mcipinkie

If I'm in a body of water that has a fair population of big fish, and I'm in a derby, I'll always start out with a jig over plastic. You will, as a rule, get less bites, but better fish. Hot summer time, I'll gravitate to a big worm, Texas or Tokyo rigged. We have couple lakes around here that are big fish lakes. I'm throwing a jig for 4 or 5 bites a day, expecting 3 - 7 lb. bites. Sometimes I don't get 'em. We have a couple more lakes that are over populated with dinks. Sometimes, you just want to get bites. I'll go to one of these and throw little stuff. Drop shot, ned rig, Neko rig, shaky head. There I expect 50 bites a day that won't total 15 lbs. If I can, when fishing for money, I'm throwing the big jig. I feel confident that if I can get 6 bites, I'll get 5 in the boat and weigh good. Remember, I'm 74 years old. Fished my first tournament in 1975. It didn't come easy.

This was 2004.

You guys are making this far harder than it really is. To me, nothing is easier to fish than a jig. When a fish pulls on it, or swims off with it, you jerk. That's all there is to it. Watch your line. I see far more bites than I see. I like heavy jigs. Easier to pitch, easier to feel. My bread and butter jig is a 3/4 oz. Fish Boss Gary Klein Heavy Cover jig. Fish it 75% of the time. I use 1/2 oz most of the rest of time. Don't believe all the finesse crap. Stay with the big jigs. Learn to present them. Learn how they feel. I catch fish on the big jig 12 months out of the year from 6" deep to 15' deep. I ain't fishing any deeper than that. Seriously, pick you a jig size, stay with it. Learn how it feels. Once it's part of you, then you can try another. Unfortunately, every once in a while, the small jigs are what they want, but it's not the norm. Throw big jigs. Funny personal note: Every one dotes on 3/8 oz jigs. I don't own any. I don't know how many jigs I have between the boats, the truck, and the tackle room, but none are 3/8. If I want a full sized jig, I'll throw 1/2, preferably 3/4. If I want a small jig, I'll throw a 1/4. See more than I feel. Jim Beam sours mess up my typing.

We were on Dale Hollow. I don't know what hump they sat on.

I understand your statement, but the reason you (and I), if we are, are good jig fishermen is because we throw them. From 1/16 oz Ned rigs to 1 1/2 oz punch jigs, when I've got a jig on my line, I'm confident. When I don't what to do, I pick up a jig. Agree with you 100% on the tackle.

I'm not criticizing anyone, just putting out my beliefs. I'm 74 years old, been fishing all my life. Probably started 65-70 years ago. Fished my first bass tournament in 1975, so have some experience. I never have, nor never will, hire a guide. To me, it's not about catching fish. It's about figuring it out and finding them, then catching them Same way in hunting. I know guys that hire a guide. He puts them on a deer or turkey stand, and they shoot one, and call them selves hunters. Several years ago (2004), my tournament partner and I qualified for a national circuit classic in eastern Tennessee. We drove 600 plus miles over there, spent a week pre-fishing, swung for the fences and went home with our tails between our legs. The guys that won, and this was within the rules, hired a guide. He told them to sit right here, throw a brown jig across that hump for two days and you will win this tournament. They did and did win. Two new boats. Just didn't seem right. Now I understand the real world. A lot of guys don't have boats suitable to go fish a big lake. Don't have the experience, and don't want to spend the time it, to get out on Toledo Bend or Sam Rayburn or some giant body of water and catch fish, but not me. I'll earn it myself, or I won't have it. Just my $0.02. If you disagree, welcome to your opinion.

If I was throwing straight FC, and fishing tournaments hard again, I doubt 50 bucks a month would cover my line cost without a sponsor. I'd be respooling 4 - 10 rods at least 4 times a month. Used to with mono before FC and braid came out. Bought the big 3,000, or whatever they were, yard service spools. Another reason I went to braid & leader, but if I thought FC was the way to go, I would spend the money. Heck, that's one tank of gas in the truck or half a tank in boat.

