Mike L

I don't use colors that don't produce. To your point, once I find a color that I have success with I don't change. I use 3 for plastics..June bug, dark green pumpkin, or a red shad. Frogs I use 2...Black and anything predominantly green. Spinnerbait/chatterbait..Whitechartreuse or Junebug If none of that works I'll go home. Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

Hello and Welcome Mike

I'm pretty well stocked for now but if you can't find them at your local big box sporting goods store, or a local tackle shop, let me know and I'll be happy to send you a few. Mike

From Pine Island Sound to Sarasota the fishing has been spotty at best, and thats if you can tolerate the conditions. My son in law is a salt water guide who has had charters all last weekend and caught fish in bays and backwaters where it's a little clearer. But coming in March of next year you'll be able go anywhere you want. Mike

Dink I'd be happy to walk you through it but it might be easier if you find a map of the lake somewhere that way I can pinpoint those and others for you. Let me know Mike

There is a lot of clean water (more than whats been advertised) on the north shore. If I were you, I'd try the 1st point behind Kings Bar. There was some light algae near the 2nd point where it opens into the lake but there were fish. After that turn around and head past Hog Island and stop just before the opening to Governors Cut. If you want, go through the cut to the pier and have the boy throw a wacky rig all around it. Mike

I was there a few weeks ago but launched out of Scott Driver. It was tough going for sure. I suggest you hit the shore line real heavy, hitting every heavy mat you can. Didn't have any success from 5 yds out. Good Luck Mike

Other than for one presentation, I use Trokar hooks exclusively. When those need sharpening I just toss 'em. For the other I agree with @TOXIC Mike

If you want to fish Okeechobee, There was a thread not long ago that listed about a dozen guides. Do a search and you'll find it. Mike

I also use a Plano box for terminal tackle also. Being a co angler I have a section in my bag for used plastics and hooks. When I change hooks it only takes a second to cut the line off the eye at the same time. The only time I'd sharpen a hook is if it's my last one while still on the water. Mike

Don't use leaders for anything. Straight braid or Flouro depending on what I'm doing and where I'm doing it. Sometimes I think folks use it as a crutch and because of the many threads like this where the majority use it so it must be the thing to do. That said, @everythingthatswims is one of the most accomplished anglers on the water whose opinion has proven results and should be valued. Mike

That '64 Galaxie with the Very Rare "P" code was not Barney Fife's daily driver ?? Mike

Punching...Sweet Beaver, BB Cricket, Speed Craw Swimming...Fat Max, magnum Speed Worm Bottom...Jelly Worm, Recon All subject to immediate change. Mike

I came very close to buying a 05 when they first came out. I thought it would be cool to have one of each generation 40 yrs apart. But after careful consideration the sensible Mrs Mike prevailed, and I didn't want "Mr G" to feel ignored. Mike @TOXIC Do you realize what those are worth today?? I'd tell you but I don't want to be responsible for making a grown man cry. Mike

Yep With the composite rod I don't need to make a bomb cast. With the slower action I can get almost the same distance but with much greater accuracy especially with fairly hard underhand roll cast. Another advantage is a better, more consistent set regardless of how they hit it. Mike

Councours Award winner in the modified division at the GTO Nationals a few years ago. Mike

Ditto Mike

It should work fine. I use a 7' Phenix heavy composite rod but I throw in a lot of cover 90% of the time. Mike