Mike L

Congratulations! Mike

I’ve been using the Skinny Dipper for years down here. My 2 favorite colors are Houdini and Pearl Blue. I rig with an Owner 5/0 keel weighted twist lock hook w/centering pin. In certain situations I’ll use a 6/0 Gambler Duz It hook. Mike

That’s my original point.., Congratulations!! Mike

There is no perfect size for specific weight class of fish. If you’re intend on using live bait a 4” to 8” shiner will get bit by them all. If you targeting your pb I’d stay in the 6” and up size with a few 10” in rotation. They’re not cheep. The bigger ones will cost you from $10-$14 a dozen. You can expect to go though a few dozen for a full days outing. The best way is to catch your own, It’s not hard to do. If you’re consistently catching 4lb+ fish using what you are the bigger girls aren’t to far away. Just keep moving Mike

Yeah Buddy!! Mike

Never used it and never felt that I was missing out on something by not doing so. Mike

As you should be!! Mike

When I first started there was an old axiom that I never forgot.... Colder...Smaller and slower Hotter...Bigger and faster It’s not an absolute of course, but it’s a good way to start and go from there. Mike

Ditto Its sad that of all the words in any language that means the most but seems to be used the least is a simple Thank You! Mike

Wow! What a day, congratulations Mike

Snell for punching and Palomar for everything else. Mike

Yep I tried a lighter action rod a few years ago and put it back down. I know it’s becoming popular and the reasons seem plausible, but not for me. Punching is my thing, always look to do that before anything else for exactly the reasons you posted earlier and more. When I stick her with the Trokars I use she stays stuck. I try to get her up and out quick. Mike

When punching, either by flipping or pitching I use 80# original Power Pro exclusively on a 7’3” H/XF rod, with a 8:1 reel. When flipping or pitching to a specific spot in fairly heavy to moderate cover I use 20# Shooter on a 7’ MH/F rod with the same reel. Mike

Remember when you tried to skip a rock when you were a kid? You brought your arm back and let it go flat with a flick of the wrist as low to the water as you could. Skipping with bc is a little like that if you keep the motion as you let it go. I only have a small amount of line off the tip of a fairly soft rod (Loomis 843C MBR) I disengage the reel as my arm goes back in a sideways motion, keeping my thumb on the spool and let it go as close to the water as I can in as a steady fluid swing as possible. When the rod begins to rise I stop the spool and if done right it’ll skip a pretty good ways. The trick is to not try to muscle it. If you do more times than not the lure will nose dive. Mike

@ajay last post could pretty much be mine also. Many more considerations are given to what, where and how I throw with color being last. However, to answer your question color then becomes the first consideration before I change completely. Mike

I think you’re way over thinking this. 5-10 is hardly anything. When it gets close to the 20 range then I’ll worry about it. Mike

Keep the faith Brother! Mike

That’s Great! You’ll remember that for sure! Mike

One of the most overlooked “maintenance” on brakes is to rotate them. Once a year I turn the ones I have on..I turn off. Then turn on the same amount keeping the same stagger. Your original brakes will last years. Also, when oiling I put a very thin coating on the contact end. Mike

That’s about right. Mike

No matter where you live! Mike

My God! I really feel for her. Makes what I had done seem minor compared to what your lady is going through. She’s on my prayer list effective today! Mike Thank You Prayers have been coming your way since you first posted about it. Keep the faith Brother Mike

Thank You fellas for all the good thoughts! Surgery went well and after 5 days finally came home. I’ve been sequestered between 2 rooms since as Mrs Mike keeps a close eye on me. The doc is pleased after my first follow up. Everything looks good. The pain is another story altogether. I always thought I had a high threshold of pain until this. Pain doc hasn’t found the right combination after 3 weeks, but this too shall pass. Thank You again for the kind wishes and thoughts. Mike

Well tomorrow morning I go in for my 2nd spinal fusion surgery in 8 years. This time L3 will be fused to L4 which is already fused to L5! I’m kinda worried about it. So I ask that when you wake up tomorrow morning if you would Please think good thoughts. I’d appreciate it. Mike

Just use what’s working for you. Mike