Well, Hawg, Where are you going to finish your season? Grand Lake of the Cherokees, or Lake Ray Roberts? Why don't see how many people at those events back reel? I'll bet not many. Individual preference, of course. That's the point I was trying to make. Just because it works for Randy, or some other pro doesn't meant it will work for you. Maybe you could say the same thing about free spools, or graphite rods, or silent anti-reverse (Oops,sorry, you don't use those), fluorocarbon line, or any of the modern tackle we have now. Knuckle busters worked a long time ago, but they were improved. Individual preference, of course. That's the point I was trying to make. Just because it works for Randy, or some other pro doesn't meant it will work for you or me. I was probably back reeling when you were born, but I ain't now.

You ever been fishing? It's really fun.

If they weren't so ugly, I'd buy a BPS 6'-6 to 7'-0 medium Crankin Stick and a Pro Qualifier reel. Every one is in love with high dollar tackle. I'm probably better off financially than the average person, and this is what I throw jerk baits on. This and an old Daiwa VIP glass rod that isn't made any more. My Crankin' Sticks are the old one's with cork handles. Very fine rod for the money. I think they list under $100 and can be found for $70 or so. The PQ's are on sale now for $70. If you want to go up a little, look at Revo - X for $100. 6 or 7 to 1 works well. I wouldn't use the PQ reels where I was going to be hard on them. Flipping, pitching, punching, frogging, etc. where you shock the reel. For jerk baits, IMHO they are all you need unless you are hunting status.

You know, I like Randy. Watch almost all his videos. Missouri boy, not too far me. We fish some of the same lakes. Older guy so some commonality. But, whether it's Randy, or Jacob, or Edwin, or Ott, or KVD, or any other the big name pros, you need to learn from them, but fishing is different for different people. I doubt any of the other 4 pros I named agree with Randy on this issue and several others. Are they wrong, and Randy right? Not necessarily. Randy's ideas work for him, where he fishes, and how he fishes. We should give them a try and see. On this particular issue, I grew up back reeling (I'm 74, so didn't have much choice). Would never consider doing it again. I fish a lot of finesse stuff, and drags work well for me. I snagged a carp in the tail yesterday with a Neko rig on 8 lb. test. I guessed him at 30 lbs or more. Just let that Abu drag do its thing. Got him to the boat, reached down with my pliers, yanked the hook out his tail and away he went. Trying to back reel would have killed me. I try almost everything I see on the Tube that makes sense. Some of it works for me, some doesn't. You just have to apply what you see to what works for you. Keep in mind, assuming no sponsor conflicts, what these guys say works, does, at least for them. What an opportunity to learn, but there must be at least 50 guys on the Tube posting the best way to fish. Their ideas don't work for everyone.

I am not a believer in water temps as shown on your units. I have three on my boat. They all read differently. Today, my stern units read 50 and 51 most of the time. My bow unit read 48 to 49. Yes, I could make them all read the same, but I really don't care. I utilize my units to tell me relative temps: It's colder on the main lake than in the creeks, or vice versa. North side versus south side, etc. Exact temps are useless. There is no ice on lake so I know it's not that cold. The water temp here in Missouri is transitioning from early fall to late fall or early winter. Heck, I knew that without a gauge. I'm throwing lures appropriate for that transition. Wiggle Warts, Jerk Baits, Jigs, Drop Shot, Ned Rig, A-rig. More dependent on weather conditions than temperature. I have a friend, and sometimes tournament partner, that swears he won't throw a jig (prefers plastic) until the water is 55 or below. I give him a major dose when one depth finder says it's 55 and another says 57. The point I'm trying to make is that you can't make fishing an "if - then" flow chart. You have to use some general knowledge of the seasonable patterns and let your equipment help you.

I got to buy some Kool - Aid stock.

