Mike L

Thank You Well Said Mike

As I mentioned in a previous post, The Lake has been fishing great for the last few months and will get even better from now to early May. There are beds in all phases but of course you gotta know where to go. Once an angler gets that dialed in and gets on the right pattern it can be lights out as is being proven. I’ve been finding that reaction baits have been working better as the water gets more tannic. Historically different Mike

So sorry to hear. My condolences Mike

That place has been on fire the last month, just gotta know where to go. Beds are in all stages. Mike

Oh Man! Im so sorry to hear this. My sincere condolences Mike

To answer your question directly based on what you stated you want to use it for, I’d spool 50# Braid is a specialty line, at least for me. Let the cover and structure dictate what you need. Personally, I use 50# for a few of what you listed and 65# or 80# for the heaviest of conditions depending on what I’m throwing where. Mike

We have a Gator family hanging around the canal that comes cruzin by every so often. You guys think you have problems! 😀😀 Mike

Whew! That place is something! Have fun and travel safe Mike

Thats what makes this place what it is. We all come from different backgrounds with different experiences that you just can’t know about by reading a post on a website. We’re all not just a pretty face 😃😃 Mike

Zoom Magnum UV Speed Worm Rage Cut R Rage Bug Super Spook Devils Horse Mike

I didn’t get serious about fishing for anything until I moved to Florida in ‘79. Never gave it thought or had many opportunities living on the So Side of Chicago. For the first 10 yrs or so I did the requisite salt water scene as everybody does. Fishing off bridges, jetty’s, beaches, canals etc. Just rig a shrimp or squid under a bobber and sit. I joined a bass club and got hooked by the competitiveness. I entered my first tournament in 2010 and slowing worked my way up from local charity venues to the BASS Nations, BFL, US Opens and finally being invited to compete in the Toyota Series. Thats where my education really began as I entered almost everything in and around the SE. I learned quickly where my strengths and weaknesses were. Being humbled when fishing out your element kinda accelerates your learning curve. After some exciting successes at each level I kinda backed off after retiring as it just became untenable to keep going on a fixed income even with sponsored support. Most of my fishing now is from Central to the So Florida area. I’ve fished Okeechobee so often and for so long I have no desire to go anywhere else and start over. Mike

I only use Trokar hooks for all plastic presentations and have for years. TK 110 EWG for light to moderate cover TK 120 Mag for moderate to heavy cover. Mike

I thought the same Aginst SF and the way it was going I would have taken the points.

Shane Waldron from Seattle for OC Eric Washington Assit Head Coach / D Line coach from Buffalo for DC (he was on our staff under Martinelli from ‘08-‘10) Kerry Joseph from Seattle for QB coach So far Mike

Your times comin @Darren. Just to much firepower on that team for it not to be. We just signed your D Line/ assistant Head Coach. I hope he’s worth it Mike

@detroit1 Hey Mark, You on oxygen yet?? I know I’d be 😀😀 Mike

12# - 16# depending on the predominant cover, structure etc. Be aware if you don’t know, you get what you pay for in flouro lines. Mike

As far as emulating one specific person which I’m assuming is what you’re asking, I can’t say I do. I try to take a little or as much as I can from proven and successful people that I respect. On here there’s too many to list. Mike

Every time a bass fisherman (or any type of fisherman) throws a line they’re pattern fishing. You know what you have tied on, You know where you threw it, You know how you presented it. What happens if you catch fish? You try to mirror everything you just did! That’s a pattern. What happens if you change something and gets bit or not? Thats looking for pattern. What happens if you don’t hook anything? That’s a pattern not to be repeated. Mike

Well mine is easy compared to the vast majority of posters on here… As I’ve said before… Standing at the bow of a boat looking down at a screen all day holding a 6ft lightweight spinning rod with 6# line, waiting for a 2# fish to swim by so I can jiggle a 3” worm in her face is not me. I don’t Ned, Drop, Shake or Wack I envy those who are successful at it as they apparently are effective presentations. Just not for me. I’d much rather flip, pitch and punch with the big stick. Mike

Sorry to hear about your friend May he Rest In Peace Mike

Got more hope's and dreams than a specific number Mike

Sorry, You won’t find Peacock up that way. You’ll need to drive to either Broward or Dade County and of course the Glades. You’ll find them also in the canals around Golden Gate in Collier Co Mike

You can take a nap and float over a fish and wait for the line to move. No individual skill required. Mike

@TOXIC Don’t forget the big stick!! The last time there were a few warm days between fronts almost everything worked If you keep moving. Now, there are more on beds. I sight fish more than most. If water is clear enough and you’re not competing with other nearby boats, a Trophy is definitely possible Good Luck Mike