RoLo

I only fished there a couple times, when I was living in Rico, GA (Fulton Co Greenbelt). Today we live in central Florida which is out of the area, but Banks Lake has great charm & mystique, I can't help but think that Montgomery Lake once looked like that (home of the former world-record). Roger

I've used 30-lb braid made by Power Pro, Sufix 832, Berkley Trilene, Seaguar Smackdown~ but I'll be darned if I ever noticed any brand-related difference in casting distance. Frankly, I'm not interested in greater casting distance, then I'd need a broomstick to set the hook Roger

The cypress swamp you described reminds me of Banks Lake in south Georgia (cypress knees, lotus pads & coontail). Everything may look the same 'above' the waterline, but the contour of the bottom usually calls the shots. There are topographic maps for nearly every square mile of earth. I should preface by saying that many erroneously refer to "hydro maps" as "topo maps", but a TRUE 'topo map' is a land survey expressed in elevation (elevation has to be converted to water depth). Topo maps are indispensable for manmade reservoirs before their impoundment, and for uncharted waters. I would surf the Georgia USGS for the topo section of interest, which they refer to as 'quadrangles'. Swampland is normally flatland with indistinct contour, but small nuances can make a 'big' difference. Roger

I think you made an excellent choice, and your expectations are not unreasonable. The best of luck to you both. Roger

There's a 3rd field mark that can help distinguish a largemouth bass from a smallmouth bass. I intentionally omitted the 3rd identifier because it's not as dependable as the others, but the image above offers an irresistible example of the 3rd field mark. In addition to their smaller mouth and brownish upperside, the flanks of smallmouth bass usually (but not always) consist of vague "vertical" bands (as pictured above). In contrast, the median line of largemouth bass is typically formed by a series of dark "horizontal" blotches, and indeed sometimes it's a distinct black horizontal band (especially in clear water). Roger

Honesty is always the best policy Prevarication requires an impeccable memory, and is far more work than adhering to the truth. If my honesty is unacceptable, then it's better for both of us that I hang my hat elsewhere. Roger

I was afraid you'd come back with that. After spending bucco bucks on a Canon-60D, my wife's Android Smartphone rivals the best shots taken with my Canon SLR But that's neither here nor there, it's your flair for the arts that I truly appreciate Roger

When the mouth is closed, the maxillary passes the rear-line of the eye (Maxillary = jaw hinge) The greenish upperside is another clincher, which is generally brownish on smallmouth bass. Roger

Largemouth bass And a nice one at that!

It's not only bass that hit after dark. In some waters, rock bass will smack surface lures all night long. Some rock bass strike like largemouth, and some largemouth strike like rock bass. Roger

Every time I read an article about the origin of the wacky rig, I see a different year, different location and different founder. I have a hunch that the real founder was Pee-wee Herman. Roger

Shallow water does present a dilemma: When you're on full plane, the shaft is tilted Down which 'increases' the depth of the skeg. When you're moving slower with the shaft tilted Up, the bow rides higher but the transom rides lower, which also 'increases' the depth of the skeg. To be sure, running a shoal on full plane offers the fastest passage, but depending on the nature of the shoal, one obstacle can spoil a weekend. The steps below offer the safest approach but also the most time-consuming approach: > Before entering the shoal, empty your bilge and your livewell (if the livewell is in use, empty 50%) > Situate your passenger(s) in the bow > Tilt the shaft Up 75% (varies from meter to meter) > Proceed no faster than 1000 RPM Roger

Not any more, they kept telling me to rotate vehicles every 15 months

I wouldn't have gotten it either, but happen to remember when ghoti first explained it many years ago: tough sounds like "F" women sounds like "I" lotion sounds like "SH" 1st column = Ghoti 2nd column = FISH I believe Gary redefined the term 'covert' Roger

If I'm not mistaken Weld, you shuttle between New York & Florida. I lived 50 years in New Jersey and close to 20 years in Florida. Though Florida-strain bass are MUCH bigger, northern-strain bass are MUCH easier to catch Roger

Gorgeous paint jobs, but I'm also impressed with your macro photography Roger

How true, I might have that slogan laminated for my wallet Roger

Trailer: 60lb <> Tow Car: 30lb Roger

"How to keep a bass from jumping". In truth you can't, but you can reduce the odds. The first rule of the road is to hold the rod-tip low. Nonetheless, on more than one occasion I've had the rod dunked almost to the reel, only to watch a jumping bass at POV. Another approach depends on at least a med-hvy rod and perfect timing. Allow the bass to jump, but the instant her lips emerge, yank down fast and hard! If your timing is perfect, the odds are good that you'll abort the jump (like tilting a pinball machine). A third and typically the most effective way to prevent a jump, is to skate the bass briskly across the surface. I should add however. that it doesn't work so well with bass over 7 pounds Roger

Before you cut-off your lure, make sure that your buddy will accept it. Otherwise, there will be 'two' people not catching fish Roger

The old stuff I still have was right after fluorocarbon was first introduced. I only used it for leader material in saltwater, which came in small plastic snap-cases. Probably a collector's item today Roger

Since the supply spool is trapped in a container (any container), it only rotates under tension, unlike a runaway spool on the floor. Roger

Awesome Craig! Roger

Though I've owned many nets, I've never had one with a straight leading-edge. How does that compare to a hoop with a curved leading edge? Roger

When I first discover a sweet spot, I devote all my attention to getting the most accurate coordinates. I'm not at all worried about frightening fish, because I'll be back, but with greater stealth. Any spot worth saving, is worth saving right. The more convoluted and confusing the bottom contour, the more promising the holding site. If it's a complex structure, I'll toss marker buoys to mark a crest, step, mound, indent, what have you. (I keep 4 stackable "H" buoys always in easy reach) In essence, you're draining the lake mentally to visualize the contour of the bottom...it can be very time-consuming. Roger