I agree with all the "Nones". I finally spit out the FC Kool - Aid. Once I finish what I have, I'm done with it. It's 90% advertising hype. I use braid with a leader on every rod, every lure, every technique. As far as I can tell, the benefits of FC, if any, and I don't think there, are pretty minimal when you only have 6 feet or so on your rod. I've gone back to Berkley Big Game as I run out of FC. I've still got a couple spools of 8 lb and 12 lb FC. When they are gone, back to mono. I might try some XT or XL just for hits and giggles. Now, I can't agree with Hawg and his 4 spools in 12 years, but I get at least a year out of a 1/4 lb. spool of Big Game. I use lots of 15, 20, and 25 but in short pieces. Flipping, pitching rods generally get about 6 ft. I want the knot outside the tip when I pitch. Pull bait rods generally get about 12'. 2 across the chest pulls. One non-scientific note of interest. Every one, including me, touts the abrasion resistance of FC. I got to looking, and I can't remember which brand of FC, but of one of good ones that I used was significantly larger in diameter than Big Game. That's how you get abrasion resistance. Don't start me on Tungsten flavored Kool - Aid.

If you are really in love with the original spooks, two mod's will make them much better: I do these on all original Spooks. 1. Unscrew the hook keepers and add two split rings between the keeper and the hook of your choice. Easy, peasy. No brainer. 2. Drill a hole in the back of the Spook, somewhere above the front hook. Put a single, or two if you want, SS ball bearings in the body of the Spook and epoxy the hole closed. I've done dozens this way. Depending on the particular bait , and the size of the ball you insert, the Spook makes the most fantastic sound as you walk it. You have to be cautious doing this. You can ruin lots of lures. I have 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 bearings. I try whatever I feel like and tape the hole up and see how the lure sits in the water before I epoxy the hole. Lots of trial and error since the old Spooks vary a lot. Or you could just use a Super Spook instead. I usually do.

All true, and add to that the fact that it's fast becoming Alabama rig season. What doesn't hurt now, will soon enough. I'm 74 years old, retired, fish 2 - 7 days a week. So far, I've been relatively injury free except for the pain throwing the A - rig.

I'm an old timer, obviously, but the best deep, real deep, jerk bait I've ever thrown is an old Smithwick long billed Rogue. I've still got a couple of old spoon billed Rebels also, but the Rogue catches more fish. You have to weight the snot out them to make them suspend, but on a long cast, you'll need a 15' push pole to retrieve then when they hang up. Hard to cast, wants to tumble like a gymnast. Comes through cover pretty well if you have soft hands. I've had days when they out fished everything else in the boat, and I have all the new, pretty, high dollar models. I assume they are still made. I have a bunch so haven't shopped for them in years.

I fished to day. 3/4 oz flipping jig. 50 lb. braid. 25 lb. Big Game (yes, Big Game, not FC), 7 up, 7 down, 1 - 1/2 hitch Alberto. Got hung about 10 - 15 ft. deep. Had to tie to a boat cleat and pull it loose with the TM. Bent the hook on a Fish Boss Gary Klein Heavy Cover Flipping jig. That's a big, heavy hook. Don't see any need to spend 3 - 4 minutes trying to tie an FG. Switched to drop shot. 10 lb Power Pro Slick, 8 lb FC leader. Same knot. When I tried the FG, I didn't see the knot as any significantly smaller than the Alberto. It's a little knot in little line. If you like it, tie it. It's your time and money, but I'll not be convinced it's anything that puts more fish in the boat. To me it's the kind of knot that you spend 3 - 4 minutes trying to tie, then have it slip when you cinch it down. In the heat of battle, stay simple. If I was convinced the FG knot had value, I tie about a 20 ft leader at home before I left for the lake, and hope I never had to re-tie on the water.

Add to my previous dissertation (rant?) - Melt the end with a lighter. I'm really going to do that in a 25 mph wind, in a high dollar tournament, in the rain, with my partner screaming at me.

You must be done with your bank account, or you don't have a lot of tackle, or Plano sponsors you. I have 27 - 3700's or equivalent in my Skeeter. Half of them are the old BPS double sided boxes. A few are the waterproof ones with the seal ring. I carry lots of stuff. Plus have twice that much more in the basement. Don't start on me. Every bit of it is absolutely essential. If you like them, more power to you, but I've looked at those boxes. Don't really see anything that works for me, as much stuff as I carry. Way too expensive. I have three double sided boxes with just jerk baits. Probably 30 - 40 in each box. If you could get 10 in one of the Edge boxes, I'd be surprised. I'd need 12 - 15 boxes just of jerk baits at $35 each. Say $400 in tackle boxes. That's 16 more Vision 110's.

