Mike L

Agree... Also, if you put in at Scott Driver on the north end turn right outside of the basin, you can fish the river for 10 miles. Or turn left and fish up to and around the bridge. If you go past the bridge, keep an eye out for boats coming out of Okeetanee Seriously, Keep a watchfull eye out for anything long and dark coming toward you. If you're up againt the shore in the river and hear a low grunting or hissing sound....MOVE. Stay out of the big water Have Fun Mike

H**L I do that once in a great while myself even now when I'm trying to get one out while I'm looking around, thinking about something else and not paying attention to what I'm doing. It happens Mike

Now that my friend IS a hawg!! Good Job Mike

Ditto.. Useing the skip gap style will cure your problem Mike

Mmmm, Thanks Jig! Don't I feel silly..I just "count it down" Mike

Without a guaranteed boater it's tough to deciede what to do. You may get called you may not. I've found down here that yes, 1 or 2 co anglers may not show for whatever reason, but never more than that. Once I was at 11 and moved to 3 the day before the meeting. I drove 2 hrs to attend anyway in the hope that 3 co anglers didn't show up and darn if they didn't. A friend was 5 the day before the meeting and he went and 3 didn't show, so he decided to stay the night and check at the ramp in the morning. 1 didn't show, he was next and didn't get to fish. It was a long ride home. Good luck I hope you make it. Mike

Swimbaits mean different things to different people. Have no idea what a ROF 0 and 5 are. However, if they are some new soft swimbait then I suggest useing 30# braid. I use that for my combo frog/swimbait setup. If it is not, then I'm sorry I tried but can't help. Mike

Depending on the action you want, try these... RI Skinny Dipper...Shiner or Houdini Gambler Big EZ...Forty Niner or Copperfield Mike

30# braid Mike

Well I'd have to say in no particular order... A heavy, splashy entry up close in shallow water while flippin and or pitchin. Getting impatient during a tough day and working a bottom contact bait too fast. Letting the trolling motor kick up a cloud of dirt/muck while trying to maneuver in shallow water. While trying to get into some shallow backwater area, you let the boat bounce off submerged wood or scape the bottom on some rock. Mike

I have only have 2 baitcasters total spooled with braid. 1 doubles as my frogging/soft swim baits setup and the other is my punching/heavy cover combo. No way would I use a leader on either. The rest are either spooled with floro or yo-zuri. Now my spinning rod has 20# braid that is my shaky, wacky etc setup that sometimes I'll tie a leader too. But only for very clear water with no vegetation. Doesn't happen much down here but when I find a shell bed, or a rocky flat then I'll tie one on. Don't see the need anywhere else. Mike

That was special!! It was your first tournament, on your home water, useing your own new equipment and you won! You'll never top or forget that!! Congratulations! Mike

Want a tip... Don't over think it. Fishin can be the most aggrivating, frustrating and mind boggling thing you'll ever do. But at the same time it can be the most rewarding, satisfying and exciting experience you'll ever have. Do what everyone previously just said. Don't be surprised that the more you learn, the more you'll want to learn. Mike

A 10lb bag will be more than enough. Not knowing how big your box is, I'd put just enough in so that no more than half of the surface is covered at one time. Put a little in at a time so as to keep the temperature as consistant as you can. Mike

I went to school to keep my parents from being arrested. Had to fight my way to and from school every day. (It was a different place and time) Married out of HS to get out, but had to work 2 and sometimes 3 jobs to keep our head above water. No formal secondary education, but if you count fighting everyday to raise a family and provide for them then yes, I learned the hard way and am much better for it. There's no degree for that. Mike

The bubblebox will help, but I'd be sure to bring a bag of ice especially if the day is hot. It will help with any bleed and with keeping the water "fresher" without a recirculater. Mike

If I was going there for only a day, I'd stay in and around Shingle Creek. There is plenty of grass on both sides that should be good. Also, there is a shoal outside of it that should be fished hard. For me the best colors of soft plastics has been watermelon and watermelon red. A spinnerbait worked through it would be a good idea also. Good luck Mike

Lately for me it's been the Honey Candy Cut-R Mike

Scum frog is first, always. Mike

Tried them one time and didn't like them. If I wanted a nose weight I just peg one, which gives many options to change the fall rate if needed. To me the best weight for a swim bait are keel weighted which gives a more natural fall if so desired. Mike

Ditto Mike

Thanks Mike

Related.... Do all you guys use braid for a Carolina rig? I've had to use my crankbait setup last outing (composite rod with a 3oz max weight rating) and 12 lb Yo Zuri rigged with a 1oz weight and haven't had any problem's or complaints. Just asking Mike

There's an old Sicilian saying that my factory worker Dad used to say.... "If all the kids in the world went to collage, who's gonna clean the fish" (God, I miss that man) Mike

I use 12# smoke on my spinnerbait/chatterbait setup and about to change over my cranking combo also and toss the Invisex. Mike