Mike L

I see your point, but you’re a more versatile angler than I am. The waters we fish for the most part couldn’t be more different. It’s not broke so we both don’t need to fix it Mike

Yepper!! Mike

I hold pretty much the same way except going by your picture, my wrist would be shifted a little lower to bring my index finger up under the line Mike

I use MH/F or XF rods for everything also except the big stick. The action of almost all of them is just a little different depending on the manufacturer and length. I specifically buy them that way. (All casting, don’t use spinning) Just because they say what they are doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Mike

@A-Jay I don’t use round reels but I can see what you’re saying. I use low profile reels exclusively which makes it easier and faster. Mike

The joint is the most sensitive part so yes it definitely helps to feel any line movement or vibration As @WRB Mentioned when reel setting the grip doesn’t move using a reel sweep to hit her. When I set in a move vertical angle say when flipping or pitching I just move my finger off the line which takes less than a fraction of second while setting. I just wrap the finger underneath to finishing palming it. My thumb is always on the spool throughout the process Mike

I’ve always put the line in the first joint, it’s much more sensitive that a finger pad Mike

Nope Thats why my head is only flat on one side Mike

C’Mon Of Course Not in an amateur tournament where only pictures of the length is the deciding factor, No Mike

Done Mike

Never heard of a tournament without a catch limit It must take to midnight to finish weigh in! Mike

Good Point Mike

Beautiful fish Dwight! Great Job Mike

Norman Speed Clips. The fatter your fingers the harder to open especially in cold weather without a tool. When closed they stay closed Mike

Never bought anything solely because of the warranty. If I need it I buy it, If I buy it I use it. If it’s defective I’ll know soon enough so a 1 yr warranty is sufficient. Sensitively is paramount for bottom contact presentations so that’s where most of my money goes Length of the warranty is secondary For moving baits it’s even less of a consideration Mike

First a Hail Mary that was set up by the coach Now a blocked FG from a kicker with a historically low trajectory from distance that the coach didn’t try to make shorter. C’ Mon Man!!’ Mike

NO Mike

Every light line finesse type bait and presentation on spinning rods Mike

The first bait I throw in a “non-stop feeding frenzy chasing shad” situation regardless if it’s in grass or not is a white pearl Super Fluke with a nail in the back. I throw it along the edge of the ball. As soon as it hits the water I hit it hard to get it down and then kill it and let it fall doing the same all the way around. Now that said, in any emergent or topped out grass a T rigged Magnum UV Speed Worm with a unpegged 3/16 weight is always my first choice. A standard size Honey Candy Rage Cut R is 2nd. Mike

As a co angler I have no choice but to conserve space so I use the boxes. I divide them horizontally Mike

Change the valve Depending on how it’s piped, DON’T SHUT the gas off at any junction other than at the source OUTSIDE the house. Mike

Have a great time and travel safe! I wish you the best. Mike

Sometimes but hardly ever use a jig The cover and water clarity will dictate what I rig on each. 1 is a MH/F and the other a H/F I have my rotation of confidence baits for the different conditions that I rotate through until a pattern emerges. The only exception is when sight fishing beds then I only use one. Mike

Don’t own a boat I’m a co angler for tournaments or just putzin around. If fishing from a boat I always bring 6 with 2 of those for bottom contact. 1 for light to moderate cover and the other from moderate to heavy cover. When the sole intention is to punch I’ll substitute the 2nd for the big stick. Mike

I don’t look at it as age related. Considering my overall peak, all things considered is past. There are limitations now that I didn’t have even 5 yrs ago. However there are certain things that I think I reached and some I never will. Mike