Bluebasser86

Eagle Claw has put out some really good short shank triple grips lately but the only place I can find them is Walmart oddly enough. They don't come in a bulk pack but are very reasonably priced at around $4.50 for a 12 pack.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12981-how-do-i-remove-a-hook-a-bass-has-swallowed/page-2 Get a thin pair of forceps or needlenose pliers and leaving hooks in a fish will be a thing of the past if you follow the diagram in the above post. It's often better for them to die the relatively fast death from blood loss than to slowly starve if the hook has their throat pinned shut anyways.

10lb Big Game, #4 Owner ST36 on the front and back.

You might be able to get away with something like a 6" Savage Gear Line Thru or 168 S Waver but those will be at the very top end of that rods abilities (most likely a little past it), but a little over shouldn't hurt it. If you're looking to get serious about it, you'll need a different setup though.

I've owned several pairs of Costas and currently have 2 and never had the issue you're describing. I've never had the green lenses either though.

This was just after the rain. There wasn't much going on during that downpour. I love fishing in rain, but when it gets that heavy it seems like they shut down until it stops. I had a 10 minute window directly after the rain that it was on fire. I'm not 100% sure since most of our lakes aren't 40' deep anywhere in them, but I've caught them in what is considered deeper water here with full spawning colors on.

I've got the first nice baitcasting setup I ever bought, a Curado 200B on a 7' M/F St.Croix Premier. Not really old but over 10 years old anyways. I've used it to do about everything, including catch my second biggest bass of the year so far last Thursday.

Yes...

Welcome!

Welcome!

I've heard of guys using them to chase schooling white bass around during the summertime.

If you cradle a walleye by the belly they almost never thrash around. Another good advertisement for a set of fish grippers. At least it doesn't look like it went in too far or in a bad spot other than being sensitive.

Electric shad is hands down my favorite.

I like to fish my wacky rigs on a similar spinning setup but with a braid main line and fluoro leader. I lose far fewer fish with it since I switched to braid and I can watch my line so much better now.

I have some on a jig rod in the 19lb test. The stretch isn't bad, sensitivity is great, cast great, it's just a really good all around line in my experience.

Got my second largest of the year so far on a buzzbait this past Thursday right after a torrential downpour that I got to thoroughly enjoy since my rain gear was in the truck.

Welcome to the nut house Chris! Lots of good, local info and knowledge here.

If you're losing baits due to the bail closing during casting or a knot coming undone you need to do something different with your tackle or techniques first. Either your line is too light or really old if a 1/4oz buzzbait is causing it to break when the bail closes, and a knot should never come undone/untied. Not trying to be a jerk about it, just giving my take on it. You can make a mold out of Plaster of Paris. There's some instructions how to do it if you look them up online. I've done it with jigs but it isn't easy to do. Good thing is, it's fairly inexpensive so if you mess up a couple trying to perfect it, you're not out much. They do break down eventually but you should be able to do a bunch of buzzbaits before it does.

Catfish will eat about anything if left in the water long enough, never heard of using Slim Jims though. This time of year if you can catch some good sized grasshoppers, some crawdads, or nightcrawlers those are going to be about your best options for catfish in a pond. If you want to use something easier to get though, cheap hotdogs are a proven channel cat catcher.

Welcome!

Anglers paradise is very nice, cabins are very reasonable, and the owner is a super nice guy. The monster bass in the pit are a nice touch too. Trophy Country is another one that's supposed to be really nice but never been there.

I have a BPS telescoping retriever that has paid for itself many times over, wouldn't be without it.

Cut carp works very well also if you can't get shad. Fresh cut bait has been proven time and time again to be better for big fish than prepared baits or anything rotten/smelly (livers).

I made my own buzzbaits for a minute. Problem is, how many different buzzbaits do you really need? How many do you lose? I go through maybe 1 or 2 buzzbaits a year and fish almost nothing but a 3/8oz black on black so it wasn't really worth buying all the supplies to make them to me.

The best buzzbait mod I ever made was switching to Cavitrons. 3/8oz black and black 95% of the time, no trailer or trailer hook. The only actual mod I may do is wire tie the skirt.