Bluebasser86

Those are some nice whites Chris! That's great that you were able to get your son in on some fishing like that!

Congrats! That first tourny win is an awesome feeling!

People who talk loud in resturants, not everyone wants to hear what you have to say. Passive aggressive people, drives me crazy, especially at work. People who don't use their turn signals when changing lanes. When there is a traffic jam and people drive as far up in the closed lane as they can before trying to get over. People who play obnoixously loud music or have really loud exhaust systems on their cars.

Ring fry PM sent!

What is this "rained out" you speak of? I thought that's what they made rain gear for! That's too bad though, you had almost perfect timing to really catch some fish down there. At least your guide was understanding enough and a good enough buisnessman to comp you a free trip.

Tie the end to something solid and walk off enough line to be past the distance you can cast. Pull like you are trying to break off on a snag just up to the breaking point of your line. This will take all the coil out of you line and you can slowly walk towards where your line is tied up at to crank it back on tight, good as new!

Never fished a Powell but I love my Crucial spinning rod. I think for what you're wanting you could try a 7' 2" medium extra fast Crucial. Either that or a step up to the 7' 2" M/H in the drop shot version, it's rated 6-15lb test and 1/8-1/2 oz baits. Then you don't have to worry about dropping down to a rod that is a few inches shorter. I think the extra fast will be better for sensitivity with the baits you're talking about. I have to ask though, what is wrong with the rod you have? Sounds like you like and are used to fishing it, why don't you just keep that one?

I probably didn't give it a fair chance but I thought that stuff had terrible memory. It was strong but almost impossible to fish with when I tried it.

If it was a different model I'd take it off your hands for you. I hear all kinds of negatives about it but I have several mojos and I love them. I don't notice them being extremly tip heavy and not sensitive. I do notice I catch a lot of fish with them and they are a tough rod. I've had higher end rods up to custom built G-Loomis rods but for the price I love the mojos. Anyways off my soap box, I'd try the floor protector idea and see if you can get the balance you want.

Xcaliber makes great baits no doubt. I love the Xr50 in both the original model and the oneknocker. The Zell pop and new Erratic shad are both really good baits also. I haven't got to use their new cranks much yet but I'm sure they will be good baits like all the rest have been!

Grubs aren't exciting or flashy baits to fish. I think that is why you don't hear about them a lot. You are right that they are great baits for bass, and about anything else that will eat a lure. I would not feel comfortable going fishing without having some in the boat.

Nice fish, I wish T-shirt and short weather would get here already!

Very nice fish! Sounds like everyone had a lot of fun on the road trip!

I had one get into the trolling motor on me at Table Rock. I was prefishing and it was cold (water in the high 40's low 50's). Hooked a nice 5lber that came straight up and started doing laps around the trolling motor. When I tried to lean forward to get her loose I lost my balance and next thing I know the only part of me that is still touching the boat is my feet and my hands that have a deathgrip on the trolling motor head. Somehow my partner managed to stop laughing long enough to help pull me back into the boat and I landed the fish. Not a fun experience but it's funny to think of now!

I had that happen once when I hooked a 40+lb flathead on 10lb mono fishing for hybrids. I thought I broke off for a split second before my rod stopped and I felt the fish again. I was very lucky I had it hooked in the corner of the mouth because if the hook would have been in the hard part of the mouth by the fishes teeth I'm sure that slack line would have let the bucktail fall out.

People who think that because they have enough money for a ski boat/jet ski it automatically means they know how to operate one. Inconsiderate boat operators who run on plane within casting distace of people fishing. Kids throwing rocks in the water. People who crowd in on the spot you're fishing because you're catching fish. Having someone cruise up and drop the trolling motor right in front of where I was fishing. People who trash the lake, especially fishermen because it makes all of us look bad. I could go on and on but I think I'll stop before I get myself worked up.

I'm sure I'll see you out there. I like the Independence store better than the one in Olathe even though it's further away. I worked at Cabela's in KC in the fishing department for 5 years and trust me getting a paycheck home is hard to do!

There is still several around here. Olathe Bass Club, Backlashers, Leavenworth bass club and others are all around here. I used to fish with the leavenworth bass club and it's a good group of guys but you aren't going to win any money fishing club tournaments buddy!

Caught a 35lb grass carp on 6lb test fishing for bluegill with corn. Caught a 23lb flathead catfish on 4lb test with a Yo-Zuri Aile Killifish http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Zuri-Aile-Killifish-Lures-Color/dp/B004KW63TG This winter I caught 20+lb channel cat on 4lb test with a 2" Berkley Power Minnow on a 1/32oz jighead while fishing for crappie.

I've caught a lot of bass trolling minnows and nightcrawlers on a spinner rig for walleye. It's kind of like one of the pre-rigged creme worms with the beads and spinner in front only a bigger blade.

That looks more like a shad color than a bluegill from the picture. I'm sure it will work but if I was wanting a bluegill imitation I think I'd be a little irritated.

Sometimes dad really does know what he's talking about huh? At least you did get the big kicker fish!

There is nothing like those days you can do no wrong, nice fish!

I have my first one on the way from *** along with my first Mattlure soft gill swimbait. I'm hoping they will both be as good as I keep hearing!

They make an inexpensive sizing tool for rod tips. Just remove the tip like Delaware said and then just put the tip on the tool and see what size you need. It's fast and easy and then you can just order whatever size you need and the brand you want.