I never have, and still don't, understand all this adoration of the FG knot. I tried it. Took forever to tie, even in my tackle room. Seems like the basic theory is wrap a bunch of thumb knots around the line, back and forth. If it slips, wrap some more. If it still slips, tie a bunch of half hitches on top of it. If it still slips, Super Glue it. I'd hate to even try to tie 25 fluoro carbon to 50 - 65 lb braid. I think a lot if it is just guys saying, "Oh, I tie an FG knot. It's the latest and greatest. That knot you tie is old fashioned." I tie a seven up, seven down Alberto. Tie one half hitch with the braid tag around the braid line. Use this knot for everything from 8 to 25 lb. test. I pull trees out of the water with the heavy line. I use braid and leaders for every rod, every reel, every lure, except when I use straight braid. A little clicky when it goes trough the guides, but I can bomb a lure out there as far as any one, or close enough to catch fish. I'm 74 years old, with bad eyes and degenerating small motor skills, and I can still tie the Alberto in 30 seconds or less. I watched some guy on YouTube, obviously a FG lover, and he took a minute after the had the line between his legs, between his toes, in his mouth, and in both hands. And he was not out the boat fighting time, wind, and waves. I like trying knots. If there is one out there, I'll try it. Went from the double-uni (still a d**n good knot) to the Alberto because I thought it better. If I though the FG would help me catch fish (THAT IS MY GOAL), I'd tie it, but No Thanks !! I even tried a Bimini Twist. Now there's a real knot.

Well, there are certainly worse props than that old Laser II and it does look in good shape. 24 pitch is in the right ball park. Still can't do anything but chit chat without some basic information. What boat is it? How old is it? What motor? How old? I assume a Mercury. Does it have a jack plate? Just guessing, absent any major damage to the boat, you've just got to get out and play with it. I would not start spending money randomly until I had at least a basic idea of what I was trying to fix. If it has a jack plate, you can do lots of adjusting. If it was mine, I'd put new plugs in it. I have found over the years that outboards like new plugs. Then I'd get in the water and have at it. Be careful if you haven't driven a fast boat before, but sooner or later, you'll be changing underwear. Have Fun !! Congratulations on buying the boat. It's always exciting to have a new, at least new to you, boat to play with. One more personal comment. Don't get caught up in speed and performance. You can squander money in a hurry trying to go a couple miles an hour faster, and find out you really didn't need it anyway. Get the boat out. Get comfortable with it, and then start tinkering. How much crap you put in the boat and how you load it can be major issues in how it performs. I had an old ZX200 Skeeter (2002). Heavy, it was a dog. Had the 2.6L HPDI. Just not enough motor. Half full of gas, lighten up the tackle store a little, and it ran like a bat. Main thing is to have fun.

Let me throw some fuel on the fire. Have you already bought this boat, or just test driving it? If you're test driving it, you need to have some with you that has a little more experience than you do when you're running the boat. It sounds like a relatively simple issue to solve, and if you like the boat, buy it. But, it could be anything. The boat could be a total POS. You haven't told us anything about the boat, except it's a Ranger. Not near enough information to provide you anything other than random chit - chat. If you've already bought it, get some info out to the guys on the board, take out a loan at the bank, and get after it.

They're a spinner bait. I throw them once in a while. Some times they catch fish. Some times they don't. I don't see them as any better or worse than any other of the brands, except they are easy to find with the orange kicker blade that some others.

You hear a lot of guys say this, including me, but you really don't need an expensive crank rod. I use a bunch of old Wright-McGill Rick Clunn fiberglass rods to crank with. They were about $80 new a long time ago. When Dick's quit selling them, they were 2 for $50. I can handle a 6XD with them with a little effort. That's really too much for those old soft rods, but they are wonderful to fish with. I'm sure all you big money spenders will flame me, but I'd buy BPS Cranking Sticks. Unfortunately, the new ones have that crappy handle. I liked the old ones better. Have a couple I use for buzz baits and swim jigs. Super rods. Other than that, you'll have to try and see what you like. All the rods mentioned above are good rods and would serve you well, but may not suit you and the way you fish. I'd buy the Powell and try it if I were going to spend that much.