K_Mac

6'6" spinning MF with 6# Yo-Zuri Hybrid. 7' MHF baitcast with 15# P-Line CXX. I'm good to go Kevin. 8-)

T9 that is the first compelling argument for using pork that I've seen in a long time. You are right that if you don't let them dry out they may last forever. 8-) I have always managed to find a way to let them dry out, even in wet weather. : That is probably the biggest reason I haven't use pork for longer than I want to think about. I must be getting old...

It has been mentioned a couple of times, but it is worth repeating; let the fish tell you what they want in regard to speed. Most of us who have used jigs much have had times while working a jig slowly, that we have picked up the jig and began to crank it back to the boat when WHAM, a fish that may have been eyeballing it could not help him/herself when it started to get away. I have had very good luck a couple of times this spring bouncing/swimming a heavy jig quickly down rocky banks. Slower is usually better, unless it is not...

The local hot water lake is loaded with catfish. I think I've caught them on every lure in my bag. I caught a big flat head on a Senko last fall. I saw one in the parking lot that was weighed at 45#. It was caught on a rattle trap being trolled for hybrid stripers.

Football shaped jig heads are better when working rock. Their shape keeps them from being pulled into rocky crevices. Finesse jigs cover a wide range; from very light shakeyheads to light skirted jig/trailer combos, to darter/grub combos, etc. I use a spinning rig for most finesse techniques. I generally use these techniques when a smaller bait or slower fall/presentation is needed. Good luck.

With a 3/4 oz wight you should be able to throw well into the next zip code. That assumes you are using a reel that is properly adjusted and a rod (7' or greater IMO) rated for 3/4 oz or better. I had a bent guide earlier this year that caused me grief until I figured out what was going on. The cast should be more like lobbing a hand grenade than firing a bullet. Good luck.

I don't have the cash to add the side/structure scan this year to my units, but I look forward to having it. Very cool. 8-)

I agree 100%, I would never purposely target a bedding fish... I do not intentionally target bedding bass either. As has been said, if you fish much this time of year you've likely caught spawning fish. I don't have any ethical problems with it if the fish are released immediately.

Yes it absolutely insane. I don't like deep crankbaits very much. This is coming from a guy who has spent hundreds of dollars this year on jigs and plastics. :-?

In Illinois the boat title and required registration stickers that must be displayed on the boat with the hull numbers, are handled by Dept. of Natural Resources. Motor title and registration are not required. The trailer title and licensing are handled by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

]LOL! I didn't think anyone would say this but I do the same thing! Go out in the boat for a week strait and you will think you are pulling a boat all the time! You guys are not alone. I find myself making bigger turns so not to cut the corner too close with the trailer, even when the trailer is at home in the driveway. I also am sometimes startled when I look in the mirrors and the boat isn't there... :-[

OK. You want honesty. My question is; what are you doing to break that many rods? I've fished mostly lower end rods my whole life, and broken two. Both times were do to dumb choices on my part. If you are not handling the rod properly, higher end will not keep you from breaking rods. Likely just the opposite will be true. BPS Extremes are on sale for $70 and the Pro Qualifier is on sale for $90. I use both rods regularly. The PQ is worth the extra $20. At the $100 price point, the selection gets much bigger. Good Luck.

I learned how to back a trailer using an SUV, so I had to use the side mirrors. Now I have a PU and find I use both methods. I'm a little faster looking over my shoulder, but it is nice to be able to use the side mirrors when needed. Most folks get in too big a hurry. Then they get flustered and then things go from bad to worse. Don't be afraid to take a second, pull up ,and start again.

This is a subject that comes up often. It really is a matter of choice. I am right handed and all of my reels are left. Find someone who fishes a LH reel and give it a try, or go to a tackle store and handle one there. Good luck.

Tackle Warehouse has the RI Sweet Beavers. Great baits. T-rigged, on a non-skirted football jig, and as a jig trailer. I have used the BPS knock-offs of the Beav and have had success with them as well.

I think that is a good rule of thumb...my granddaughter would not agree. ;D

I just received the same flier. I live near the St. Louis Mo. store. I have broken the budget for tackle this spring or I would be taking advantage of this great deal. 8-)

I have four grandchildren, ages seven, six, four, and two. All but the baby have been fishing in my boat. I have some simple rules: 1.They must wear a life jacket that fits well and is rated for their height/weight. 2. One adult per child. This means no more than two children at a time in the boat. 3. One rod per child. Adults can fish/help fish with that rod. 4. They stay off the decks unless an adult is on deck with them. 5. We will have fun and catch a fish. Small bluegills are a blessing when it comes to kids. A fish or two and a boat ride is a wonderful thing for a young child. It ain't bad for old PawPaw either. 8-) Shore fishing is a little easier, but requires the same level of focus as being in the boat. Enjoy.

I was thinking about this post. What can I say, I was going fishing, but the wind is blowing to 30mph and I don't have the will to fish in it. : Seasonal patterns are important. I know that right now jerkbaits, shallow cranks, lipless cranks, spinnerbaits/chatterbaits, Senkos, jigs, trigs, and shakeyheads are catching fish, and that fish are starting to move into shallow water in preparation to spawn. Those migration routes that you mentioned are keys to finding fish. Even if fish are very shallow they won't be far from deep water, in my experience. With this knowledge I can now focus on areas that meet these conditions. Just my thoughts. If I can't fish, I can talk about it... 8-)

+1 I have a couple of different hook sharpening stones and diamond hones. They all work well with a little practice. .daasaverda. is right that many will tell you to replace the hook, jig, whatever... Touching up the point on a hook is just part of fishing as far as I'm concerned. Just my $.02

With a grip scale an accurate weight can be taken in less time than it takes to take a photo for most of us. I see no reason to weigh a smaller fish, but no harm in weighing a larger one. I think knowing the exact weight of a big fish is a good thing.

I don't own any Shimano baitcast reels, but $70 for a Citica is too good a deal to pass up. If you don't like them, you can easily re-sell them for at least what you have in them.

For ponds and small lakes it is an old favorite. On light spinning tackle it is a good time.

I will pile on with the guys that advise map study before you start. Water temperature, water clarity, etc. can often be found from local fishing reports. This homework allows you to have a plan in place before you hit the water. That plan can be modified as conditions dictate, but having a plan will boost your confidence. Knowing what to look for when studying maps is a skill that takes experience. I am not as good as I would like to be in this area. Having good GPS lake maps on my boat has helped. Good luck. 8-)