RoLo

My wife cuts my hair. Even so, I still remember the last I was in a barbership, it was exactly 40 to 50 years ago. Roger

If limited to a single casting rod, I'd be happy with a 6'9" Med-Hvy power with a fast taper. Roger

Garcia Mitchell 300 sure jogs my nostalgia. In the 50s, that was my first spinning reel, which I mounted on a blue Conolan fiberglass rod. It was the only outfit I owned, and I thought it was the cat’s meow. The biggest nuisance? You guessed it: ‘bail springs’ (always kept spares in the tackle box) Roger

I like the Dobyns Champion more than most blanks, but I like Shimano Expride more than the Champion. Roger

Shimano SLX, you won't regret it Roger

I'm more of a rifleman than a shotgunner, who relies more on the Talon than the Terrova. Although it's unsung, one of the most important variables is recharging. Plug into your AC recharger as soon as you return home, and the batteries might outlast the boat (i.e. The next purchase) ☺️ Roger

Hmm, that's a loaded question with many variables. Roger

I carry a lunch, does that count

Many years back, I had access to a private pier on Lake Walk-in-Water and a wharf on Fedhaven canal. I seized the opportunity to compare the performance of different stick worms during an unweighted descent. It wasn't about angler performance, but evaluated the difference in stickworm performance (shimmy on the fall). The top performer was a Yamamoto Senko (Anyone heard of that one?). The Wave Worm Tiki Stick was middle-of-the-road, while the Yum Dinger brought up the rear (deadmeat). The only plastic stickworm that rivaled the Senko was the "Gambler Ace". The Ace is the same length, same weight, same finish & same action as a Senko. All that said, I've been prejudiced ever since ☺️ Roger

I too am guilty of the joy of selfish stewardship. More than thermal, the threat to your former pet is predatorial (He/she is an uneducated target). Roger

Interesting question, interesting responses, and oddly, I can relate to every response. It’s not likely that spawn-site selection is an annual event based on the presence or absence of other species. In established lakes, the spawning flats used by gar, carp & bass are well-known, repeated and virtually epic. Thanks to ‘Territorial Timing’, various species of fish can maintain harmony within the same waterbody. That is, the same bedding flat used by bass, may be infested with carp during another seasonal period. Mother Nature doesn’t have the luxury to abide by simplistic observations; and the intricacy of her master plan boggles our tiny minds. Roger

If you're not comfortable with spinning gear, then stick with casting gear. There was a time when I was in the opposite camp, and used spinning gear for almost everything. In any event, a 5-in unweighted Senko weighs 3/8 ounce, so you're good to go. Roger

> Plastic Worm (Cut-R) > Soft Jerkbait (Fluke) > Soft Swimbait (Keitech) Roger

Based on the lure you described, bulk and length shouldn't be any problem. You're probably dealing with fish in a neutral or negative mood, especially in high-pressured water. Particularly with jigs, there is a point in limbo, between missing unenthused fish and not getting any strikes at all. In other words, you may be getting strikes, where an angler with a larger jig may be getting none. Roger

When I lived in the northeast, that was the unseemly trait of yellow perch. On countless occasions, a yellow perch would hit a lure about 80% its length. Is that conceit or imagination? Roger

I can relate to your disappointment. Size aside, pickerel and pike are very fragile out of water, not nearly as hardy as the bass family. I've spent 5 to 10 min reviving pike, and though they'd ultimately ramble off, I generally doubt that they're going to make it. We'll just keep giving it our best shot, and after that it's up to Big Mama. Roger

In natural lakes, largemouth bass gravitate to weedy cover. In artificial lakes (reservoirs / impoundments) that may lack veggies, they'll gravitate to wood (docks/stumps~) and rock (riprap/boulders~). With respect to smallmouth bass, it's just the opposite; hard cover first & soft cover last. Roger

I doubt what you're experiencing is due to heat or sunlight, it's probably due to mixing polymers. The best solution is to store Zman plastics with Zman plastics. Roger

Around the time this thread originated, the consensus estimate for bass retention was ~20 minutes. About 10 years later, I have no reason to add or subtract from that hypothetical duration. Like people though, you can bet the ranch that bass forgetfulness varies significantly between individuals. Roger

I simply use a bank sinker of the desired weight, but if your looking for something with the same air resistance as your fishing plug, just remove the treble hooks. Roger

Isn't this the thread where Anthony Weiner got the axe?

Lake Kissimmee, off defunct Rocks Fish Camp She seemed fascinated by bass fishermen

Seth Feider often chooses a pattern that matches 'no' common prey, a pattern that all other anglers are not throwing (I concur with Seth). My color choices hinge mostly on enhancing or degrading underwater visibility. Roger

Rather than a theory, that's a proven fact. There is a limit however, to the range of a fish's homing instinct. When this distance is exceeded, it's also been shown that some released bass very far from their catch point may setup shop locally. This is one reason why it's always a good idea to fish the area around the launch site, the area that anglers blow right over on their way to greener pastures. Roger

Vegetation by far, in particular Hydrilla & Spatterdock In the absence of vegetation: Wood then Rock. Roger