Mike L

The only way to tell with the highest degree of certainty is during the spawn or recently after. Rub your finger along its belly toward the anal opening. If milt, a whiteish fluid comes out it's a male. Eggs of course will be a female. Mike

7 baitcasters and 2 spinning. Use them all Mike

I have 3 Phenix rods... * 7'2" mh/f M1 which I think fish's more like medium action. I originally bought it for bottom contact plastics as the weight and sensitivity is what I was looking for, but it just seems too overmatched given the grassy lakes I fish in down here. It is now my spinner/chatter rod teamed with a Curado I and 15# Invisex. * 7ft X11 composite crank rod. I just love this rod. It is thier "deep diver". Even tho it has a max lure rating of 3oz, I use it for all crank sizes including 1.5 sq bill's with no problems. It's matched with a Johnny Morris Sig reel with 12# Yo Zuri. *7'3" m/xf spinning rod. Excellent weight, length and sensitivity for all finesse fishing I use it more for wacky and shaky presentations. 20# power pro with 12# floro leader on a 3000 symtere reel. Mike

Norman's are designed to be used without the split ring. Take it off first, if you're not doing it already, makes it much, much easier. Mike

Ditto.... Mike

Thanks Fellas I appreciate it! Mike

Thanks

Mr. Franco All things being equal, which one would you say is the more sensitive in your hands? Mike

Casting 1. Jig 2. Sq.Bill 3. Soft Plastics 4. Spinnerbait 5. Punching 6. Frog Spinning Wacky rig That's what I start out with, but each combo could change except the Jig, plastics and the punching rig. Mike

Man If I would have known you were there, I would have paid you for your time, gas and bought you lunch to pick me up one while you were there! Mike

Use a nail weight or a finshing nail. You can put it where you want to give it a different fall rate or angle. Mike

Another option is to put a bobber stop above and behind your weight of choice, then just slide the whole thing up and down the line where you want it. If you throw in a lot of grass it will have a tendency to move on you tho. I always use a bober stop ahead of my weight when texas rigging soft plastics. Especially in scattered grass. Mike

Excellent! Mike

Learn to Improvise, Overcome and Adapt. With all that implies. ... Example, but there are more... Improvise...try new and different ways of what you already do and have confidence in. Overcome...negative thoughts and impulse's, don't lose confidence in yourself or your abilities. You know how to do it just try not to overthink it. Adapt...Always be aware of your surroundings. Try to keep up with changing conditions. Don't lock youself into thinking "well let me try this, this always works" or "Ive always caught fish there, let's go" You got the idea Mike

Well, getting ready to leave for the B.A.S.S. Nations Florida State Championship on the St.Johns River this weekend. Then 5 days later I'll be competing in the BFL's Chevy Wild Card tournament on Kentucky/Barkley lakes for a spot in the FLW All American. From there??? Competing in both as a co-angler. Wish me luck, I'm gonna need it Mike

I agree, there's just something about a bomber Mike

I lay the tip of my index finger under the line when working a bottom contact plastic, been doing it so long I don't even think about it anymore. Does it help? I think so but then again I've always done it. Mike

Yep! Mike

I've found that a skip back style hook, will hold a plastic much better than an off set hook. Hook ups aren't a problem either. The gap seems to me as nice compromise between a straight shank and a ewg. But that's me Mike

A slender, weightless, tex posed anything should go through anything without getting snagged. It may not get down to where you want it, but it will go through it. If the veg is just too thick and you can't reach the fish try use a punch rig Mike

Regular, standard, normal 20# Power Pro Mike

Love dem sluggo's! You don't here much about them anymore. All anybody wants now is a senko But to all you young squirts out there....There was a time..... Mike

Down here in South / Central Florida, we don't stop for nothing man! (Except maybe a 150mph hurricane) Mike

Agree Mike

As Kent said, fog doesn't affect the fish but it should affect what you're gonna do especially in a boat. Namely if you can't see stay where you are! Dont leave the ramp area or don't launch at all...theres a reason it's called "safe light" If a fog bank rolls in while you're on the water turn your lights on and shut down, dont move. Keep still and listen for other boat's, and be prepared. The only advantage to fishing in the fog imho, is that the water and air are still. If you must, throw a top water bait of your choice. Mike