Darold_31

I had the same problem, but I was using Vanish, which I love. I come to the conclusion that it was the no-stretch braid putting too much pressure on the leader. I tried other leaders and had the same results. What worked for me was to switch my main line to 14#trilene and still use 12# vanish on my leader. The braid was a little more generous on feel, but I have not broke a single time and I've caught fish up to 6# on it with no problem. It helped to have the stretch of a mono to absorb the hookset some. This is just what worked for me in the same situation. I almost give C.R. rigging b/c of the breaking. Give it a shot and let me know how it turned out for you. Darold

I'm still searching for that perfect partner for me. I do enjoy everyones thoughts and suggestions, but I have not met anyone from my immediate area yet. I fish Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. Maybe if I keep looking that perfect guy will find me. I'm starting to sound like a girl who got left at the alter or something. If anyone is in my area and would like to get together for a trip sometime then let me know.

Avid, I get a little down on motivation sometimes like everyone else. I try do something different to spice it up. It may be go to a lake I have never been to before or sometimes I'll go out and try to learn a new technique. The last time I got down, I went out on my home lake and only took my spinning rod and shaky head worm and made myself learn how to fish real deep. It brought more of the competiveness out of me to figure out how to catch them this way. It really only took me catching a few keepers to get my mind rejuvinated. It worked for me. If this doesn't help then go to partypoker.com and start playing no-limit texas holdem'. Good luck and I hope you get back in the groove. I enjoy seeing those pictures.

Hey guys Goggle eyes and rock bass are the same thing. They are shaped like a bream, but have a bigger mouth and are darker colored. Red Eye bass are like spotted bass and kentucky bass. They look like largemouth, but they have a toothpatch on their tongue and their color is usually a little lighter. Red Eyes also have....you guessed it RED EYES. They are very fun to catch and 1pounders are probably about average size depending on the body of water you fish. I know that Lake Lanier is full of big Spotted bass(3-7#ers). My home lake is full of those 1-3#ers.

Sal I went through the same thing when I was young. I could catch small fish out of the pond on artificial and all the hawgs would only eat perch. My suggestion on getting those young guys to learn to love artificial baits is give a topwater bait. I used to catch them real good on a Tiny Torpedo in the pond I fished. I think a frog-type bait or even an old Devil Horse would attract some good ones as well as give you a heart attack when they strike. The kids should get a kick out of seeing one explode on top. Good luck.

I mostly fish Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn. 2-3#'s is a good chunk. 3-6#'s is a good one. 6-10#'s gets a picture and anything over 10#'s gets a replica. My PB is 9.13lbs. and there are way bigger ones than that out there. Toledo and Sam rayburn are full of 1.5-3# fish.

I'm a Hamby man myself Mike. I'm not on the pro-staff, but maybe one day. They really do make a great product and I can't see my self without it. It saves on alot of carpet messes. Picking your partner up at the launch is a breeze, no worry about getting beached too well. They seem like a good company to be associated with. Where ya from Mike?

I use a X-tool, which has a grip like Avid's Boga grip. No harm is done at all. The pinchers on the end hold the fish very well and the scale is very accurate. I like using this one b/c it tells you which fish to cull in a tournament. You just put the corresponding float in each fishes mouth and when you catch and weigh #6 it tells you which one is the smallest.

I was wondering about trying a swimbait this year. Thanks for the input. I usually have most of my luck on a 4" Gene Larew Craw Worm black w/pink pinchers. That is what I caught my PB on last year. I also do well on big worms. I just haven't gotten mentally ready yet to drag around all night real slow. I'm hoping to get some buzzbait action or maybe some slow-rolling spinnerbait action. I'll let you guys know how it goes. Maybe I'll have one worthy of pictures.

I'm making my first night trip for the year this weekend. It's not my favorite way to fish, but I did catch my personal best last year in July at night. It was 9#'s 13ounces. I just haven't patterned them in a single night and tore em' up yet. Oh well, it helps pass the dog days I guess. I was just curious to see if you anyone else has had any success at night? Darold