BassinSoldier

1- Lipless cranks- This is odd since I am from Florida...In 18 years of living there I caught one maybe two fish on a rattletrap. I have tried burning them, popping them off of grass, yo-yo ing them, everything, and still can't catch a cold with one. 2- Basstrix style swimbaits. Again, have given them a fair shake on Ketucky lake even when bass are popping schools of shad, and have yet to catch anything on one. Other than those two evrything else works pretty well for me (especially when I'm not in Iraq )

I have owned 2 procaster 100H's an older procaster (or triforce, I don't remember which for sure) back when I was in my teens, and most recently a hyper speed TD Zillion...I have loved all of them. (I too like their brakes)

My .02....Wait until it's midday and the sun is good, high, and bright, find a steep rocky shoreline and hit it with a crankbait that dives deep enough to bounce around on the rocks. Once you've found some fish like this slow down and hit it with a football jig or shaky head. When you go back write back and let us know how ya did!

My choice for that price range would be a Daiwa Procaster 100H. I had one for years and it is STILL a workhorse. I think they are kinda hard to find now, but if you can find one it's a great reel, and well within your price range. (MY PX HAD THEM MARKED AT 30 BUCKS FOR SOME REASON! IF I HAD MORE MONEY AT THE TIME I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THEM ALL!!!)

Idunno what everyone else's take will be on this one, but I actually like to skip power pro braid under docks. (Ever try skipping a toad under a dock? Thats fun!)

Actually Landed- A jack crevalle that probably went 12-14 lbs or so on my med. heavy rod and daiwa procaster. I had waded out onto a sandbar and actually had to run after the fish so my rod didn't snap. Hooked- Med. heavy, Team Daiwa S reel, fishing a bucktail jig around dock pilings for reds and snook. Long story short I hung into a tarpon that looked like it was as long as I am tall. I fought it on 20lb line with 50lb fluoro leader...It didn't break me off but threw the hook after about a 2minute fight. It ruined the reel...bout 150 bucks down the drain. I'll never forget how bad I was shaking from that encounter though. I was shivering like I had seen a ghost!

Conrats Kent! You have been married longer than I have been alive! ;D How awesome is that!?

Hey! Who took the Alabama logo off of the guys hat in the redneck bassboat pic!?

I have the same reel and I bank fish quite a bit. I have learned the fine art of sticking my rod under my arm as I go to land my fish, but I wouldn't worry too much about a couple scratches. If you don't plan on selling it, who cares? I still love that reel b.t.w...Can't say enough good things about it!

Get a backpack dude!! ;D Seriously though, nice fish!

If nothing else, check out the reports on kentuckylake.com. I would have somethig for ya but I aint around to fish it right now. Hope the reports help tho!

I just wanted to say thanks to all the great folks out there. As a soldier it means a lot to have a great buncha' guys like there are here for encouragement and a lil taste of home when it can be provided. I'd like to say a special thanks to guys like Rondef and The Rooster for sending tivo'd shows, magazines, and snacks overseas! I'm sure others like MSG_Al and fishhard feel the same way. So thanks a lot for everything. I can't wait to get home, and for those of you coming to Kentucky Lake in '09, I'll see you there!

70 with a lil bit of rain sounds like a good formula for all day topwater action to me...

Great to hear Russ! It has been a week and 1 day since I had a cig, and it's not bothering me anymore, even when I am around people who are smoking. It actually stinks like crazy now when I am around them. I can't believe I went around smelling like an ashtray for 10 years. Anyway, way to go man! Keep on keepin on! -Joe

I have a hyperspeed zillion and I love it. I used it for 3 outings while I was home on leave in Sept. It casted flawlessly ( directly into about a 20mph wind without even getting an overrun), and the retrieve...32" of line recovery per handle turn??? Crazy man...If you like fishing buzzbaits, toads, or anything else that would benefit from a quick gear ratio lke this one has you got yourself a gem. Love this reel!! LOVE IT!! I HATE IRAQ!!! I need to fish now!!!

I was gonna ask if you were at Orange or Lochloosa, that looked more like Orange to me. Anybody pulled any hawgs outta there lately?

Looks like u had a blast, way to go Ron. Nice sunny there too. U should post that pic in another thread and title it "how much do u think she weighs?" ;D

Way to go Russ! I'm on day 2 and I actually ain't having any really bad cravings. I am taking a generic form of Zyban...the anonymous military quit smoking drug.

To me it depends on what you're doing with the bait. If I am punching matted grass or fishing heavy vegetation I will peg my weight because the grass will get pinched between the weight and the worm. Any other time I won't peg my weight i.e. wood, rocks or any other kinda cover. So just like evrything else in bass fishing, it depends on the conditions you face. Hope this helps.

I just threw up a lot :'(

Too bad I missed that!! I woulda loved it! ;D

Nice looking spot man...makes me miss home! Way to go with the catchin, looks like it was a lot of fun!

Russ I'm working on quitting too man, with the patch tho. I asked for the Chantix but the doc here said they won't issue it here because of the possibility of suicidal tendencies as a side effect and everyone here has a gun...so that was a no go. I got the patch and some other kinda pills tho and I am doing fairly well. Hang in there man, you can do it!

Amberbock is still one of my favorites too, especially when price is involved! As you said," It may not be trendy, but i like the taste and that is what I drink beer for." I couldn't have worded it better myself man! To each his own, right?

clean slate, agreed...Welcome to the forums. I come down to Palm Bay FL about once a year...maybe we can meet up and do some fishin!