RoLo

The topic is "Snap-Swivels". I use "snaps", and I use "swivels", but have no further use for SNAP-SWIVELS. I try to keep one spinning outfit permanently fitted with a 'snap', because the quick-change capability of a snap encourages lure-change and experimentation, which is my favorite part of fishing. I might incorporate a 'swivel' for C-rigging (as a stop), dropshotting and lures that rotate 360-degrees (surprisingly few). For trolling and saltwater angling I'll use a Sampo roller-bearing swivel. As for "snap-swivels", they've been phased-out of my armory long ago. Roger

Spinning is our game, so we always have Symetres, Stradics and Stellas onboard. Frankly, I've got to look down and read the label before I know what I'm holding. That said, the Stradic is a better reel, but the Symetre gives you more bang-for-the-buck. It's best to live within your means, instead of someone else's. Roger

Even at 40 feet, I can still drop my lure into a Chinese wock Roger

In the late 1940s, when I was knee-high to a gopher, I was casting some memory-obscured surface lure. I repeated the chuck-and-wind ritual with no real expectation of results. Suddenly I noticed a V-shaped bulge in the water that was rapidly closing-in on my lure! That fish inspired me more than any other fish in memory, and the mystery fish was never caught. Roger

I've done more than my fair share of boat angling and shore angling (fresh & salt). This is one guy who'll never lose his love and respect for shore fishing. Roger

I'm with you. Maybe I'm sick, but everytime the bass wins I feel a sense of calm and equality. Roger

Whenever you're told that lots of practice is involved, that's your 'first clue'. If you want tips on how to get unprofessional baitcasting overruns...I'm your man

Yo Zuri Edge Minnow floating jerkbait (not cheap) The 5" Edge Minnow weighs 11/16oz Roger

Have you ever tried winching a heavyweight fish to the boat using the reel without pumping the rod? If you're not expecting anything over 9 lbs, a right-hand reel might be okay for right-handed angler. But if you're expecting a bass over 9 lbs or might be using this reel in saltwater, get the left-hand reel. Roger

Interesting concept...I might play with that this weekend (7" magnum w/o the nail weight). Roger

x2 x3 Sometime during every fishing day I'll be using a Kistler Helium LTX (He2 MH69S) It's my longest spinning rod, but one of my favorite. Kistler just keeps getting better, and customer service is the best (loomis is the worst) Roger

Slippage of braid?

Think of them and fish them as you'd fish a paddletail grub. Roger

A lot more awe-inspiring than I imagined

Odd that no one mentioned 'white'. Bass eagerly strike chrome spoons, white-bellied topwaters and white spinnerbaits, why would they reject a white soft-plastic grub? (they don't) Roger

She was a recouping post-spawn cow. After I got her into the boat she was totally exhausted (spinning tackle is brutal). Lois snapped a few images, and I noticed that the bass didn't move once during the photo opp. Rather than weigh or even tape her, I spent my time trying to revive her. We treated her like a billfishLois had the electric motor on max, while I held her facing into the current. I'd say she went about 2½, maybe 3 :-/ Roger

I see misspellings today where I've never seen them before, in newspapers, magazines, even street signs. I used to think that Jaywalk was a spoof, but now I'm beginning to wonder. I'm not sure I'd blame the school system though, it might be a concoction of laziness & stupidity. ;D Roger

Over my neighbors fence

You nailed it Hookset, "eye size" is an excellent indicator of age. Regardless of a bass's growth rate, her maxillary and eyes continue to grow at a steady rate. The same can be said of **** sapiens (man), whose nose and ears continue to grow, long after the body stops producing growth hormone. Roger

Well...I did say 'have at it', but that wasn't an invitation to deface the photo : Here's the irony, everyone was so derailed by a tail issue that never existed, not one person asked what she weighed Roadwarrior has the right idea, submit no photos Roger

You would know. I never knew what it was called. Definitely not edited. Why put in the fin splits and water drop, and not do the fin rays and color? Roger, this discussion (as I'm sure you know) has nothing to do with your catch, but digital image chat for geeks LOL. Not a problem...have at it gents ;D

DMB, how big was that fish? Was it mounted? That would be an easy one to prove/dis-prove. I was wondering the same thing. I'd like to think that the DNR was conscientious enough to take a scale-count, which would identify the fish as a Florida-strain, northern-strain or intergrade. Roger

That's a pretty tough call. First of all, there's no hard line that distinguishes a lake from a pond. Furthermore, it's not likely that bass know or care whether they're living in a lake or pond. The difference between 'public water' and 'private water' is essentially a political boundary. The natural wildness of fish will not necessarily hinge on any political boundary. In some southeastern states, there are private waters that stock and fertilize on a regular basis. However, unless it's a "pay-lake", not many landowners will be motivated to foot the recurrent cost of chemicals and restocking (I once owned a small pond). Ironically, there are many public waters that receive excellent stewardship, and many private ponds that are merely neglected mud holes, and some of them are pay ponds. Roger

I missed this post Jay, and was wondering where you've been. I'm glad to see that your priorities in order and hope to see you back when time allows Roger

The cost of the rod is not always the best barometer of guide-ring material, which might depend on where the company places the emphasis (blank, guides, grips, window-dressing). Guide-grooving by braid is never a problem with hardloy, alconite, ziconium PVD, NonoLite, Carboloy or SiC (silicon carbide) guide rings. Differently put, grooving is possible if the blank is fitted with non-fuji ceramic guides, low-grade zirconium, chrome-plated or stainless steel guides. Roger