RoLo

If I have to use a Carolina-rig (not exactly a casting gem), I'm going to use it with "High-floating plastic". To that end, an angler would be hard pressed to beat a Strike King 3x Floating Worm. Be reminded, with a lure this buoyant the leader length becomes more critical. Roger

My dad used to say, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". Well, I'll take the middle road here. I have owned reels by both companies, and I'll say this, Quantum and ABU Garcia are two reels brands among others, that I intentionally overlook :-/ Roger

I personally begin my day by hitting season-related spots in paper-route fashion, which I reverse to return home (barring invention). Should I discover a bonafide pattern, maybe I'll begin skipping known holding sites and try to hold that pattern....or maybe not. Depends on how momentous I perceive the pattern to be. A pattern is only a temporary event subject to change, so I wouldn't bet everything on any pattern. Roger

SPEEDBEAD #30, Troutfisher #31 and flechero #32, Three back-to-back posts that delivered the goods without any pussyfooting Roger

Nice post Randall, right-on! Roger

It's interesting that no one yet mentioned the notorious Senko! My favorite bigmouth lure is the Plastic Worm. I lump stick-worms into the same category (senko, tiki stick ~ ~) which I find no better, no worse. Roger

All that, and it's endorsed by none other than Roland Martin ;D : First Mr. Martin retired, then he & his wife sold their marina/tackle shop to their boy Scott, then the Big-O fell through the cracks!!!! I have a hunch that the Martin Flagship is taking on water. Roger

Personal Favorites: > Zoom (numero uno) > Gambler > Sizmic (uncle josh) > Culprit Catt, did you happen to notice the poster's name ;D Roger

I'm pretty sure that no bass ever had an original thought in its life. People are funny, they have trouble believing that any animal could be dumber than a human ;D Roger

Very well said Glenn, and I'm glad that you made that clear. Irrespective of one's knowledge or lack of knowledge, nothing is more underwhelming than vulgar delivery. Roger

I bought my first Mirr-o-lure back in the 1960s, it was a freshwater lure that I believe they discontinued. It was a red-head diving plug with pronounced eyes and gorgeous silver iridescent scales. In it's short lifespan I don't remember catching anything with it, but remember losing it in Delaware River, NJ :'( I didn't use the Mirr-O-Lure again until the late 1990s, they're excellent lures for spotted seatrout and red drum (redfish). Roger

Welcome Aboard Matt 5.0, I've been using Daiwa gear since about age 21 to age 64. Daiwa makes great stuff, both reels and rods. However, when push comes to shove, I'd give the nod to Shimano. Roger

Who was it that said, "It isn't the wand, it's the Magician"? Roger

That should come as no surprise. Shallow water warms-up more quickly than deep water (esp. a sunny day in late afternoon) However, on an overcast winter day after a cold front, you might be a tad happier in deeper water Roger

On balance and throughout the year: Small Lures: "Tend" to catch both Small & Large Bass Large Lures: "Tend" to catch mostly Large Bass It's nearly impossible to confirm that large lures catch more large bass than small lures, but it has been confirmed that small lures catch more bass than large lures. Roger

It's my opinion that trophy fishing and tournament fishing are two very different ballgames. As a result, there's really no fair way to compare one to the other. In years gone by, I frequently considered giving up my job as Toolmaker, getting my Captain's license and running chartered trips off the Jersey coast. These same aspirations recurred in freshwater as well, but each time I thought about it, a light would go on! If I dared to make the enormous transition from recreational angler to professional angler I may never again experience the intimate euphoria that only a freelance angler can enjoy when playing a fish. A bass will no longer look like a bass, but will begin to look more-and-more like a $1000 Bill. No Thank You...I shall remain a recreational stiff, serving as his own guide Roger

If the vegetation on that pond has become over-abundant, you might be dealing with "eutrophication". In lay terms, that describes a state of Hyper-Fertility = Excess Vegetation = Oxygen Deprivation = Fish Kill If the vegetation appears to be in healthy balance, than it may indeed be due to overharvest. I don't believe it's possible to 'fish-out' a pond, but it is possible to 'fish-down' a pond, especially a tiny pond (long story). Roger

http://www.happydranch.com/worms.html Eisenia fetida is a "must-have" for redear sunfish Roger

Vertical-most drop-offs Roger

You've piqued my curiosity, I need to try the Wood Rat (good seeing again CJ) Roger

Yep, I had a feeling Roland was beginning to slip ;D

I'm with Catt on this one, my biggest (only) concern is that I am able to see the line. Bass eat pebbles, cigarette butts and bottlecaps, it's not likely they'd turn down a meal because of a piece of thread. Thin line versus thick line, now that's a whole other ballgame. Roger

Yes, I've seen that bait, but never had the nerve to touch it

As RW stated, unsolicited merchandise is a gift. Roger

Good stuff Raul! I often use a 3/64oz nail weight, but the Kahle hook is a pregnant idea. I'll give that one a whirl. Roger