RoLo

Depends mainly on the depth you fish your swimbaits, and whether you're fishing a natural lake or manmade impoundment. Personally, I only fish swimbaits as a subsurface lure, and turn to other lures to cover the midwater zone (of course, they may be fished from top to bottom). Roger

PRECISELY I'd love to have HALF the money I spent/wasted on plastic craws. Despite the bass's pea-size brain, it's hard to believe that any bass would mistake our plastic toys for live crayfish. That said, I normally fish a Deps Twin-tail Grub (discontinued) or Strike King Rage Lobster but not for their crayfish simulation, but for their audible vibration. Roger

I've mastered Step 1 & Step 2, but it's Step 3 that eludes me Roger

The Original Poster did not specify "hard" poppers, yet every reply refers to a PLUG (why?). In most of the waters I ply, a hard popper (plug) would not move very far without getting fouled. When I think of "popper"; the first lure that POPS into my mind is the "Spro Bronzeye Popper". You can toss a popping frog wherever your heart desires Roger

I often compare the knot-strength of two different knots. It's a very basal task that requires no skill and no special apparatus other than one heavy-wire barrel swivel Simply tie the challenged knot to one of the swivel rings, then tie the challenger knot to the opposite swivel ring. Now pull the line ends apart until one of the two knots explodes. It's immaterial whether you use manual or mechanical force, and the numerical pressure involved is also immaterial (you're simply looking for the winning knot) Repeat this simple exercise until you are fully satisfied that you've determined which knot is stronger. In this same manner, you're also able to compare dry or wet strength, as well as the ability to compare the breaking strength of different lines, it's fail safe. If every fisherman performed this simple comparison there would be more answers than questions. Roger

interesting! Perhaps it hinges on indigenous diet. My buffies were taken from Brigantine, NJ (hung high for tenderizing enzymes). As an aside The golden eye ducks in Jersey habitually flew about 10 ft above the water surface (higher only when alarmed). Whereas the buffleheads flew juxta water surface, where their wing tips might occasionally tap the water. Roger

That tells me you've been out with some really HOT chicks

I meant that obsequiously, I've switched so many times I'm getting punch-drunk > It began with PowerPro (Dumped it after a bad batch - This was back in the day of Bantam1) > Eventually Berkley Trilene (A superb braided line, and still one of my favorites) > Eventually Seaguar Smackdown (Due to its thin diameter, but under heavy use the strands separated) > Today: Sufix 832 (I'm content with every aspect of Sufix 832) Roger

"Where are all the Illinois guys?" I'll bet they're in Illinois

Mallards from freshwater are very good, but I've taken mallards from saltwater marshes that tasted like the killifish they were eating Roger I will say this, golden eyes taste better than the buffleheads I've eaten Roger

You might want to check-out the Berkley Lightning Shock Rods Roger

You Win! Not for nothing, but I seen Doug shortly before his death. He was fishing the Kissimmee River (not the lake). It was hard to miss his tow car with the "Snake Lure" wrapper. Roger

Let me guess: "Catch Bass" & "Big Bass Magic" The chapter begins on page 121 "There's Magic In The Moon" When I was still living in Jersey, I spent a few years taking scrupulous lunar notes. I got within a hair's breadth of buying in, then everything fell apart in my hands. Roger

Today, or last month?

WEEDLESSNESS BINGO! In one word: "Weedlessness" Roger

Hannon would roll-over in his grave Roger

Probably the only time this bass enjoyed being caught

"How much unopened tackle do you have?" NONE Now, if you asked me how much "unused" tackle I have, I would shrivel in sheer embarrassment Roger

Spiffy! It has enough doors to accommodate the whole gang Roger

It's my opinion that most of the reel manufacturers make a highly competitive product. However, Quantum is one reel brand that I ambitiously avoid (not without cause) Roger

One 12v battery 'should' be adequate. On 2 separate occasions on Lake Kissimmee, I had to come in on my 12v electric motor. In both cases it pushed the Triton 175 for several miles. Now then, if your bucking a stiff wind, I wouldn't guarantee that a 12 or 24 will get you home. PS I stand corrected, my battery switch is set to draw from both the auxiliary battery & cranking battery. Roger

I'm sure your main interest is the comradery and some fishing action to boot. Though I live in Florida, if I were you I'd probably take my brother to Toledo Bend or Guntersville. Whatever you decide, have a great time Roger

"Skirts Unlimited" I had a couple beers there last night.

Hook style is largely a personal choice. If you place great emphasis on the fish's well-being, than your circle hook is perfect. I'm not a fan of the 'baitholder' style for 2 reasons: it's a long-shank hook and the shank-slices are above the action (more popular for live worms). The most popular shiner hook here in Florida is the Kahle hook, which I don't use. I'm probably breaking from the mob, but I prefer a short-shank bait hook like the Owner 4/0 SSW 5180 hook (triangular point not conical) Roger

There are 3 primary methods for hooking baitfish, and each method has its own Pros & Cons: HEAD-HOOKING > A 'must' for baitfish in tow Trolling and Casting & retrieving (Otherwise the baitfish is drowned) > Lowest baitfish activity Mouth-hooking dampens body motion, but extends baitfish longevity > Longest baitfish longevity Head weighting is best tolerated by bait - Tail-weighting exhausts the baitfish > Best hook-fastness Skull-hooked dead-bait is best - Snout gristle & lip-hooking are a distant 2nd > Best hook-up ratio Bass typically seize their prey head-first - No, not always BACK-HOOKING > Average baitfish activity > Average baitfish longevity > Average hook-fastness > Average hook-up ratio TAIL-HOOKING > Best for freelining, lazy drifts & coaxing baitfish to swim under a mat > Best baitfish activity Triggers a natural escape response > Shortest baitfish longevity Hyperactivity shortens their life on the hook > Worst hook-fastness Cast-offs & escapees are most common > Worst hook-up ratio Roger