Bluebasser86

I'd guess 8.5-9, very nice fish.

X2. Some days I've figured out what changes to make just by looking around at what's going on around me.

If all else fails a trick worm on a 1/8oz shakyhead will almost always get me a bite.

Probably one of the most popular new plastics to come out in the last few years. I have at least a dozen bags in the boat now and probably 50 more in the garage from when they were on sale for 1.99 at BPS last spring.

I'm actually pretty lucky and live within an hours drive of a couple power plant lakes so I do get to fish all winter long, it's just usually only one day a week and that's only if the wind cooperates.

You're missing out on a lot of fish that could be caught if you aren't fishing any spinning gear. Unless you fish nothing but heavy cover and dirty water there is no way I'd go fishing without at least a couple spinning outfits. A few of the lakes I fish I can fish all day and never pick up a casting rod because the fish are so finicky that spinning rods are the only way to present the baits they'll eat.

Well sounds like the Shimanos are solid like they usually are. I really like the look and feel of the Pfluegar but I've had 2 Supreme XT's and it took me less than a year to rip the guts out of both of them. Both times I was fishing a shakyhead and set the hook and the reels made a terrible grinding noise and then I couldn't even hardly fight the fish in and the reel was unusable after that. I'm afraid the same thing will happen with the Patriarch since they seem to be fairly similar. I'm sure I'll get to Bass Pro this week so I'll have a chance to hold all of them and talk to the guys there about what they hear and if any of them get returned often.

I've seen a shakyhead with a small, thin skirt available somewhere, just can't remember where. If I remember right it was similar to a spot remover head.

The Rage and Havoc line of baits have both become huge contributors to my annual fish catches, especially the Rage craw and Havoc Pit Boss.

No comment needed

Looked like a lot of fun. Going to have to make it to one of them sometime!

Taneycomo is a fun trip. With being only a few hours away I've been there several times and it's always a good time. Great place to take some youngsters or a family vacation with all the fish to be caught and all the other attractions close by. Hope to see some pictures from your trip.

Nice one. The water in your picture looks considerably softer than the water in our lakes right now

Generally the water is pretty dirty in the lakes I fish. If I can see 4-5 feet down then I consider it pretty clear. Stained if I can see a foot or two, muddy if I lose sight of my bait 6" or less.

We only have one near by every year and every year it has less and less tackle and more trips and boats. It's still alright to walk around and look but I've spent more on parking and entrance fees than I have actually in the expo the last few years.

I fish Bass Pro Stick-Os almost exclusively. They're tougher and I catch almost as many fish as an the original. If it was a tournament situation I'll spring for the GY senkos for the extra bites they'll get me.

Got a bunch of gift cards for Christmas and would really like to get a better reel for my shakyhead rod. Right now I have a Pfluegar Supreme MGX but I'd like to put it on my wacky rig rod and get a new one for my shakyhead rod. I'm really leaning towards the Patriarch or C14 but I know the other two are solid reels also. I have no bias towards either company so if anyone knows of a good deal on another good reel let me know.

I'm the opposite, I've owned both and no longer have the STX because I traded another member for another Revo S because I liked the feel of the S better than I did the STX. Haven't even touched one of the new models, these were last years reels.

Got my package in the mail a few days ago Bocabasser. It was a struggle but managed to keep myself from opening it until this morning He obviously did his research and got me some great baits. The slender pointer will get lots of use this spring, as will the Ninja spin and the swim jig. Not sure what brand the jig is but it looks very nice. Excited to use the swimbait, just got permission to fish a private lake with tons of docks and no shad so I'm sure this bluegill colored swimbait run along the edge of the docks will catch some little piggies. I just got a dedicated frog/slop rod so the frog will be a nice addition too.

That's it, less than 10 walking baits in my topwater box at any time.

Have before and would again. I've never had any problems with any of the display models I've bought.

Merry Christmas to all my fellow KC area members! Hope all is well and that you all have a great day! I'm less than an hour away from wrapping up my 12 hour shift then it's home to hopefully unwrap some new toys to play with on the water . Once deer season wraps up this week I will be back at it chasing them around at La Cygne and Wolf Creek until spring time

Merry Christmas to all! Only 6 more hours and I can leave work and start to enjoy the day and some time with my family

I have one and most of my fishing buddies have at least one if not a few of them. Nice reels for the money but the ones with just the magnetic brakes seem to be very touchy about their settings. If they aren't set just right they will backlash very badly.

Sammys, Xcaliber Jimmys, super spook Jr and regular spooks, and Rapala Skitter walks are the only walking baits I use.