Mike L

Keep the faith brother. Been one for 73 yrs, believe it or not it’s been worse. We’ll get there Mike

I just hope he goes away. And it’s not because I’m a Bear fan Mike

@N Florida Mike Fir content I live less than 2 miles from Charlotte Harbor and about 5 from the Gulf. In 2004 Hurricane Charlie was moving north in the Gulf with its projected path toward Tampa. When it reached The mouth of Charlotte Harbor it turned right and made land fall. I had my wife, daughter and her to small kids with me. I put them in a hallway between 2 bedrooms and a bathroom and grabbed 2 mattresses and every pillow in the house. I put them all face down on the floor and covered them up, then laid down on top of them. The windows were shaking and the glass sliding doors leading to our lanai were pulsating in and out. After about 1/2 hr, my brother who lived about a mile away called checking on us as the winds died down and the sun came out. I looked outside and all I could see was a wall of black and grey clouds just swirling around left to right. We were in the eye. I sustained some roof damage but was fortunately saved by a huge Heritage Oak tree that dispersed the winds enough to save my house. We had no power for 8 days. Charlie was a fast mover which was a blessing in itself as it could have been much much worse. Last year Hurricane Ian was! We were in the eye wall for 10 hours straight. They said it had winds of 162mph This time my whole family was here and just hung on and rode it out. It was the worst and scariest thing I’ve ever been through. The rain looked like smoke blowing sideways! My daughter lives on the shore of the Peace River. Her home sustained over 180k of damage that they’re still repairing. We had no power or water for 8 days in 90+ degree weather. I have a few videos that I took which gives a better sense of what it was like but they won’t post on this response. I guess because of the pictures Mike

After taking direct hits of 2 Cat 5 hurricanes, I have a greater understanding and respect for the thier power. You could have had a small tornado come through and do that, especially being that the bucket didn’t move. As far as straight line winds I would guess at least 60+, but again being that the bucket is still there I vote for a small tornado. Just be thankful you weren’t in it! Mike

Standing at the end of a boat, staring down at a screen all day, holding a lightweight spinning rod, spooled with 6# line, bouncing a 3” piece of plastic, hoping a 1 lb fish comes swimming by… Sorry, I’d rather go bowling! Mike

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If you’re gonna use 1, I would rotate each brake every season to help them wear evenly Mike

When in doubt, throw it out!! Mike

Ditto Original Power Pro braid Sunline Shooter or Sniper Mike

I do tournaments as a co angler and have 8 total but only use 6, also rigged differently. If you think You’re Good. You are. Mike

We can hook and land a 10# bass in open water with a 6ft lightweight spinning rod with 6# line casting an unweighted trick worm, and never think twice about it. Punching through 2 ft of matted hyacinth floating over a foot of submerged hydrilla, flipping a 2oz weight, attached to the right equipment is the same principle, just on the opposite end of the spectrum. Mike

I use 50# almost exclusively for frogs as it casts easier when I’m trying to make a long cast to the back of a pad or topped out surface vegetation. #65 for punching through topped out moderate to heavy of whatever but mostly hydrilla. #80 is for the thickest of areas of topped out to submerged hydrilla but mostly for hyacinth. I started using 80# during my first season as a B.A.S.S. Marshall when 2 of my pro’s were using it and been hooked since. I use it in the heaviest and thickest of cover. It gives the most penetration to get her head up and out quicker with less stress for her and me. It have better abrasion resistance as it takes longer to wear and fray. Another plus it’s harder to backlash when I screw up trying to make an excessive pitch. 80# is the equivalent to around 20# mono with 65# about 15 so using a specific reel isn’t that critical. The only caveat I have is my reel for the 80# (not so much for the #65) is deeper than it’s really needed since most presentations are flipping up close and personal as I lose a lot of line capacity compared to everything else. Most guys on here will shake thier head and say using 80# or some even will say 65# is overkill. In most situations in other parts of the country it is, but given the ideal conditions in my home water, especially this time of the year It’s always proven to be the right choice. Mike

I use 65# and 80# original Power Pro on both punch rigs and glad I do Mike

I don’t know… Something tells me a Detroit / Cleveland SB would be the worst thing the league would want. Nationally known product advertisers would run away as they think nobody would be interested enough to pay 300k for a 30 sec commercial except those 2 markets. I’m sure I’m wrong, but that was my first thought. Mike

I’ll wait awhile to drink my navy blue and orange coffee. It’s comin sooner than later. Before then your Hawaiian Blue will do. As long as it’s not puss yellow and green! Mike

If KC had anyone who could catch a ball especially with an open field behind them…. Mike

Ditto Mike

19.7, 22.98 and a 26.66 in 3 tournaments so far fishing as a co angler. 2 on the Big O and 1 on Istokpoga. Lucky enough to start strong but as the weather got hotter I got colder. Came close a few more times but haven’t gotten a full bag since. Mike

KC by 10 or more Mike

Regardless of the state you’re in they aren’t stupid, this isn’t anything new. They know what the value is. @GRiver post is common down here. If you get a recording clerk who doesn’t want to be bothered or don’t care you may get away with it, maybe not Mike

I use white exclusively for sight fishing bedding LM. To some degree sure, what you have confidence in is half the battle. But a complete color change or variation sometimes can and will make all the difference. Mike

Hey Steve! Glad to see you back! You never sent me any pants! ?? That’s ok, without you there would be no Rage anything.. More than a Fair trade off Be Well Mike

Given the waters I fish, black is my 3rd favorite plastic and 2nd favorite frog color Always have ready to go Mike

Apparently he was diagnosed with skin cancer about 4 yrs ago and it progressed. My family and I were just talking about taking a quick boat ride to Cabbage Key and get a cheeseburger in his honor. Mrs Mike has been a self proclaimed Parrot Head for years. Mike

@ol'crickety The girth on a LMB is more telling about the overall weight than the overall length. The easiest way is to compare the girth in relationship to where the tail starts on the end. A long fairly flat bass weighs a lot less than you realize as in your first picture. Even tho the fish in your 2nd is shorter I’d venture to say it’s heavier, and not by a little. Mike