Bluebasser86

Is the tension set really loose? I've seen reels make a bit of noise when the tension knob was set very loose. Can't remember the reason off the top of my head, but I have a Curado E5 that does that.

I carry dozens of spoons in my boat, mostly jigging spoons. One of my top secret baits this past winter was a 1oz casting spoon

I hate crankbaits, so I only carry 1 deep 3700 box. I have one section for magnum cranks, one for micro cranks, then all normal sized baits are organized by color (shad, chartreuse, craw, other).

I like the single hook idea. I've been using these in my attempt to learn blade baits. Only one noteworthy catch so far though (kind of).

No problem, I think everyone knows that it was no fault of your own that you weren't able to participate. Sorry I've been lazy getting things back out. I will get everything divided out and sent out next week.

First tournament I placed well in was at Table Rock. I got 4th fishing a 4" Yamamoto Cut Tail worm on a 1/16oz Slider head on 4lb fluorocarbon. I fish a Ned rig a lot, with a 1/16oz head on a ML rod, 10lb braid to a 8lb leader, I'd consider that pretty finesse. Biggest fish of the year so far was taken on a spinning rod with 8lb mono, 1/8oz shakyhead with a green pumpkin candy Zoom mag FINESSE worm, 7.43 pounds.

Zman TRD green pumpkin/orange on a 1/16oz head.

A wacky rigged senko is one of my best baits for getting those fish that I can see to bite. Better yet to make long cast and try to get them to bite before you see each other though.

Buzzbait Frog Popper Jitterbug Spinnerbait Bladed Jig Lipless crank All variations of crankbaits from Baby -1 to DD22's All different kinds of plastics from crappie tubes, Ned rigs, to 16" magnum worms Jigs of sizes and styles Jigging spoons Jerkbaits Inline spinner Swimbait The only bait I can think of that I fish often that I haven't caught a catfish on would be a spook and Plopper. Jigs have accounted for my largest catfish. Biggest on topwater was a 12lb channel cat on a frog in a pond through a weed bed, thought I had a state record bass. I caught nearly 3 dozen in a single night on a bladed jig a few summers ago. I was catching catfish nearly 6:1 over bass, but one of the 4 bass I caught that night was a 5 1/2 pounder so I was okay with it. A bladed jig is by far my best (worse?) catfish catching artificial.

Your dumb people are my job security.

I just use a brush jig for something that size.

Started working on the deck. Ran some PVC from back battery compartment to the front and ran the trolling motor wire through them. Also got the bilge pump installed. I ordered wire for the depthfinder and lights. Really starting to feel like it's getting close now.

Congrats! I only have 22 years left myself

Use a spinnerbait rod for that bait. That jig hook takes some power to drive home.

What weight? I use a little 1/4oz snootie jig with a 3/0 hook that is pretty stout. Kind of similar to a Bitsy Flip jig.

I won't be able to most likely, because hopefully the cylinder is replaced with a different model, but I can give a basic idea. It's a Bay Star steering system, with 2 "T" pieces that screw into the front of the cylinder (not my motor but this is the same system). The way my motor sits on a jackplate, if the motor is trimmed all the way up, the piece that screws into the cylinder will hit the transom and snap off, leaving a piece of threaded metal screwed into the cylinder. In the past I've been able to get the piece out with an easy out kit, but this time it actually snapped off also, leaving me with no possible way to remove the piece.

One thing I really like about the Berkley baits, those Fusion hooks are no joke. Always nice to buy a decently priced, quality bait with good hooks out of the box, but it's best they don't end up there.

Seems to work most of the time on smallmouth and walleye both. However, it only takes that one time that a smallmouth with a face full of trebles decides to freak out before you realize "most of the time", isn't good enough.

They look like healthy fish to me, I doubt the lake will miss a few. I had a guy do something similar at weigh in during a tournament a couple years ago. We'd already had words on the water when he didn't approve of me catching a keeper off "his spot", despite us being there first. I have a hard time biting my tongue with guys like that but I'd rather chew my tongue off than have someone do something stupid and end up on the news.

It will depend on the rod but I used a 7' MH/F for a frog rod for a lot of years and still do from my kayak.

I'd vote none of the above and go to Douglas or Lone Star. Lake Shawnee is probably about the same drive as Wolf and will be the best bite anywhere close right now if I were putting money on it. La Cygne should be going good right now too. Gardner has been tough and it's getting lots of pressure like always.

Strike King made a good one called the Thruster Tail but not sure they still do. Last ones I bought were from Academy, I believe by H2O or Wahoo.

I much prefer the Winn Grips on the Pro Tournament than I do cork handles.

If mine is long enough that it gets smashed down while I'm sleeping, I know it's time for a haircut. #1, 1/8" setting, run over it a few times, check the mirror for stragglers, guard off to clean up around the ears and sideburns, have the wife get the back of my neck. Whole process takes 5 minutes and I'm good for a week or so.

We've got the crazy static hair look down!