Mike L

The action of the 843C GLX is darn near perfect for small trebled hook hard baits. But given the fact it is one of my most sensitive rods, I use it mostly for certain bottom contact plastic presentations which it excels at. I rarely throw square bills, but when I do I use a Phenix M1. Mike

For me the GLX MBR 843C with 12# Sniper is one of my go to combos that I’ve been using for unweighted plastics almost exclusively lately. Mike

Most everywhere I fish down here is considered shallow. @Catt said it best Mike

Ditto Ditto Ditto As I’ve posted many many times on here The Zoom UV Speed Worm is and has been my #1 plastic in most every scenario. As @Catt said using 1/8 and skimming on top can be one, if not the most deadly top water soft plastic bait you can use. Personally, in light to moderately heavy topped out vegetation an unweighted Magnum stands alone. Try them both ways, you can thank us later ?? Mike

Ditto Down here the switch will turn on tomorrow evening. OP SE Louisiana weather and lake fish patterns are not that much different than here in SW Florida. A day or 2 before is usually the best depending on the strength of the front and expected temperature swings. After it passes just stay home for 2 Mike

Darnold In my opinion, A lot of times folks here speak in generalities a lot which can cause confusion when someone is looking for advice or just being curious of what others do in like situations. With thousands of members from all over the country fishing in vastly different waters with different levels of experience and expertise, its almost impossible to come to a consensus about what is “normal wisdom” Good thread Mike

Exactly Right! I don’t use a spinning anything. I just don’t feel it gives me any advantage regardless of what I’m throwing or the weight I’m using and that includes any weightless presentation. Don’t limit yourself to only one way of thinking. Do what’s best for You Mike

How can you be doing something wrong and consider changing anything if you’re catching fish? As far as conventional thinking goes, I really don’t agree with the usual conventional thinking of the slower you fish the more you catch. That was talked about on another thread this week that I didn’t join in on because I didn’t want to muddy the waters ? Mike

Honestly I don’t remember! ? I print everything except fir my signature which isn’t the prettiest and fir some reason never very consistent. Mike

There are ponds and canals all over my local area. Most have homes all around, some with posted signs but most do not. Some of the best spots are overgrown vacant lots with homes on both sides that are owned by absent owners. They can be hard to get through sometimes but usually with a little effort you can make it. As long as I’m not walking through or standing on someone’s lawn I go. Mike

Every 6 months depending on how active I am I only do the basics. If I sense a deeper cleaning and lube is required where I have to turn a screw, remove a washer, dislodge a spring or pop a bearing I’m not messin with it. I leave that to the professionals Mike

The maintenance/repair ship USS Vestal. Mike

Randy, Unfortunately life altering events can and do have an effect on relationships regardless of how long a couple has been together. Im sorry to hear you guys are contemplating splitting up. Staying together for the sake of kids or leaving because they’re not home anymore doesn’t do anyone any good. I certainly hope you too can come together and work out the underlying feelings you both are having and get back to the point you both were before the kids came alone. If you both want it to happen then it will. I completely agree with @J Francho sometimes just talking it out with a 3rd party can help you both to come an agreement or at least realize you both are better together. All that said, it does no one any good living an unhappy life. I wish you the best going forward. Mike

My Dad and his 2 brothers joined up Dec 8th. My Uncle told me that they made the decision together that morning and all 3 went to the recruiting office together. He said when they got there the line was around the block to sign up. My Dad joined the Army as a combat engineer and built and rebuilt runway’s in the Azores and Aleutian Islands. Uncle Salvatore joined the Marines and fought in New Guinea. Uncle Nick joined the Navy but always refused to talk about it. Mike

One of the advantages of being a Marshall/Official is the little things that you see and learn without a word said. A game I play in my head is to match what they’re doing with what I would do, where I would go compared to where he went, how they fish certain baits in different water during the course of the day and especially how they break the lakes down looking for and establishing a pattern. More than once on my #1 and 1a lakes I’d bet money where they would go and what they would do given the time of the day and conditions. Sometimes I guess right and sometimes completely wrong. A lot of times I’d sit back and say to myself “why would he stop here and do that”?? Trust me when I tell you most of these guys are no joke! Mike

Don’t own a boat and never have. 2015 Audi Q5 SUV I just lay them down one end to the other Mike

Absolutely is I keep saying it’s demise is extremely exaggerated. Glad someone agrees Mike

My Tatula casting rod has them and never had a problem Mike

Yep, you’re right! I have a CD of it and play it every year. That song will be in my head all day now! ? Mike

It’s a Wonderful Life Hard rock, Coco and Joe Suzy Snowflake (It’s a Chicago thing from the 60’s) Mike

Have a great time and give a full report !’ You’re going at almost the perfect time, as they are starting to bed especially on the southern end but I’m sure your guide will know that. Mike

Good Info Thanks!! Mike

One of the biggest mistakes folks make when looking for another rod is to put too much credence in how it’s labeled. Ya gonna inspect it, feel it, bend it, smell it Sure, if you’re looking for a punch stick or a bfs you already know what you’re gonna handle or just walk away from. My point is if you use what is says as purely a GUIDE to get you close to the action, power and components for the techniques you’re looking for, a lot more regrets and buyer’s remorse can be avoided. Mike

If you think about it, report back when you can about how the spin went for you. I’d like to get some first hand on the water info if you don’t mind. Thanks Mike

Sorry to hear! You all take care of yourselves! Gotta Love that kid!! Mike