K_Mac

I have used fluorocarbon for the last couple of years for all contact baits. I do not like braid and will use it only rarely. Line selection is very subjective like most tackle and equipment choices in bass fishing. I and many others am more confident using fluorocarbon for these techniques; others prefer braid or braid with a leader; still others use copolymer or mono. I am not sure what the financial incentives are for the pros to use any particular product. I will admit that if most are using something I may give it a try just for grins, but it is only on the water that preference can be determined.

My favorite pitching setup is a MXF. There are many places where a heavier rod is required, but if conditions allow I will always go with the lighter rod. Green Trout sometimes brute force is needed; more often good technique will get the job done. I certainly enjoy the fight more using as light as I can get away with. Use what works for you, and the rest of us will do the same.

All of the above are good choices. In muddy conditions I will always pitch or flip heavy cover in shallow water, even in extreme weather conditions-hot or cold. A dark jig or t-rigged plastic with or without a rattle would be my choice. Conventional wisdom says larger/louder is better; I have found that is not always the best. One of my best days ever was in very hot, and muddy shallow water pitching a t-rigged Smallie Beaver on a light weight (3/16 oz). My point is there are many ways to catch fish in all conditions. Good luck.

RW a friend and I drove through Memphis Thursday afternoon about 3:00 on the way to Laurel Mississippi. What a miserable trip. The trip took 14.5 hours. Our return trip today took 10.5 without getting in any hurry. What a difference indeed!

I have a couple of Presidents that have served me well for years. There are better, lighter reels, but no better value in my experience. With a little routine maintenance I expect mine to outlast me.

I am praying for your friend and his family, and all the lives that are impacted by this violence. That includes all who protect and serve.

None can love freedom heartily but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. John Milton

Welcome aboard TommyV. You don't mind jumping into the deep end do you?! Some of us, including me, get a little snarky at times but this is the best, most well mannered fishing site on the interweb. Enjoy.

If we go back to your original post in this thread you clearly imply that those of us who use fluorocarbon are simply fooled by the tackle manufacturers marketing. Also implied is your superiority in discerning such foolishness. Your criticism of others for relying on their own opinion seems a little hypocritical to me. For the record I don't care what line anyone uses other than the people whose opinions I trust. This is a discussion forum though. Why is it we can't discuss these things without pettiness?

I also think the test is interesting, but it will not influence my use of fluorocarbon. I have done my own testing on the water and prefer the way fluorocarbon transfers vibration. I resisted the rush to fluoro and don't really care much about having the latest and greatest gear. I have tried most of the other lines; I will continue to use fluorocarbon.

I have been on both sides-giving and receiving. That is the way it is supposed to work. Treating others as you would want them to treat you is still good advice. So is keeping the good you do to yourself. For sermon outlines pm me! Just kidding Mods...

I also use Red Label for most applications. I agree with RW that copolymer line is a good, cheap alternative to fluorocarbon. YZ Hybrid or P-Line CXX are excellent choices with far better abrasion resistance than Red Label.

bb I agree, though WHERE you look at it is the most important thing to consider IMO.

I am sorry for your loss. I pray that God give you and your family peace as you mourn and celebrate your mother.

Flipping and pitching are very different for me most of the time. Yes, when flipping heavy cover I will occasionally use a little bit of a pitch for extra distance. In this case a flipping stick is fine. When pitching I generally want a medium or medium-heavy power rod with a fast or extra fast, soft tip. I want a rod that loads easily for both distance and accuracy. My favorite jig rod for deeper water is heavy power-moderate action. There really is not a one-size-fits-all solution. See how easy it is to justify multiple combos...

Catt my home lake, Cedar, here in southern Illinois is no Lake Fork, but it is one of the best bass lakes in the state for the same reason. Slot limits and selective harvest work. The same arguments are used to make a case against hunting. There are currently more whitetail deer in Illinois than ever because of hunters. I don't care if someone is opposed to eating bass or venison. It's all good. Making emotional statements condemning those of us who do-not so much

This discussion always ends here. It is a very narrow view not supported by most knowledgeable fishermen and biologists. Selective harvest is an important method used to manage fish populations. With few exceptions the fishermen that frequent this site understand that catch and release is a critical practice. The idea that keeping a few small fish in a system with too many small fish will ruin bass fishing for my grandkids is as silly as it is wrong.

Dwight I visted the falls a few years ago during the winter. One of the most spectacular natural places I've ever been. I think it is more impressive then than in the summer. To say it is very cool would be an understatement!

It really depends on the buddy. I have a couple of friends (and my wife) who are very good fishermen, and when I fish with one of them I may catch more than alone. I certainly won't catch less because we will focus primarily on fishing, and they may find the answer before me. With most others the answer is no. I may have as good or better time, but I will have to spend time helping them instead of fishing. I am generally ok with that. Then there are the ones you take once...especially at night. Night bass fishing is not an entry level activity. Good luck!

I never had an opportunity to fish with grandparents. Some of my most treasured fishing memories are the last couple of times I went with my father. Because of his physical condition, our last trip was to a little pond owned by a friend. All we could catch were small bluegill. We could not have had a better time. I cleaned and fried those little fish for my parents, and will never forget the joy we had that day. All that to say this: It is the doing, not the catching that matters. I would give much to sit by my dad and watch a float again. Good luck.

Nick76 I respect your willingness to give what you know will be an unpopular view point. I also respect your commitment to doing the right thing based on an intelligent assessment of the facts as you know them. As I said in an earlier post this matter won't be decided here. We can't even all agree on catch and release!

Brent you are right that any system will only support a biomass dependent on many factors. You are also right that selective harvest can be a valuable method of keeping a system in balance. Where you are wrong in my opinion and Mb 1984's (our resident expert) among others, is how that selective harvest is managed. Eat a bunch of the 12" fish and leave those big ones time to grow!

A-Jay I use the delivery system, just a different brand! Folgers Black Silk is my current drug of choice.

The kids most at risk are the ones too young to be vaccinated. Measles is no threat to those vaccinated. EDIT: After some quick research; kids can be inoculated at between 12 and 15 months; second dose at 4-5 years; between doses vacine is 90-95% effective; vaccine is not 100% effective; as the percentage of vaccinated goes down the incidence of disease increases at a much higher percentage.

Redline this is just too political and divisive to last very long here. There are many that think big pharmaceutical companies and big government are not qualified or empowered to make decisions concerning the health their children. We will not solve that here.