RoLo

Depends on the size of the shiners. A #16 hook isn't too small for small 2 to 3" crappie shiners A #10 hook isn't too big for large 6 to 10" bass shiners Roger

I totally agree, a football head is unsuited to working in weeds. My reference was only to the 1 ounce weight, which is very heavy for 'open water', and most commonly used in weedy situations. And since this is his home lake, he probably doesn't need a heavy sounding jig for braille contouring. Roger

Almost certainly you're using series 58 EWG hooks which are made of standard wire. That hook is sufficient under most conditions (I seriously doubt a bad batch). Shank bending can be solved by moving up to a series 74 hook, a Gama EWG 'Superline' Though I've broken a couple Superline EWGs, I've never seen one bend. Roger

A one-ounce jig is rather heavy and has limited use. Weights over 3/4 oz are most commonly used for mat-punching & weed-probing. A jig that heavy doesn't move gracefully and doesn't make a good all-purpose tool. Roger

So what year is your jet ski?

Jet Skis and 40 MPH Winds! Roger

I have an extra-long, two-car garage, but you won't find any cars in there. Maybe a Glock

I applaud your do-it-yourself initiative! Since I do a great deal of fishing in weed-infested waters, I would offer one suggestion. Consider a hook eyelet that emerges from the nose of the jig rather than the crown. The right-angle corner formed by the jighead and eyelet forms a dreadful weed-trap. Roger

For personal protection, Glock is the overwhelming favorite handgun. Sig Sauer represents about 1/3 the sales of Glock (U.S. Navy Seals / Dept of Home Security) Sturm Ruger represents 1/5 Glock sales (Nazi stormtroopers) Must be lots of stupid people out there. Roger

Hi Jack, welcome aboard Roger

Maybe that bass was an excellent jumper but a lousy crawler

Streeetchy line is the leading cause of hook-sets that fail to drive the point beyond the barb. As a result, the angler ends up fighting a large fish on the point of the hook, a bad situation when a sharp turn, jumping fish or strong surge can mean 'Game Over!' With non-stretch braid it's generally easy to set the hook home beyond the barb, which reduces the odds of a tear-out or a hook becoming unbuttoned during an abrupt turn or leap. If you're worried about a tear-off on a short line (not an unfounded fear), simply back-off a little on the drag tension and the hippo is screwed! REMEMBER: Spongyness derived from a glass blank, light power blank or stretchy line is 'forever' (can't turn it off), Forgiveness afforded by drag tension is fully adjustable....'forever'. Roger

I stand corrected! That's the last time I'm holding the door for WRB Roger

identifying seasonal patterns, pinpointing sweet-spots and perfecting techniques, all require an enormous amount of due diligence and time on the water. Paradoxically, it seems only fair to me that more than 'one' fisherman should reap the benefits of all that time and labor. As a result, I freely divulge 'what' I fish, 'when', 'where' and 'how' I fish it. In the grand scheme of things, the secrets I might disclose are not likely to affect me on the waters that I fish, but may brighten the day of a fellow angler in the waters that he fishes. I'm more guarded with local waypoints, but have often divulged the coordinates of hard-won local sweet-spots. In fact, I've provided whole lake itineraries to several BR members in the past. Truthfully, I'm not concerned about any holding site becoming public knowledge, because there are more where they came from; and searching for new hotspots is my first love. After you've boated thousands upon thousands of fresh and saltwater fish, cranking a fish to the boat becomes anti-climactic. I'm very lucky though, because my favorite part of fishing is gathering information, studying all the exciting sciences that encompass our sport, and last but not least: "finding fish". For that same reason I've never hired a fishing guide in my life, and never will. What sense would it make for me to pay someone else to do the task I love the most?? (ain't gonna happen). Roger

Not Every Small Marina Has A Chopper Gun Roger

I'm sure most are unaware of the dire firestorm hazard we face (please rain soon). Mike, I'm leaning in favor of Jtrout's suggestion, turn that boat into a backyard flowerpot. Strange but true, I had a friend named Jimmy in NJ who did exactly that with a 14-ft Starcraft Seafarer. One day in the 1000 Islands, Jimmy flipped his boat (due to a long-shaft on a standard shaft stern). Jim ended up with long, deep prop gashes in his breadbasket and nearly lost his young boy. Nearly killing her son, Jimmy's wife forbid him from using that boat again. In the final analysis, I must say that his Starcraft elevated bed supported some of Jersey's most beautiful flowers Roger

It's neither fair nor possible to evaluate 'extra-fast' action in isolation. Blank parameters always incorporate the synergetic relationship between target species, predominate cover, blank power, blank length, blank material and line material. Without filling in all the blanks, there's no hope for a cogent response Roger

I used to be a descent 'Pond Hopper' but lately it seems I've lost the razor's edge Roger

Sweet outfit! No wonder the Pickwick smallies are clinging tight to cover Roger

Sorry to hear about your loss, I know that 'sick' feeling all too well! As others have suggested: She can run, but she can't hide (forever) I keep a couple towels on my boat, the big one is a 'Crying Towel' Roger

I'm sure WRB will be along to lend a helping hand

You're not crazy, you've just reached the inescapable conclusion that bass are unpredictable. "Anyone ever "started over"? Frankly, at the beginning of every fishing day I feel like I'm 'starting over'. Do not sell your stuff, you'll only wind up buying it back a second time. Make your new decisions & apply your new ideas, but keep all your current stash (NO, not pot) Roger

I used to Yeajray, but today I use a Berkley 2/0 Fusion19 Weedless Hook (fluorocarbon weedguard). The hook weighs a mere 7 grains (1/64oz) so I add a pegged 1/16oz bullet sinker (6th Sense peg). It gets around pretty well in the salad bowls of Florida Roger

Don't Laugh. The hardest part was finally admitting that I could no longer walk on water

Phew! Unweighted to 1/8 oz that's quite a jump. Roger