RoLo

I'll drink to that The In-Fisherman magazine was launched by Al and Ron, however 'Lindner's Angling Edge' and the angling videos are headed up chiefly by Al and Jim Lindner. Jim was that skinny little kid in the early magazines Roger

I'll drink to that The In-Fisherman magazine was launched by Al and Ron, however 'Lindner's Angling Edge' and the angling videos are headed up chiefly by Al and Jim Lindner. Jim was that skinny little kid in the early magazines Roger

I'll bet you're already throwing jigs To my mind anyway, the jig is not the lure, but merely the weighting system. A jig is the coming together of a hook and sinker, which are available as Skirted, Unskirted, Weedless, Exposed hook, Finesse jigs, Hair jigs, Marabou jigs, ad nauseam. Since the trailer is the actual lure, it usually determines how the jig is fished. For instance, a jig & worm is normally fished different than a jig & swimbait. Though I never flip and rarely pitch, my next cast may be 8 ft long or 100 ft long Roger

WOW...that is one incredible Spot!! Roger

Ditto Roger

Whether you weigh 100 lbs soaking wet or 300 lbs in the buff, if the reel drag is properly preset, you'll have a real tough time busting the line during the hook-set (unless nicked or frayed). In addition to line-failure, the other bugbear is knot slippage'. Although knot slippage is commonly referred to as knot-failure, it's typically the result of 'user-failure'. None of the popular fishing knots are prone to slipping, that is, if the user remembers to PRE-SNUG the knot before the final tightening. This common oversight is what inspired the improved clinch knot. When the standard clinch knot is not tightly pre-snugged, it is highly prone to slipping. Evidence of operator-failure is a line-end that looks like a pig tail Not for nothing, I use the Uni-Knot for all applications and line materials. 'Uni' stands for Universal, the same concept underlying the blood-knot and snelled hooks. The next time my uni-knot slips in braided line will be my first time. Roger

Whether you weigh 100 lbs soaking wet or 300 lbs in the buff, if the reel drag is properly preset, you'll have a real tough time busting the line during the hook-set (unless nicked or frayed). In addition to line-failure, the other bugbear is knot slippage'. Although knot slippage is commonly referred to as knot-failure, it's typically the result of 'user-failure'. None of the popular fishing knots are prone to slipping, that is, if the user remembers to PRE-SNUG the knot before the final tightening. This common oversight is what inspired the improved clinch knot. When the standard clinch knot is not tightly pre-snugged, it is highly prone to slipping. Evidence of operator-failure is a line-end that looks like a pig tail Not for nothing, I use the Uni-Knot for all applications and line materials. 'Uni' stands for Universal, the same concept underlying the blood-knot and snelled hooks. The next time my uni-knot slips in braided line will be my first time. Roger

Whether you weigh 100 lbs soaking wet or 300 lbs in the buff, if the reel drag is properly preset, you'll have a real tough time busting the line during the hook-set (unless nicked or frayed). In addition to line-failure, the other bugbear is knot slippage'. Although knot slippage is commonly referred to as knot-failure, it's typically the result of 'user-failure'. None of the popular fishing knots are prone to slipping, that is, if the user remembers to PRE-SNUG the knot before the final tightening. This common oversight is what inspired the improved clinch knot. When the standard clinch knot is not tightly pre-snugged, it is highly prone to slipping. Evidence of operator-failure is a line-end that looks like a pig tail Not for nothing, I use the Uni-Knot for all applications and line materials. 'Uni' stands for Universal, the same concept underlying the blood-knot and snelled hooks. The next time my uni-knot slips in braided line will be my first time. Roger

That's small potatoes Chris. It's really uncanny how many facets of angling that you & I share in common, it's a pleasure being in your court. Roger

> Deps 6" Deathadder Grub (scuppernong) > Spro Aruku Shad 75 (chrome blue) > Gambler 7" Big Stick (green pumpkin) > Berkley 5" Split-Belly Swimbait (tennessee shad) tied for 3rd place Roger

