Mike L

I have not used what you asked about. I used 15# Invisex for a few years until I tried 16# Sniper. Have no plans to switch to anything else. Mike

Same here Mike

Ditto! I'll never fish like that again! Mike

You answered your question. You found fish, you caught fish, you know the bottom contour and You remembered what you used. Even tho you may not have got bit in the last few days, I would venture to say that an area like that, in mid summer would be an ideal place for fish to reload after a while. If there is a flats area on either side of the 10-12ft causeway, hit that area hard when the deeper water bite slows. That would be where I would begin and end my day. Mike

Thats an option of course, but I personally won't use a swivel. A snap or loop knot tied direct in my opinion are the 2 best ways. Mike

Scare the fish? That's news too me, I've never heard that before. I guess maybe it could happen, noone will ever know for sure but... The only real problem I see, and I'm not a crank expert by any means, is the real chance of the knot being frayed, weakened or cut by the junction of the 2 end's of the snap or split ring if not useing a snap, if the knot is tied between the 2. Mike

If you did a survey, I'll bet you a watermelon fluke that there are probably more bank beaters, kayakers, canoeers and co anglers here combined, than those with a 21' Ranger Mike

I use snaps for both. And tie a SDJ Mike

Walleye!!! The best tasting fish that swims! Mike

Really!! I may have to check that out! Thanks Jakob Mike

Spinnerbait/Chattbait 7' 2" Phenix M1, JM Sig reel w/14# XPS Flouro Mike

The boss and I we're just recently talking about our own roadtrip for 2016. We decieded to run Rt 66 all the way to Pacific in our new motor home... (I just Love this retirement gig) Even tho we're both from Chicago which is where it starts, I really didn't want to drive that much out of the way being we live on the So West coast of Florida. So we thought of picking it up in Oklahoma, which with a little time planning on the boss end, who I elected as our official navigator, we probably could make both, maybe one coming and one going! Hmmm That may work out. We had such a great time at the last Official Road Trip in 2014 and met so many people who I can still call friend, that we may have to work both of these in. Anyway, as of now put me and Jeannie down for both. I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Yates, but what better way to honor a members contributions than to have a permanent remembrance of a man that was obviously respected by the folks who knew him! Mike

Most folks who don't fish Florida much assume that the lakes don't change, bass can only be found shallow in the grass...You're learning that's just not true. I know a lot of bosters, guides and pros who don't even bother to use the same way points every year. Why? Because the lakes down here change so much. Year to year and in some cases month to month. Okeechobee is famous for that. Also, the bass down here will be shallow at some point but I'm convinced they all don't live year round there. They'll move in to feed and head back out. Once you grasp and believe that, your catch rate will improve.. Mike

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger..It happens to all of us once in a while. No matter the water, what or how we throw whatever we throw, it happens. As mostly a tounament co angler it's easy to blame the boater, his decision of where to fish, his timing, his moves or lack of moves, his boat position etc etc. But it didn't take me long to realize those were all excuses to make me feel better because I didn't make better decisions. Didn't Improvise, Overcome or Adapt enough or at the right time to what was happening as it was happening. Fortunately, it doesn't happen often now a days, but when it does it just brings the focus back with a vengeance. Mike

Years ago I did the same, but stopped. At first I thought it helped but kinda got away from it. I still use them once in a while but I throw hard lures so infrequently I really can't say if it helps either. Mike

Happy Fathers Day Dads!! Mike

It's always a good idea to hire a guide on a lake you've never been too if you can afford it. Takes all the guessing and riding around out. Good Luck and Welcome.

I thought I'd be able to help but after reading this I can't. I decieded to go back to bed.... Mike

Joe After your thread a while ago I was wondering if you tried it. Good Job! You're hooked now my friend. Mike

Swing the bait high in the air as you start your pitch so it comes crashing down hard through the mat. You can add momentum by pulling your rod down hard toward the mat at the highest peak of the pitch. Mike

In muddy water especially caused by an inordinate amount of rain, and want to throw a crankbait, I always use the brightest, most colorfull, chartreuse predominant one I have. If throwing plastic I'll use a rattle and/or beads. Mike

Use anything noisy and brite. Mike

Some folks even longer than that Mike

Want a Fenwick?? Look for a Techna AV. IMHO The best rod Fenwick ever made. I'd put that up against most current models of any current brand. Mike

7' MH/F Fenwick Techna AV Curado E7 16# Sniper Mike