RoLo

The drag pressure that's specified represents the reel's "Max Drag" rather than a preset drag. The recommended drag setting is 1/4 to 1/3 of line-test, so 14-lb line would use a drag-setting of about 4-lbs. Instead of setting the drag mechanically, many anglers set the reel-drag instinctively, based on feel (not as hard as it might sound). Roger

Rapala was founded in Finland but at some point “Normark” came aboard, which is a multinational distributor. It's basically a blur, but I remember when Roland Martin was sponsored by Blue Fox, a company I believe originated in Ireland (not sure) but at some point Rapala and Blue Fox became affiliated and is now owned by Mepps (crazy eh).. I'm not aware of any negative traits of today's rapala versus the original rapala. Balsa wood is balsa wood, but as Josh pointed out, there might be some change in the lip. As an aside: Lauri's last name is pronounced "RAP-ala" and not 'ra-PAL-a' as we often hear. Roger

I’m sure everyone's familiar with the Roland Martin theme song “Great American Fisherman”. The anchor clip in that video shows Roland loosing his grip on a 10 to 12-lb bass that he's hoisting for the camera. If I have my facts straight, that bass was taken from the Florida Everglades (Levee 67-C) on a Charlies Crawfish (Roland was mat-busting with 3/4oz). I still have a few bags of Charlies worms and craws, and though they're not my favorites, Charlies plastics were good stuff. Roger

The 'addiction' may stem from man's inability to accept defeat from a creature that never had an original thought in its life. Roger

"PowerPro" was the first braided polyethylene I've ever used. I include the word "polyethylene" because before the introduction of Super Line I fished a lot with "braided dacron" & "braided nylon" in saltwater. Anyway for about 3 years I was in love with PowerPro (I'm sure many BR members recall). Then my wife and I began to experience inexplicable break-offs and lost a few good bass in the process. I told my wife that the fault was ours, and that she should monitor her line more closely. Well, I wound up eating crow because we eventually learned that we were dealing with a bad batch. PowerPro was above board and not only offered me a free 1500-yd spool, but admitted that they had a production problem with their bulk spools. I refused their offer and switched instead to Berkley Fireline Tracer Braid. I'm glad I did, because it was the little push I needed to discover a superior line. In any case, I'm willing to bet that you will not encounter a bad batch and will be happy with PowerPro. Roger

So what are you waiting for? Yank the remaining eye and redouble your production Roger

My brother is a SCUBA diver, and I remember him telling me that the fin spines on a sailcat can inject a neurotoxin. By now your immune system has probably produced antibodies, and you should be out of the woods (in any case, continue to monitor that hand), Roger

I'll drink to that "XL" stands for Xtra Limp, and it's very strong line to boot (used it exclusively about 50 years). I should add though, low-memory line is not a cure for birdnests Roger

No.

You never cease to amaze me Steve. . That is one FANTABULOUS achievement! Roger

So you're saying there's another option out there? Kidding aside, I do everything with spinning gear including frogging & swimbaiting : (6'6" - Med-Hvy - Fast - 10 to 20-lb - 1/4oz to 1oz) Though 50-lb braid is probably ideal for frogging, I use 30-lb Fireline Braid for everything. Roger

Having experimented with many brands of braided polyethylene, my recommendation would be Berkley Fireline Braid (not fused Fireline). With respect to 'line visibility', a leader is not necessary, in fact braid is so thin that line-watching can be difficult, which is why I use Berkley Fireline Tracer Braid If you're fishing in rocks or shellbeds then a fluoro leader might be needed for abrasion-resistance. Roger

I'll drink to that Roger

Excellent point. About two years ago, I offered that same scenario. I suggested that sick and injured baitfish that go "belly-up" become victims of "Reverse Countershading" They are now highly visible to predators, which dovetails nicely into "Survival Of The Fittest". This is speculation of course, but the conundrums conjured by Big Mama remind me of the card game called "Black Lady". This game factors out more luck than any card game I know. For instance, if you're dealt a truly bad hand in Black Lady, you have the unique opportunity to run the deck (i.e. reverse counter-shading).. Roger