Fish Chris wrote: RoLo wrote: ================================================================================ Senile1 wrote: My above post was not presented as a constant that applies to any context, but a relevant analogy offered as food for thought. It's always been my firm belief that conditioning is a major component of natural selection. All animals are trained by repetition and association, which conditions them over time to their environment (survival of the fittest). To be sure, bass can see fine line better in clear water, but they can also see rattleboxes, weedguards and treble hooks more clearly in clear water. I think it's fair to say that treble hooks are more visible and more awe-inspiring than fishing line. Although line visibility may be uppermost in the mind of the angler, natural presentation involves a myriad of variables that go far beyond line visibility. For decades, I've used many types of leaders in both saltwater and freshwater. For the past several years however my wife and I have been using braided line without any leader. Living in Lake Wales, Florida we're just a stone's throw from the phosphate pits of Bartow and Mulberry, and no strangers to crystal-clear water. Neither my wife nor I have noticed any valid difference in bass action without a leader. It should be underscored though, that it's human nature to arrive at the conclusion you wish to reach. For this reason, I try to be objective in my opinion, where conclusions cannot be based on one or two cases in point. It really takes years of experimenting to filter out all the false positives and false negatives. I'm fortunate in this regard, because experimenting is my favorite part of fishing, something I'll continue for the rest of my years Roger

A leader can be useful for enhancing abrasion resistance or shock-resistance, but their importance in reducing line visibility is of dubious value. Bass routinely eat bullet sinkers, bristle weedguards, large spinner blades, rattleboxes and gaudy treble hooks. Does anyone really believe that this same animal would be frightened by the sight of a fine filament?? Lose the leader Roger

To my best recollection, my first artificial lure was an in-line spinner fitted with an Indiana blade by Hildebrandt to which I attached a fly. The fly I used was one of my wet trout flies such as the royal coachman, blue dunn, black gnat or light and dark cahills. Jason Lucas was the Buck Perry of the 40s and 50s, and Jason referred to the spinner/fly combination as a "Cockatoush", a term that has long since vanished from the angling vocabulary. In New Jersey, the cockatoush usually caught more chain pickerel than largemouth and smallmouth bass combined. In addition to the cockatoush, other outstanding lures that stole the limelight, were the Johnson weedless spoon, Helin Flatfish, Heddon River Runt, Creek Chub Pikie Mnnow, Rapala Original floater (1936), and the Zaragoosa Minnow (1922). Among my favorite artifical plugs was the "Heddon Sonic", the forerunner of today's lipless crank Roger

In keeping with the original question, I really can't say that I know any angler who experiences serial breakoffs, that's got to be VERY frustrating! About 5 years ago, I switched from Trilene XL to Power Pro (now use Berkley Fireline braid) That was the last day that nylon mono was in my life, as I now use braided line for everything'. Chris, a few years back I was pleased to learn that you are also an advocate of braided line. Then shortly after that I was stunned to find out that you're also a staunch fan of spinning tackle (not too many of us). Every couple of years I'll buy another baitcasting outfit with the latest blank material and reel features. But baitcasting gear never lasts more than 2 or 3 outings in my boat, then winds up collecting dust in my den. Given a tight drag, break-jaw hooksets with non-stretch braid will often result in keyholing. With stretchy nylon there's a different problem, where all the stretch must be removed if you hope to set the hook beyond the barb. After fishing with stretchy nylon for about 40 years in both fresh and saltwater, it was tough for me to make the transition from boat-rocking hooksets to a crank-and-sweep hook-set. I still use the 'uni-knot' for everything, which tied correctly is fail-safe and a cinche to tie even for plugs with three treble hooks. I've often thrown cranks all day long in the same boat with anglers using baitcasting gear and fluorocarbon line. If there's any difference at all in our break-off ratio, I fail to see it. Cool topic, by the way ;-) Roger

