Mike L

5/0 Owner w/centering pin.. Mike

Agree, sounds like you need a better hook set next time. Yes, braid will give you that over mono... no stretch. But you need to keep tension on the line as it it much harder to feel a light bite if there is a bow in the line. Also, as the fish gets close lower your rod tip when you feel her coming up. If she's gonna jump she'll jump, but by lowering the rod close to where you are it may not be as high. Also, you found the right everything so I would duplicate what, how and when you did what you did. But give her some time. Good Luck Mike

Yeah I know about Jelly worms. My point was to me the 2 I mentioned more closely resemble a snake. Mike

Try not to get caught up in all this. Anything that shakes, wiggles, wobbles or sashay's will catch a fish, be it plastic or hard bait. There are hundreds of different artificial lures we could buy that are proven to work by anglers of every age and skill level. My comment is to get proficient with what you know and works in your waters. Good Luck Mike

To me those are just gimmicks. Its the "new and different" that sucks folks in. When I want to throw a large moving plastic through the grass, 'll use a Rage Recon, or Culprit Fat Max ribbon tail. But Certainly not because it looks like a snake so it has to be good. Just my opinion Mike

Whew Thats crazy! Mike

Anytime I look at my 50 yr old Johnson Century 100b spin casting reel. Mike

20# Shooter Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Yep Whatever you do, be carefull who you tell. Seriously, there's a lesson to be learned there that we all can get a benefit from. The bigger ones can be very particular about what they eat and when. Just because we throw what we know and what we've had great success with, doesn't mean a thing sometimes. We'd be shocked to learn how many times that Senko, worm, craw, spinnerbait etc went right by them, how many times they looked at it, thought about it, then turned and swam away. Big girls don't get big because they're stupid. Good Job! Mike

Ditto Reevaluate everything. Your problem may not be that you need new hooks. This is the best place to start Mike

Ditto If I had a choice I'd much rather fish in stained tannic water than any other but there is one exception.The heavier the vegetation and the clearer the water is ideal for me. The fish tend to be bigger and easier to pattern. Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

The best tournament rules are those that level the playing field for anglers of all skill levels and that will get you the most participation. I've found that for a family fun tournament the fewer the rules the better. What you have are fine. Mike

Agree What gets me off the couch isn't necessarily the payout it's the format. Teams...boater against boater...co vs co. When it comes to payout I like a gradual payout decline down the standings as Oregon Native said. Keep your entry fees in the 100 range for a team format and maybe 100 for boaters and 50 for co anglers if you go the separate division route. Being a non profit organization I know you'll want to get as many entries you can, but by keeping the fees low you may increase you participation more than just the pay out amount. Good Luck Mike

All excellent advise. What I found is the hook eye needs to be straight out for me. Too high and it skip's like primetime said, it seems those are designed to be chugged, too low and it will dig in. What helped me the most when I started was to keep the rod tip off center and twitch parallel to the water. If you twitch it in a downward motion like a jerkbait, or try with a high tip you're gonna stuggle. At least I do. The only frogs I use now are the original Scum. When you get it right you'll be able to walk that thing in place. Kkeep at it you'll get it. Mike

Thanks guys for the kind words and well wishes! Mike

Hello and Welcome! Mike

Thanks Fellas! Mike

Prime.. Believe it or not there a different ways to tie a snell, I didn't know that when I decided to try it. The one I use is bring the main line up the shank, wrap 6 times, through the loop and cinch.. It takes more time for me to tie a SDJ which is all I use for non braided lines, and can tie the snell faster than that. But I only use it when punching. Ya gotta use what you like of course, but thought I'd share anyway. Mike