Bluebasser86

I use Big Game and even when I'm launching spooks I don't have any problem setting hooks. Just crank into the fish when they hit and then lean into them when you feel the weight. Braid works fine too but then I'd be worried about ripping the hooks out during the fight.

I've seen guys show up at the dock with couple Zebco 33's and less tackle than I take in my kayak. There's no limit, as long as you have the entry fee. I will say that if you learn to back a trailer, you'll be way ahead of the game with most co-anglers.

I haven't found a way they wouldn't catch fish so far. When I'm flipping weeds the only bait decision I have to make is what color Pit Boss I'm going to use.

I can't see a temperature gauge but when the water is cold fish will often school very tightly.

I'd like to congratulate you just for catching a bass at Smithville. I've fished it twice and never had anything I'm 100% certain was a bite. I've heard it's gotten much better since I fished it last though. Great looking fish!

Our water in NE Kansas is mainly in the low 40's, so it's a pretty solid winter bite. Those warmer days they'll venture out a little further, but it's mostly been the areas near deeper water or fast dropoffs that have been most productive.

Well we've use Johnny's BBQ and La Caretta's both in the past and were alright. Seems like the BBQ place worked out a little better but I'm not picky about location. 6:30-7 probably works best for everyone I would guess so they have time to get off work and get somewhere.

In my experience, when they work, they excel. I've had good success with them and none of the problems others have had with them. Maybe I got lucky and bought the good ones.

This is the exact combo I was going to suggest and one that I personally own a couple times over. If you get the Ethos on sale they go for 40-50 so you can get pretty close to $100 for the combo.

The Xcaliber baits have been my favorite for a long time now. The RES are very good baits too.

I just prefer the larger size. Baitfish are typically larger that time of year.

Maybe like the 30th? Nothing during Christmas week works for me.

I have 4 and they're all going strong. They have metal gears instead of plastic like most cheap reels. They cast a mile too.

Oh we are, trust me, we're just sharing it with everyone else

They're great, but I prefer the 110 size. Good colors, sharp hooks, suspend well, great all around bait and a staple at most of the Ozark lakes. Norman flake and Spro blue are really popular, as is Cellmate, which is my personal favorite.

No such thing as too big for a walleye. When they're actively feeding, they'll eat some way oversized baits. Swimbaiters catch them fairly often on 6-8 inch (and probably bigger), baits even during the winter months. I think it's especially true when visibility is limited.

My squarebill box would probably make any super organized guys break out in a cold, nervous sweat. It's a deep 3700 size box, with somewhere around 75 baits, and only 3 dividers in the whole box. My jig boxes aren't much better. Loosely organized into similar colors, but head styles and sizes are all mixed up. I would have to carry way too many boxes to give everything it's own separate spot, it would never fit in my boat, (it barely does as is).

Another option that isn't often used but very effective is to switch to a spinning rod when the boat is moving to the left (if you reel left handed with a spinning reel anyways).

It's pretty tough to mess them up if you have any idea what you're doing. I used a dremel and ground off quite a bit. Ended up doubling the side to side range of motion and widened the glide up a lot.

I have quite a few bags of the 4" slim senko I bought on sale, they're noticeably thinner than a 4" senko.

I would say the proven track record and customer service are both pretty high up there on why people choose Shimano. They've been making a quality product for a lot of years and are willing to back it up. I'm also guessing that it feels like all people who like Shimano are "Fanboys", because those are the ones who are most vocal about it. I love all my Shimanos, but I also love my Lew's, Okuma, Daiwa, Pinnacle, H2O, and Pfluegars. Everyone I fish with owns some Shimanos, but they also own other brands and like them very much as well. I'm not married to any 1 brand, don't get any benefits for being brand loyal, so I buy what I think the best value and fit for my needs are. I think a lot of fishermen are moving towards that view of things too.

68 this morning when I got off work, 42 now back at work. It's headed your way so enjoy it while you can!

Any grass or brush in the pond? Could be a small school of crappie, bass, even catfish.

I don't fish them often but the 1/4oz is what I prefer when I do. It's just much easier to run over vegetation without fishing it too fast.

Especially when targeting whatever bites!