In keeping with the original question, I really can't say that I know any angler who experiences serial breakoffs, that's got to be VERY frustrating! About 5 years ago, I switched from Trilene XL to Power Pro (now use Berkley Fireline braid) That was the last day that nylon mono was in my life, as I now use braided line for everything'. Chris, a few years back I was pleased to learn that you are also an advocate of braided line. Then shortly after that I was stunned to find out that you're also a staunch fan of spinning tackle (not too many of us). Every couple of years I'll buy another baitcasting outfit with the latest blank material and reel features. But baitcasting gear never lasts more than 2 or 3 outings in my boat, then winds up collecting dust in my den. Given a tight drag, break-jaw hooksets with non-stretch braid will often result in keyholing. With stretchy nylon there's a different problem, where all the stretch must be removed if you hope to set the hook beyond the barb. After fishing with stretchy nylon for about 40 years in both fresh and saltwater, it was tough for me to make the transition from boat-rocking hooksets to a crank-and-sweep hook-set. I still use the 'uni-knot' for everything, which tied correctly is fail-safe and a cinche to tie even for plugs with three treble hooks. I've often thrown cranks all day long in the same boat with anglers using baitcasting gear and fluorocarbon line. If there's any difference at all in our break-off ratio, I fail to see it. Cool topic, by the way ;-) Roger

In keeping with the original question, I really can't say that I know any angler who experiences serial breakoffs, that's got to be VERY frustrating! About 5 years ago, I switched from Trilene XL to Power Pro (now use Berkley Fireline braid) That was the last day that nylon mono was in my life, as I now use braided line for everything'. Chris, a few years back I was pleased to learn that you are also an advocate of braided line. Then shortly after that I was stunned to find out that you're also a staunch fan of spinning tackle (not too many of us). Every couple of years I'll buy another baitcasting outfit with the latest blank material and reel features. But baitcasting gear never lasts more than 2 or 3 outings in my boat, then winds up collecting dust in my den. Given a tight drag, break-jaw hooksets with non-stretch braid will often result in keyholing. With stretchy nylon there's a different problem, where all the stretch must be removed if you hope to set the hook beyond the barb. After fishing with stretchy nylon for about 40 years in both fresh and saltwater, it was tough for me to make the transition from boat-rocking hooksets to a crank-and-sweep hook-set. I still use the 'uni-knot' for everything, which tied correctly is fail-safe and a cinche to tie even for plugs with three treble hooks. I've often thrown cranks all day long in the same boat with anglers using baitcasting gear and fluorocarbon line. If there's any difference at all in our break-off ratio, I fail to see it. Cool topic, by the way ;-) Roger

Excellent summation I'm really surprised that no one mentioned the Berkley 5" Powerbait Jerk Shad, which glides like a Super Fluke (if properly rigged) but has a more realistic appearance. http://216.149.215.9/scans/JerkShad.jpg Roger

Count me in (68) The older I get, the better I was ;D Roger

Count me in (68) The older I get, the better I was ;D Roger

Count me in (68) The older I get, the better I was ;D Roger

Im pretty sure id rather have a powerpole because that spot lock seems like it would run your battery down,malfunction, and its a lot more disturbing in shallow water. I dont think powerpoles look that bad either,kinda gives the boat a "i know what im doing" look I'm aware of only one way to look like you know what you're doing. The angler who consistently brings double-wide bass to the scales, looks like he knows what he's doing, even though his boat may look like a Giant Grasshopper Roger

Im pretty sure id rather have a powerpole because that spot lock seems like it would run your battery down,malfunction, and its a lot more disturbing in shallow water. I dont think powerpoles look that bad either,kinda gives the boat a "i know what im doing" look I'm aware of only one way to look like you know what you're doing. The angler who consistently brings double-wide bass to the scales, looks like he knows what he's doing, even though his boat may look like a Giant Grasshopper Roger

Im pretty sure id rather have a powerpole because that spot lock seems like it would run your battery down,malfunction, and its a lot more disturbing in shallow water. I dont think powerpoles look that bad either,kinda gives the boat a "i know what im doing" look I'm aware of only one way to look like you know what you're doing. The angler who consistently brings double-wide bass to the scales, looks like he knows what he's doing, even though his boat may look like a Giant Grasshopper Roger

I have a hunch that you'll have a broad selection among the noiseless PMs that you receive. Roger

I have a hunch that you'll have a broad selection among the noiseless PMs that you receive. Roger