Mike L

Most tournaments especially the larger ones don’t schedule any for July and August. It’s just too hot for both Mike

I know what you meant. Pros don’t have any magic powers. As I said, just a higher tuned ability to Improvise Overcome and Adapt to identify and capitalize on every emerging pattern. They put the puzzle of clarity, depth, cover, structure, habits, wind, etc etc together more accurately and faster than most amateurs. No substitute for experience and time on the water. Mike

All good answers above and they all apply. Another thing that’s equally if not more important than a few things already said, is the ability to identify a pattern as it happens and to take advantage of it every time. The ability to Improvise, Overcome and Adapt is paramount to be consistently in the money considering the different types of waters you’ll fish in. Mike

@Swamp Girl Katie Unless I’m missing something, I don’t see the problem as I never thought you “Struggle with photography” Nobody posts more pictures than you and they all look good to me. Mike

You’re right of course, but at times the opposite is also true. Most times a silent entry is what we want but other times it isn’t. In fairly thick vegetation especially in pads a crash in will help them locate your bait as some may swim over to see what the commotion is all about. Ever drop a frog in an opening in a pad field and a few seconds later see a line of pads move ever so slightly in a straight line coming right for it? I’ve done it many times and it does help but you gotta pick your spots Mike

Super fluke on 12# Sniper, Trokar TK 110 hook, SDJ knot with always a nail weight in the back. I’ll move it up and back depending on how I want it to fall when periodically dead sticking in a fairly vigorous retrieve. Another thing I’ll do is rig with about 1/4” of the tip pointed up or down, again depending if I want it to rise or dive. Mike

After trying different combinations of what to put where, these made the final cut so I thought I’d share. As strictly a co angler, size and convenience of everything I bring is a priority. It doesn’t matter as much in a friends boat but in an open draw tournament it certainly does. Even tho I don’t show the dividers in place, they are much more rigid as others have said and fit perfectly without bowing as lesser quality ones do. The one handed latch system with the large label area shouldn’t be discounted as they make looking to make a quick change that much quicker. Mike

The most mild premium cigar I’ve ever had is a Macanudo. The sweetest is a mass made Swisher Sweet Mike

My feelings about mono is well documented. I won’t use it to hang a picture. But as some said, it has it uses but it’s certainly not the be all end all of fishing lines that a few make that stuff out to be. It was at one point, but the key word here is Was Didn’t finish… Braid is a specialty line. I only use it on top, frogs and punching only in the thickest cover. I agree with the comments above about using flouro. The best suggestion I can give you is to use a quality product from a mainstream manufacturer. I use Sunline Sniper and Shooter depending on what I’m throwing from 12# to 20# Seaguar is also an excellent line with different choices depending on what you’re looking for. Mike

Excellent advise that most don’t think about. I rarely throw a crank as I’d much rather use a trap in most all circumstances. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

People who think their opinions and experiences are more than just their own opinions and experiences. Mike

One of the reasons why I use Trokar hooks almost exclusively. It doesn’t take much to touch them up if they need it Mike

Pretty much covers it Mike

Nope I’d give them away as a gag gift Mike

To me braid is a specialty line and I use it as such. I only use it for 2 1/2 presentations while all others are 100% fluorocarbon from 12#-20# depending on where and how I fish. Mike

OP Please repost in another thread for clarity Live Long and Prosper Mike

Happy Birthday to You Happy Birthday to Youuu Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuu Happy Birthday to you Mike

I only use my left after an initial pitch. All subsequent ones are left. Saves a lot of time. But never for distance Mike

Crazy? No Are there better choices? Yes In my opinion, The choices you gave on your previous post will do you better just for the weight savings alone Mike

A 7:2 reel if fine and will do you well. You would just lose a little torque going to an 8, it’s a trade off that only you can justify. I’m not familiar with either rod or reel but they both seem popular on here and elsewhere, I wouldn’t worry about it. Good Luck Mike

First of all I’m glad you’re alright!! You sure deserved to catch those! Mike

Ribeye, and it’s not close (Also, you can keep the grits!) Mike

As much as we’d like there to be there is no definitive answer. This is where experience and persistence comes in. Slow down and keep covering water rotating through your most confident baits in different sizes looking for feeding birds, isolated patches of anything, changing angles of every target before moving on. Mike

Loomis 843C It’s the most sensitive rod in my hands that I own which for anything weightless is ideal. Mike