Mike L

Never done that, I just go by the bills length and start there. Mike

Awesome or not, When I get home from a day on water I'm usually so wiped out I just wipe down the rods, back off the reel drags, toss out the old plastic and just sit quietly for a while. But I may have a bigger smile on face. Mike

Pete We sould be there by late Wed afternoon When we get there just put us to work! Mike

The Ardent Line Butter is the reason I use KVD L&L now. After 1 use I tossed it. Mike

Its not snake oil, some are better than others but none better than the KVD. Imho Ask around, someone you know may use it, if so ask for a couple squirts...Im sure you'll agree. Mike

I use 15# floro for t-rig, and 20# for jigs mostly, because I like the slack line sensitivity. However I also have 50# braid for heavy cover flippin. Mike

Ditto Mike

This is Great. Thanks fella's I was gonna ask this very thing! Since I've never caught a smallmouth I'm gonna need all the help I can get! See you in 2 weeks Mike

If I had a boat each lure I have would probably have it's own space, but as I don't, they don't. As a co angler space is a premium. I've gone through 3 different tackle bags trying to find the one which isn't to big or bulky to carry but more importantly one that wouldnt be overly wide or long to inhibit my boater as he moves around his boat. The one I have now hold's 7 boxes vertically (which makes them easier to remove) I' d rather have it a little higher than longer and wider. So each individual hard bait must share it's space, but I separate by bait style...cranks and jerks in one box, frogs in thier own, jigs and trailers in another etc. Again because of space, I can't carry a dozen bags of plastics either Soft plastics are separated by style, all sharing a box which are labeled...sticks, creature, swim type etc. Mike Im a firm believer in taking what I got for every tournament (I learned that the hard way) If Im just messin around and trying new stuff locally, then I'll separate them out individually.

Agree That rod would be an excellent choice for bottom contact also those Cumara's are plenty sensitive for that also Mike

Everything that was just suggested... For me in order... Frogs in the pads in the am When the sun gets over the trees throw a sq bill or a soft plastic swim bait along the pad line 9:00, Flip beavers and Jigs 11:00, Spinnerbait and swim baits out a little deeper 2:00, Back to holes in the pad field...It's wacky, shaky, beaver and jig time 4:00, Buzz bait or poppers along the pad, weed line Be advised, all this is subject to change!! 6:00 Go home and pass out Mike

For me it's a Phenix M1 m/xf spinning rod with 20# braid w/12 # floro leader. Mike

Ditto Mike

Agree I have flipped, pitched and punched into the nastiest, thickest, heaviest cover on the planet. I was given this rod as gift a while back and as soon as I picked it up I thought about sticking it in the ground and useing it to connect a 2nd phone line into the house. In my opinion there are better choices. Mike

Since being retired now for a lttle over a month... When will I stop putting things off to do, the things I have to do, to give me something to do!! Mike

I like that color combo. I would think if you put a houdini colored Skinny Dipper on that thing it would compliment it perfectly. Mike

Id definitely just scim it on top if you're gonna thow it in thick vegetation. The exposed hook would concern me a little. I think it would be better for open areas in a pad field, or over grass just under the surface. With the bulbus shape and short skirt it looks like a variation of a Scum From without the dual hook setup. Mike

Agree I'd use it a whole season first then clean it right down down to the keel. Would a bearing flush help what you're seeing now? Given that the factory probably over lubed it, probably. But I'd still use it a while first. Mike

Mmmm Kinda like that, Thanks! Mike

They really are. If you throw soft swim baits I think you'd be pleased. Mike

I used a white and chartreuse with a silver blade in stained water a week ago and it worked fine. I only did it because it was already tied on and didn't want to waste time hunting for another one. Glad I did. Mike

Believe me it happens... What I like about them is that by moving the Spinner up or down the hook you can change the fall to whatever you want. I had my doubts about it because I thought the spinner was kinda big and would inhibit the bite. I still think it's too big, especially skimming it through heavy grass but in more open water or scattered emerging grass they really work. Mike

As I posted on another thread, I've always used a Paca craw for swimmimg, as a jig trailer and as a stand alone flippin bait. I picked up a pack of the rage to use it this past Saturday at a local tournament, and immediately got a hit by a male guarding a nest...then another and another. Must say I be getting more. Mike

Always used Paca craws for trailers and as a stand alone bait. I tried the Rage this past weekend for the first time... I'll be using them more now for sure. Mike

This is Great!! I guess I should bring more cash Huh! Mike