Mike L

I have 2 that are designated for one purpose...Crank, and bottom contact plastics. Mike

For the guys who have, or know about them, what is the diffefence in this years Crucial and last years red Cumara?? Thanks Mike

Prayer just said for a complete and total recovery. Have faith brother! Mike

Bottom contact plastics Spinnerbait Jig Mike

Excellent post! Very well said and 100% I fish BFL, TBF, ABA and a local club as a co angler for years and your points pertain to all of them. Mike

I use 50# or 65# depending on cover...No leader Mike

Palomar for all braid, regardless of the brand or style. If you use a super slick type leave a little of the tag line after cutting. Ive found that the trick to a properly tied Palomar is to insure that the lines are parallel to each other and not crossed before you tie the overhand. Mike

Stick O, Okeechobee Craw Zoom trick worm...June Bug Mike

OP At a tournament yesterday on Lake Istokpoga in Central Florida, my boater and I were flipping and pitching a line of mixed vegetation that would make you think you were in the middle of the jungle in Bora Bora if you were walking around. Knowing before hand what conditions we were gonna hit, I brought all 3 of my flippin sticks, he had 3 also that are always on his boat. His rods had 50, 65 and 80 lb power pro. Mine have 30, 50 and 65 lb. I grabbed the rod with the 65lb at safe light and 9 hrs later didn't put it down...dont know which he was useing but I guarantee you it wasn't the 50. My point is you have to use what you have to use for where you fishing...for what we felt we had to do to give us chance, anything less would have been a waste of time and money. Mike

Same here... I now use 12# for cranks and spinnerbait Mike

Anise mixed with baby oil. As good, better than some but not worse than others. Been mixing my own for so long it's a confidence thing. Mike

Idealy I'd keep them in the original bags, but as a co angler on someone elase boat they take up too much space in my bag. I put them in plano boxes. Before each trip I add scent and when I get home take the boxes out and store in an air conditioned room. Mike

The peoblem as I see it is that a sudden water rise tends to scatter bass. Some now have moved to new water in areas where they couldnt go. Some are in the same area and don't move, while others are somewhere in between. Its this scatter effect that I dont like. Granted a point can be made that at least you know some have moved to the flooded areas so you know now where they're at. Some of the seaching can be cut down. Is it a perfect senario? some days maybe, some not so much. Mike

If you're gonna buy Costa's get 580's...The difference in what you can see is definitely worth it. Mike

Nope never been one but sure would like to be! Good for you! Mike

The only time I'll use a swivel is cating a spoon or a fluke. Normans speed clips also instead of snaps for changing out cranks. Mike

Other than what you've already been told...throw a weighless fluke and hold on!! Mike

Agree, I like this style much better. Mike

There isn't a definative answer to your question that we mere mortals can say with certainty. I have an idea, well an opinion..... As he approachs that intersection, if he is hungry he will head for the grass as his instincts tell him that is the most likely area where he will find a meal. If he has just fed, or seaking more shade than grass will give him on a hot day, or just not in the mood to do much of anything, he will head for the pads to hang out. If something comes by either above or below him and he gets aggravated enough he'll jump on it just to get rid of it. Then again maybe not. Mike

Where 2 or more types of grass meet Where dead and live grass meet Where an underwater hump meets deeper water Mike

No It makes braking smoother as the brakes wear more evenly. Mike

Sorry the X 13 is the 7' 6" 3 oz rated rod. The X 10 and X 12 are rated to 1 oz. Mike

Check out the Phenix X11 (7 ft. ) or X 12 (7 ft 6in) composite rods. With a max lure rating of 3 oz. They are designed for going deep. Great rod. I use mine for all cranks from sq bills to the the big ones. It handles them all well. Mike

On my mag brake only reels, which I use for flippin and pitching only, dial set between 0 and 3. Centrifugal brake only reels, 2 or 3 brakes on. For dual brake system reels a combination of the 2. Usually 2 brakes on and mag set on 3 to 5. All except mag only reels the settings depend on wind, weight of lure, action of the rod being used and certain characteristics of the reel itself. Mike

I just push a nail through it of the size I want. Mike