as superstitions are concerned we had a thread on here a few years ago and if I remember right “no bananas on the boat” was the most repeated. Mike