Mike L

I would have tossed it as soon as I saw it regardless of how it was stored, looked or felt

Confidence in 30+ yr old line is in the mind of the beholder



Mike

For treble hooked hard baits I run it from the hook side.
For single hooks run it up from the point side.

All regardless of line type, size, strength or technique




Mike

Soap and water and KVD Line & Lure in the guides. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike

Tommy’s passing has left a hole on this board that can never be filled.
He and I built as good a relationship as you can have with someone built through years of posts on here and personal conversations.
I will always consider him a friend even tho we never met, which I truly regret. 
 
Rest easy you “Crazy Cajun”!

 
 
 
Mike

Not really 
One you decide what length and ring size you like it’s only a matter of picking one that you enjoy the most being machine or hand made. 
 
Cigars are a lot like others things, you can get deep into it trying to understand the little differences of each make and model but certainly not required 

Pick up a few in your price range and try them out. It won’t take long to settle on one you’ll like the most. 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike
 

Just a guess, but you’re ripping holes because of the combination of a non forgiving XF rod, heavy braid and locked down drag.
I’d say you’re ripping her on the set because of the power and setup of your combo. 

I use 50# original Power Pro only because it is a 4 strand and can cut through pad stems better when it’s needed than a more manageable 8, that’s the only reason. 
I’ve had great luck with 40# also. 
 
As Dwight said, the strength of the line isn’t your problem 
 
I too use a heavy action rod but with a  slower action. 
I tried a XF but now delegate those to bottom contact presentations only. 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike

I don’t use mono for anything, but the knot I use more often is the San Diego Jam. 

I use a Palomar for all braid knots with the only exception for a bottom contact presentation. 

Personally I don’t use anymore line to tie it than any other as I pull the main line to tighten before cinching. 
Some on here have said in the past that is the wrong way to do it, but I’ve been doing it that way for years and have never had a problem or use an inordinate amount of line. 
 
You’ll have more of a problem with braid if you twist the loop before passing your hook through 
 
 
 
Mike
 
 
 
 
 

Pat
Don’t know what your favorite is, but if you haven’t already give the Culprit Fax Max a try. 

Trust Me
 
 
Nadine’s sister Bertha Loves those Magnum UV Speed Worms!!

It’s gonna happen, eventually to everyone. 
My biggest problem lately is getting the same power in my hook sets as I get older. 
Some part is because of back surgeries but not all, fortunately not to a critical degree..Yet
 
Reaction time to the most subtle of hits has gone down some I think but really can’t be sure. 
I still swing when I feel it, but don’t know how long it took. 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike
 
 

The biggest thing for me is that I’ve learned that it is possible to make friends without actually meeting them and reaffirming that there really are kind people in this world. 
 
Other the obvious (at least for me) 
Learning about different baits that peaked my interest…
Validation that I bought quality equipment..
Etc
 
There are many things that I didn’t realize as much before signing on….
*The distaine by so many of fluorocarbon and the misinformation about it…
*The misinformation of tournament fishing…
*The amount of folks who use leaders…
*The amount of folks who use spinning gear…
*The pros and cons of Kyack fishing…
*The passion that some have of certain brands…
There are more but you get the gist. 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike
 

 

Assuming I’m not sight fishing, always start with a Magnum UV Speed Worm…
If a smaller profile is needed then a Rage Cut R before I change direction. 
I use them as search bait.
 
When switching to bottom contact, Rage Bug or full sized Brush Hog depending on cover. 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike

I’m a 2nd generation Sicilian American which in a lot of way’s especially when it comes to food, is a different culture. 
 
There really wasn’t any formal names for most of what was prepared.
Oh sure we had Lasagna, Tortellini, home made sausage, etc etc
But the ones I would call favorite are written down on small yellowed scraps of paper that my Ma and Grandma wrote down for my Irish wife. 

Along with my Lasagna, Fettuccine, Linguine, Canoli’s etc.
Give me some Gigillane and couchidatti cookies, boboluche (snails worked in sauce), Arancini (rice balls) Red Prawns, Ricotta Salad, Stuffed Eggplant…
 
God, I miss those women 
 
 
Mike 

I went to the Sarasota Grand Prix off Lido Key Fla one year to watch an off shore race. Don’t remember how fast they were going but it was scary just watching them. 
 
After qualifying for the BFL All American as a co angler a few years ago, I drew a boater who warned me that he intended to open it up because he knew his practice areas will be filled before we got there. 
 
He had a 21ft Bullet. 
As we maneuvered our way to the starting position, he put on a goalie mask, reached over and slapped me on the shoulder and said, “Hold On”!!
I knew what was coming 
 
At one point I tried to look over and see the speedometer but was afraid I wouldn’t be able to straighten my neck again!!
It felt like I gained 20 yrs as every wrinkle on face seemed to straightened out. 
 
When we got to our spot I asked him how fast we went and he said 89! and it still had more!!
It took me a few minutes to collect myself before I got off the seat. 
 
This is in a boat with 2 men and all our gear. He figured it would top out at 93
 
 
 
Mike

Tom Mann Jr
Robert Alfano
Don Hatcher
Larry Wright
Buck Durrance
Sandy Melvin
Steve Daniel
 
I fished with each as a co angler in tournaments at one time or another on the Lake and recommend them all
 
Do a search on here and you’ll get pages of others
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mike

High water (by Okeechobee standards) will spread them out which can make it tougher especially if you don’t know the lake. 
But a guide will know. 
 
 
 
 
Mike

Excellent rods!
Buy with confidence 
 
 
 
 
Mike

It’s one of the considerations we need to focus on all the time, but it’s also one of things that most folks don’t. 
 
We get so hung up on location, size, action and color to form a pattern but sometimes the rof can be the only change needed. 
 
 
 
Mike
 

If you're walking treble hooked baits sharpen or replace them, even if new out of the package. Don't trust that they're good to go just because they're new.
If you're walking a frog of any size, style or brand hold your set till you feel the fish...It's not easy I know.
But if you're walking it good you should have plenty of slack as is, just give it a second more.
Mike