To be sure, there's a right tool for every job. To be sure, one man's meat is another man's poison. Most of my fishing experience has been in saltwater, so I own a plethora of baitcasting/conventonal tackle. All the same, I intentionally restricted my freshwater arsenal to "spinning gear". To my mind, the need for a revolving-drum winch in freshwater, has never been confirmed. Lightest lure? No matter what the lightest lure might be cast on baitcasting gear, the same lure can be cast significantly farther on spinning tackle, and without any professional overruns Roger

Going further Lee, based on the sunlight prism, "red" is first hue to lose its identity. Red doesn't disappear as some line company's would have you believe, but turns an inky black in as little as a 3-ft depth in murky water. Based on light deprivation, "Orange" is the next color to lose its identity (goodbye orange craw-claws) followed by "Yellow". Smack dab in the center of the light specturm is "Green". To my mind at least, this might be why "Watermelon" is such as great compromise color. Long story short, if we anglers were confined to only three colors, we could cut a decent living using just "White", "Watermelon" & "Black" (light - medium - dark). Roger

Chatterbaits were phased out of my lure arsenal years ago, so I need to defer judgment on them. As to lure colors, White & Chartreuse, just like Pink & Yellow are light hues regarded as poor choices for deep water. Based on light deprivation, "BLUE" is the last hue in the color spectrum to lose its identity, This helps to shed some light on the inane popularity of "purple" throughout the 1970s, when the proverb of the decade was "Any color will work, as long as it's 'Purple'. This might also explain the inordinate preference for "Black-&-Blue" jigs. As I'm sure you know, Pickwick Lake is a top-rung Bronzeback fishery. If it were me I'd try to satisfy all lighting conditions with Pumpkin, Black, Smoke & Chartruese. Roger

I've found uses for a "Snap" alone, and uses for a "Swivel" alone, but have yet to find any use for a "Snap-Swivel". Roger,

Ole timers like Raul and myself have seen this question posted many times, but I must say, this is first time I remember reading so many similar replies, and I agree with the consensus opinion.. To help camouflage her animals from predators, Mother Nature has provided most fish, reptiles & amphibians with light-colored undersides. Light hues suggest the presence of sunshine, but when light hues appear where the sun doesn't shine, that's the work of a natural phenomenon known as “countershading”. You might say, making a topwater lure more difficult to see, actually gives it a more natural appearance. To that end, colors like White, Bone, Yellow and Clear, all represent natural belly colors. Other natural conditions that impair a bass’s ability to discern topwater creatures is a moderate surface ripple, twilight, dingy water & overcast skies. Indeed, all above conditions are associated with improved topwater fishing. Roger

As John stated, the size of the walker should really depend on the cadence you want. As for ease of walking, the Gunfish was designed to be more versatile than the Sammy, so it doesn't zigzag quite as well. Frankly, I prefer the Heddon Super Spook Jr. to both the others. Zigzag walkers are usually retrieved nonstop, but there are times when I like to pause the plug. When the Sammy is paused, the tail-section sinks and the lure resembles a bobber, Many anglers like this nose--up posture, but getting it "out of the hole" suppresses the initial zigzag. On gin-clear lakes with a slick surface my favorite is still the Rapala 4¼" Original Floater ("twitch & pause"). For short-stroke walking though, I'm an age-old addict of the Heddon 3.5" x 1/2oz Super Spook Jr. . RoLo

INCREDIBLE! On second thought, with your ability Dwight and with solid momentum in your court, I've actually come to expect it. Here's hoping for a 7¼- lb bronzeback (inside rouse) Roger

We were out of Camp Mack yesterday afternoon (May 10) and had Lake Kissimmee to ourselves. As mentioned by Warmer and FishinDaddy, we too found the most action along the outer weed-lines and in the pockets and trail mouths along the deep edge. We mostly used Power Worms & Lobsters in 5 to 6-ft of water. (Lemon Point - Sturm Island - North Cove) Roger

My favorite depth would be the most productive depth of the day for that body of water. On balance, this will normally fall within the 2 to 20-ft depth zone. The most productive depth zone in “manmade lakes" is typically deeper than in “natural lakes”. Furthermore, the most productive depth zone varies from season-to-season and also from lake-to-lake according to bottom topography, prevailing vegetation and forage base. Roger

Isn't "Lake Wales" misspelled?

We both use spinning tackle, braided line, river anchors and so on. But the similarity that amazes me most, is that you and I both place a 2-lb redear sunfish on the same pedestal as a 9-lb bass. We're both nuts :D . Rolo