RoLo

Micropterus dolomieu Roger

I use more than one outfit, and since casting outfits are over-represented, I'll describe my spinning outfit ROD: Dobyns Champion Spinning Rod: Med Hvy - Fast - 7.0 ft (If available, I prefer 6' 9") REEL: Shimano Stradic 6.2 ratio LINE: Sufix 832: 20-lb braid (No leader) HOOK: Mustad Grip-pin Big Bite 4/0 SINKER: 1/4 oz Bullet Sinker Roger

That's why I carry a roll of Paper Towel. Rather than predicting the future, I just take the whole paper roll in the woods then return the paper roll to the starboard well Roger

Back in the day, a common word used in taverns & saloons was 'highball', a word I never hear anymore. A highball is any drink made with liquor and a mixer, like a Seven & Seven, Gin & Tonic or Scotch & Soda. When I was growing up in New Jersey, if you just asked for a "highball", you'd most likely get Rye & Ginger Ale (yuck!). Roger

You might give the ‘Mustad Grip-pin Big Bite Hook’ a try. It's not as radical as an EWG bend, instead it has a moderate shank-offset and round-bend hook. In addition, the point isn't aiming at the line-eyelet, and although the grip-pin isn't large, it has remarkable gripping power. In overview, the Mustad grip-pin hook is midway between an offset-shank and straight-shank hook, and works 'real' well. Roger

Way to go! She has a post-spawn tail Roger

In years gone by, the Zoom Ol Monster spent a lot of time in the limelight, which it later shared with the Berkley Power Worm (10 & 12"). Today of course, straight-tail worms and stick-worms enjoy greater popularity than ribbontail worms. Roger

When nature calls, I take my game to the same place where bear, deer and moose do their business. You will always find a roll of Paper Towel in my starboard well, and whenever I’m on a new lake, I’ll scan the shoreline for hospitable spots to make landfall. The rest is easy ? Roger

In Florida's weedy lakes, I only throw 'soft' swimbaits which are weedless, but not hard swimbaits. In the main, I use 30-lb braid; but if I'm slicing thru spatterdock all day, it'll be 50-lb braid. Braid is remarkably abrasion-resistant material, but due to its extremely fine diameter it may send the wrong message (Imagine fluorocarbon at half its diameter). Roger

' Brahma bull found my boat amusing (Tenderloin lot: '412') Roger

The post-spawn can be a mixed bag, because it's a transitional period. It's a good season though, because bass must eat to restore reserves lost during the spawn. It can also be tough, especially for spent females, and also because it's a transitional period for lures. While spinnerbaits may have been working a couple weeks ago, crankbaits may be working better now. A plastic worm is always high on the list, although the best worm-fishing lies ahead. Last but not least, some of the best topwater bites occur during the post spawn season. Location is always first, so your best bet is to preselect the best post-spawn sites in the vicinity of the best spawning flats. Search thereat for weedbeds, woody cover & rocky cover (In that order). Roger

Okay, we’re talking about largemouth bass during the post-spawn season. If it were me, I’d move my game away from the dam end of the reservoir, to the headwaters. More pointedly, the big bay fed by Quemahoning Creek and the long, slender cove along Green Bridge Rd. Roger

Here is hoping for your wife's fast and full recovery.

You had a good day. Thanks for the report. Roger

Sure, provided you're using appropriate drag tension

Install a sacrificial anode

I had a Boga Grip with built-in scale I used in saltwater. The scale was inaccurate and the small gripping area was injurious to fish. It's now collecting dust somewhere in my garage. Roger

The key to zigzag action is to have some slack line 'before' & 'after' each jerk. The slack line before the jerk creates an explosion point that delivers a crisp lurch. The slack line after the jerk offers the frog freedom of movement to pivot. When the rhythm is correct, it feels like you're driving nails in the side of your hull ? Roger

We've found the 11am to 4pm timeslot to be best for action, as well as size. Based on one theory, old bass welcome the visual benefit of midday sun, although they themselves are skulking in the shade of pads. Roger

I see nothing unusual about your experience. And at age 16, you've got plenty of time to conquer any challenge. As always, the best place to begin is with 'location', and in your current case: post-spawn location. At this stage of the game, I wouldn't overindulge in tackle, line, lures, colors ~ ~ ~ Though we know the species and season, it's also helpful to know the latitude (north or south), lake type (natural lake or impoundment), predominant cover (weeds, wood, rock) and water clarity. Roger

I once hired a marshal to tally the fish my wife & I caught, and to record the date, time & lure. Sadly, I had to let him go, there just wasn't enough work to keep him busy Roger

Yeah, mucho better. And the reduced surface area will mean less drag

That's one approach I've never tried, but it certainly makes sense. =================================================== With the teflon glides I've used, you need to watch for protruding screw-heads (yikes) Roger

I've tried a couple slip sprays for trailer bunks, and though they all do work, it's only a temporary fix. I've found that gaining access to an empty trailer ('before' or 'after' fishing) is rather inconveniencing. Short of roller bunks, a more permanent solution are the 'nylon bunk glides'. Roger

One of the oldest lines I've every used: "Are there any more at home like you?". Roger