Mike L

Mrs Mike has told me more than once to just shut up and fish! Good to know I’m not the only one ? Mike

Well Said Mike

Good timing, Keep the opinions coming. I’m looking for a new frog rod myself. ? Got it down between the Siera/Fury or a Mojo Mike

Yes, that’s the point. If I took them and either used them myself or gave them to someone else. To me it’s the same thing. Mike

I threw a pop r in the middle of a school of shad popping all around the boat and “caught” a 3 ft gator. He nearly spooled me Mike

A few years ago a VERY famous pro tour angler fished a BFL after taking a long protracted break from the tour. He wanted to “ come back slow” so he entered the first 2 events. I was fortunate enough to draw him as my boater the first day. After the draws were announced we met up and I stated to ask my normal questions that I ask before every tournament.... Where to meet, can I bring breakfast, Can I bring 6 rods and a mid sized bag, do you have a plan on where to start etc etc. After launching, he turned and said.., ” I asked about you as I do about all my co-angler draws and was relieved to learn that I can trust your honor” I said of course, but asked what he meant. He told me that we were going to a few places that he only goes to when he’s alone. Never with someone else especially in a tournament, but wanted to go because the conditions were right to try a few things he wanted to use at his first tour date upcoming. The point is, if I tried to “steal” waypoints in previous tournaments from other boaters, I’d be done before I started. And yes, I said steal. It’s just the way I feel Mike

Exactly right about “professional tournament anglers” But folks who hire a guide aren’t those. If they spent more time to learn areas, patterns and conditions like I mentioned they’d learn more and be more successful for the long haul.

As a co angler fishing with guides and pro’s for 12 yrs I never took waypoints. Never asked. I pay attention to areas, patterns and conditions. Seen too many times that “spots” change, they hardly ever stay the same. If somebody wanted to know where the best frog water was in the summer on my home lake, or where the most likely bedding areas are in late winter early spring, or where to Carolina rig over humps..Those I learned by paying attention and asking them about their why’s and when’s. Mike

Phenix X series composite crank rod. Mike

Hold the line between your fingers, You’ll feel it as you reel back. Mike

If the grass is growin I’m fishin! There really isn’t a bad time to go down here. Different seasons for me just means going to different parts of different lakes using mostly the same techniques. Sometimes Ma Bass will force a change up depending on temp and pressure, but most times it’s all the same. Mike

Excellent post. Mike

Good for you!! Congratulations Mike

That was great! Whenever you guys decide to do another I’m in. Mike

So sad Mike

I wish all members a Happy Thanksgiving. May we all have more to be thankful for with each passing year. Stay Safe and Healthy. Mike

Do a search on here for guides. I listed a dozen or so of primarily Big O guides a while back that I either know personally or fished with in B.A.S.S. or FLW tournaments over the last 10 yrs or so. Mike

@Teal I just went through the process too. I think I did it right, we’ll see. Mike

When I think about it, I use baby oil and garlic. Lately I haven’t even thought about using it Mike

Excellent reply! Every month or so we have the same discussion saying the same thing. In time a few will come on board and take this thread in the inevitable direction of complaining about how hard, if not impossible it is to tie a good knot with flouro... I’ve had the same flouro mainline on 90% of my combo’s for almost 2 yrs with no reason to change. Never had a knot fail. I use L&L only because I like it, not because it’s needed. Yes, it’s more expensive than mono, but so it braid. You either like it, hate it, put up with it or love it. Never gonna change. Mike

Ditto!! Same can be said for Sunline products. (Sniper and Shooter) but that’s just my preference. No leader tho Mike

Skipping with a BC takes practice..a lot of practice. It took me years to get proficient at it but there’s a few things that can make it easier Get low... the lower to the surface the better. The angle you use will make it easier too, Don’t try to skip using a pitching motion at first, an underhand sidearm motion is best. Don’t get aggressive....Most folks start out trying to skip 20ft, it can be done but if you don’t try to get distance at first you’ll be much more successful long term. Use light baits until you get the motion down. The heavier the bait the harder it is to skip. For me I had to Adjust the tension knob just a little tighter than I normally would for distance casting. It’ll take some time, but stay with it. Once you get the rhythm down you may surprise yourself. Mike

Pre spawn in mid November to majority of post spawn in mid April. Mike

Not to long ago when I had sponsors one of the “suggested conditions” of a few was to wear their gear. There was no requirement but I did it anyway. I customized mine a little by adding a few of the products I just liked, as the ones they gave me looked a little lost by themselves. Mike