Bankbeater

If I can, I try to replace the hooks with the same size and type. Then I don't have to worry about making the jerkbait too heavy or too light, and messing with the action.

I don't wacky rig much, but when I do I use a removable split shot about a foot above the hook. That way I don't need to tie on a new hook if the bass wants a different rate of fall.

Rubbing alcohol for metal bearings and Dawn for everything else.

Most of them are spooled with 15# Big Game. I use 10# Big Game for the lighter baits.

Based on the pics from the Zoom website, black grape is a very dark purple. Candy bug looks like black grape but with flakes in it.

Maybe @Fishin Dad, but I usually don't go lighter than 1/16 ounce.

I used a Rapala scale for years. I bought another Rapala about 2 years ago and a small clamp from Lowe's.

Yes, I can get a 1/16 Rooster Tail out about 30 feet. I did catch a very small bass, but it was not a good test since the bass was too small to even bend a UL rod.

I usually thumb through their flyers then they go into the recycle stack. I bought a Panfish Elite rod a few weeks back using gift cards. I have some rods and reels I wouldn't mind parting with as trade-ins, but I didn't want to trade in my equipment just to be told what I am looking for is out of stock.

I haven't seen any dogwoods blooming, but I have seen a bunch of algae blooms in the lakes.

There's no Italian in my family but my mom used to make the best spaghetti and lasagna. I'm not sure where she got the recipes from, but you could always tell when she was making them.

Give me a paper map and I'll be happy.

If I'm fishing a new lake, or one that I haven't been on in a while, I will use the sonar. If I fish the lake a lot and I know pretty much where the bass will likely be the sonar stays off or at home altogether.

I have to say largemouth.

No.

Very nice write up. Fishing in the cold is the worst. Even after you're back inside you can't get warm.

We had an oxbow lake here in Missouri that became infested with Asian carp after a flood. The DNR literally drug a net through the lake to catch the carp and then released the other fish back into the lake.

I've loaned some of my tools to other anglers out on the water, and I've helped younger anglers out when they asked for assistance. Nine times out of ten the younger folks need help with their reel.

Congratulations on the new boat. That was a good find.

That looks painful. Glad you got through it.

First finds of the year. I found the humpback in an exposed tree root, and the frog was up in a tree. It always amazes me how high up in the trees these baits are.

My teeth problems come in waves. I will get a couple of abscess teeth a few months apart and need root canals on them. Since it started warming up the problem I'm having is sinus pressure in my teeth.

I had to play around with my reels to figure out how to set them for pitching. I started out with tension loose, and the brakes at the lowest setting. I tightened everything up a little at a time. After a while when the bait got hard to pitch I backed off on the tension and brakes.

I have a BPS 3700 Extreme Qualifier, a 3600 Extreme Qualifier, and a BPS Satchel. The bag I take fishing depends on what type of fish I will be going after, and where I will be fishing. My Grandpa had a box like this, and early on my dad had a box like this. You couldn't leave it open in the jon boat. It took up too much room.

Great gift. Happy Anniversary!