Mike L

Yep As soon as I logged out! I have a charity tournament up coming and plan on trying one first as a stand alone and then add a skirt for more bulk if needed and go from there. I know you and others use it as a trailer on most moving baits, but since I flip/pitch or punch more than anything else that’s where it’ll get its most work. At least to start. Mike

Every time you mention the Menace I say to myself I gotta buy me some and never do. Doin it right now! ? Mike

For a few years now a Magnum or standard size UV Speed Worm (depending on conditions) has been my go to with a Rage Cut R a close second. When neither one is producing like I think it should a Big EZ or Skinny Dipper (again depending on conditions) comes out. 90% of my outings has been as a co angler in tournaments. Those plastics kinda level the playing field for me regardless of what my boater’s throwing. When flipping or pitching a Rage Bug almost always is my first choice but in water deeper than say 4 ft, a standard size Cut R can save the day. On top in scattered vegetation and flat water a modified prop bait is first. In heavy stuff the original Scum Frog is my choice. Mike

He’s 3rd Dane we’ve owed over the years and he’s not the biggest! We had a black (Zeus) that pushed 150! People get intimidated by their size, but once they get past that they soon realize they’re the best friend you could want for a lot reasons, which I’m sure your dad knows. Born and raised on the South Side and been a Bears fan since. I know, I know… Just don’t sleep on them going forward. Mike

As long as he goes away and never comes back. Mike

Butkus and Boo Pound for pound guess which one was the strongest! Mike

Not just in fishing…. The best decisions aren’t always the right decisions Mike

Must be a slow day for you guys Mike

If the line isn’t twisted spraying it on the reel should be all you need. You can pull some off, spray the spool and then spray on a non absorbent anything running it through while cranking back on. Tip… Always wait until it dries completely before casting again. Mike

I use a casting setup for everything which puts me squarely in the minority on here. Anyway, whenever I think about using one which is rare, I use a Loomis 843C with 12# Sniper. Mike

Very well said! Mike

I was like you when I started entering state and regional tournament trails. I didn’t have much and knew even less. I would read everything printed trying to decide what I thought I needed and what I may need. On my home water I pretty much knew what, when, where and how to use certain baits but once I left my “comfort zone” I had an awakening. But like you, when I signed up here and became a semi regular I learned again what I didn’t know. The folks on here are very very good at what they do so I took every recommendation and opinion to heart. Fast forward 12 years, I’m to the point now where I will rarely try something new. All the trail and error and money spent did help, but to a point. Point is sometimes the status quo could be a good thing too. Good Luck Mike

If any members here don’t have power, post or pm me and I will gather up some generators from family and friends that you’re more than welcome to use. We can meet up somewhere and I’ll get them to you. Mike

Thank You and Bless them all Especially those who didn’t come home. Mike

How’d everyone fair? My son lives on a barrier island just east of Melbourne and at its height he had high winds and very heavy rain but didn’t last long as it moved through quick comparatively speaking. Very little outside damage. He lives about 1/4 mile from the ocean and he could here waves crashing from his driveway! Being 1/4 of the intensity rating of Ian it could have been a lot worse. I hope everyone up there is well Mike

Got it Make sense, nice touch Mike

Jeff If I may, what and why would you write anything on the blank? Just curious Mike

One of the most overlooked “solutions” to a lot of struggles on the water. It’s also one of the easiest to remedy. Mike

Like most things, If done correctly with the right equipment in the right conditions it can be done safely. Mike

Ditto There is no way that will ever be implemented in any professional tournament at any level. People were up in arms over the Hydrowave units when they first appeared. At first the complaints were so loud and often that some wanted them banned also, how did that work out? Now they’re just considered an available tool that hardly even gets talked about anymore. In time all new technology won’t be either. Mike

The beginning of the year was a little slow for me as I only concentrated on qualifying for the BASS Nations Championship, a few BFL’s and fished in a few club tournaments. My top producers were the original Scum frog and a modified prop bait I played around with on top, Magnum UV Speed worm fir the middle and a Rage Craw on the bottom where most of the bigger girls came from. It’s been a mixed bag because of the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian. I couldn’t fish the B.A.S.S. Nations Florida State Championship or the Toyota Series because my family is still in the clean up and repair/rebuild stage down here. I passed on the last BFL because of the preparations we had to make. Things have started to get done and hopefully back to normal soon Mike

Nope Honestly, I didn’t even know he had a section on here. When I come on I just go to forum section and don’t really look around at anything else like I used to. I guess I should Mike

I always embed mine on a punch rig and have no problem sticking. It works just fine if you use a sharp quality hook. Mike

OP Questions like this invariably gets answers that run the gamut of what to use. We all come at it from what we’ve had success with which makes it hard to choose. My advice is to choose a few of the baits listed that you’re more familiar with and have confidence in and start from there cycling through each until you get onto a pattern. Me? My strong suit is power fishing in shallow heavy vegetation, the heavier the better. I’d start on the outside edges with a swim worm of your choice or a spinnerbait. Then slow down as you work your way in using high confidence t-rigged plastics covering as much water as you can. Good Luck Mike

Ditto Mike