RoLo

Yeah, we all know it's sad, but more importantly, what are we going to do about it? Roger

"PEOPLE ARE BACK" Yes I know, don't rub it in Roger

Yup, Megabass is a great place for the risk averse Roger

This is just a replay of Gander Mountain > Cabelas > Bass Pro Shops > So...who's going to acquire BPS? Maybe Tackle Warehouse Roger

I may not agree with the description, but I think I know where the OP is coming from. I try to give every rod blank a fair shake, even neglected models like Daiwa Light & Tough, Fenwick Eagle GLC, Dark Angel ~ ~ ~. I have noticed that St Croix blanks seem to have limited weight latitude and mediocre casting distance Roger

Heddon currently produces the "Pop'n Image" at 3.5" long Roger

It's big, but not too big. Bronzebacks are highly aggressive Roger

The healthy response to this bluegill thread comes as no surprise. Bluegills are great little warriors. We shouldn't overlook the fact that bass are essentially outsized sunfish from the same family. During the heart of Florida's bluegill season, I'll usually dedicate a day or two strictly to bluegill sunfish. Oddly enough, my wife will stick to bass fishing. Is it any wonder why she routinely outfishes me? Roger

I'm hoping that 'Frabil' isn't a pseudonym ? Roger

If 80% of all anglers are throwing a 'black-&-blue' jig, that means that 'black & blue' jigs must catch at least 80% of all bass, otherwise 'black & blue' is Under-Performing! (pretty simple math) Roger

I honestly can't help. Now, if you were looking for swim jigs that are never swimmed, I got lots of those. Roger

I don't call a fish with no eyes, because I know it can't come.

I keep color choice pretty simple: I have a dartboard with a color-wheel and a blind monkey with a fistful of darts. Roger

Totally agree. For those who own a fly rod, there is no funner way to catch bluegills. Cast any black fly or tiny popper in the shade of shoreline trees. Don't wear out any spot, but keep the boat moving slowly. In season, it's pretty much a sunfish on every cast. Roger

Agreed; In local tourneys, I used to save the best for last, as though I was eating a steak dinner. Today, I head ‘straight’ to my best holding site, even if it’s the farthest waypoint from the ramp. If it’s close to the ramp, so much the better, then it gets hit going out & coming back. Roger

To be sure, the cartridge inflatable vests offer the most freedom, but I prefer fail-safe kapok. I'm currently using an 'O'NEILL type-III PFD', I believe they go around 40 bucks. Roger

That’s a good question, and the answer probably hinges on metabolism. Many moons ago I was invited to fish with an ex-crappie guide on East Point Lake, Georgia. I brought along Hal flies and frozen Missouri minnows. On the other hand, my buddy Jerry used nothing but a ballhead jig and curly-tail grub. After being soundly trounced by artificial lures, I decided to give up the jig & minnow and switch to a 2.0” Slider grub on a 1/8 ballhead jig. The slider grub has a boot-tail that generated more thump than the curly-tail grub. As it happened, the slider grub was the best performer that particular day. As an aside, Jerry caught a 2-lb 15oz crappie that day, the biggest I’ve ever personally held. Roger

A Shimano Curado 200K runs about $180 One with a 6.2:1 ratio will provide all the power you need. Roger

The KVD 1.5 you mentioned and the Bandit 100 are my most used billed-plugs in central Florida. They both run about 4 ft deep, which is perfect in our local waters. When I need more depth than 5 feet (rarely), I’ll generally turn to a lipless plug. Roger

I like Roadrunners and crappie spins, but Worden's 1/24 oz Roostertail is at the head of my list too. Roger

Some anglers adhere to casting gear for everything possible. Others adhere to spinning tackle for just about everything (I did for years). The most popular weight for a shaky head is 1/8 oz, so follow your gut and stick with spinning tackle. Roger

Bass flat-out miss a surprising percentage of topwater baits, and even their successful grabs may only have a marginal hold. You probably know a fisherman who throws a Solid Toad all the time...except after ice-up Many of the best toad anglers out there, choose between 2 colors: White or Black (period) They're not trying to imitate anything, instead, they're looking to maximize lure visibility, to make it easier for bass to score a bullseye. Roger

Sounds like a blast For sheer numbers, I'd probably fall victim to the Rapala Original Floater Roger

When game fish give chase to baitfish, the bait will typically ball-up and flee to the surface. Unfortunately, the surface is a dead-end street, where the bait school is forced to scatter. During a major blitz, things can get real hectic, real fast. Gulls & terns will detect breaking water much sooner than fishermen, and from a much greater distance. When birds spot surface activity they'll promptly join the fray. This places the baitfish in a deadly sandwich between gamefish underneath and birds on top. There is no better indicator of feeding game-fish than fish-eating birds. Whenever I spot birds working, my confidence goes straight thru the roof. Birds Feeding = Good Sign Roger

The only way to pinpoint pay dirt is with an onsite survey (hands on). We're approaching the season when plastic worms really strut their stuff. In a lake with dingy water, I'd favor a noisy worm like a Zoom Ultravibe. Roger