RoLo

I don't mean to come off sounding like the grim reaper, but 'quantity' (number) and 'quality' (size) are diametrically opposed. When a fisherman tells me about his 40-bass day, he doesn't have to bother telling me about their average size, because whether he knows it or not, he already did Not surprisingly, I do not count fish, but I do weigh a few. Roger

I fish the Gambler Big EZ strictly as a topwater bait, and break more rules than I follow. Topwater baits are notorious for low hook-up ratios, but the Big EZ offers an excellent hooking percentage. I should add, braided line is a must in my opinion, otherwise you will blame your rod or your hook-set timing instead of blaming that rubber-band that lacks the hutzpa to drive the hook beyond the barb Rod: 7'1" Med Heavy - Fast (St Croix Legend Tournament) Line: Sufix 50-lb 832 Braid (no leader of course) Hook: Gamakatsu 6/0 x 3/16 oz Spring-lock Hook Lure: Gambler Big EZ - not so sexy The rod-tip is held down close to the water to reduce clothes lining over pads, and to provide a nice hook-set arc. When rigging the bait, I avoid slots & pockets in the lure, and BURY the point in solid plastic. I'm looking for maximum weedlessness, which leads to more strikes. I do not pause during a strike, but whack her 'instantly' Roger

Nice video! Takes a wise man to realize he's a lucky guy; a more loyal partner will be hard to find In the beginning, my wife inundated me with a steady stream of questions, and I answered each to my best ability. Nowadays the tables have turned, and I'm asking more questions than she is! (where did I go wrong?) Roger

Based on length alone, a 22" largemouth will weigh about 6 lbs, a 23" bass will weigh about 7 lbs. Based on a mean physique, a 22¾" bass will weigh about 6-lb 12-oz Roger

Congratulations on your first fish! Based on the photo alone, it could either be a largemouth bass or spotted bass. The mouth isn't especially large and there is a spot on the tail stalk. Spotted bass also have a raspy patch on their tongue that you won't find on a largemouth bass. When you close the mouth of a largemouth, the mouth hinge (maxillary) will extend beyond the eye. Now at least, you now what field marks to look for the next time around. Have at it Roger

Most any finesse plastic will fill the bill, but I like some better than others: Roboworm 4.5" Straight Tail Worm Roboworm 4.0” Sculpin Zoom 4.0” Junior Fluke Reins 4.0" Bubbling Shaker Roger

Though I avoid using the net, I never go fishing without one. I only use the net for heavy fish, and don't mind losing the others. Roger

Let's keep our fingers crossed, they're predicting 50% chance of rain for Tuesday

In comprised water visibility like that, the best thing is a pitch black lure with an outboard motor on the stern Roger

That would suggest that it's never been lambasted by a bass

Quarries bring a different dynamic to bass fishing, and are noted for giving up some true lunkers. The classic quarry has a hard-bottom and gin-clear, semi-sterile water (needless to say they vary widely) Though I've never mastered the phosphate pits around Mulberry, Florida, they taught me a lot. In gin-clear water, bigmouth bass may nest 4 to 5 ft deep, but I'm not aware of any bed in 10' of water. Solar gain in a crystal-clear waterbody is slower, but I've never found that to effect the spawn timing. It flies in the face of popular wisdom, but I don't pay attention to bluegill activity (that's another topic). Where are the big fish? I heard that Anglers tend to focus on drop-offs and basins, but a quarry is essentially a crater lake where drop-offs are a dime-a-dozen, but where shoals and shallow water are at a premium. I'd focus my attention on the same areas you find bass nests (i.e. bedding flats). In a quarry dominated by bluff banks, the scarce shallow lips can be pure dynamite. Tangent to a bedding flat, I'd look for submerged hydrilla beds, which in a gin-clear quarry can grow down to 10 to 15 feet or more. Roger

There is no way to know the likes and dislikes of the buyer to be. As a result, the cost of preexisting accessories has little or no influence on resale value. If you're still going to pull the trigger, wait until I leave the room Roger

I've been around Robin's Barn a few times, and don't feel compelled to spread myself any thinner. Too many cooks can spoil the broth My time will be spent experimenting and trying to perfect the lures & techniques already in my arsenal. Roger

'Lube is Lube' and the one you happen to be using whichever one it might be, will most likely become your favorite. In reality, the major difference is 'viscosity'. CASTING (higher viscosity): Shimano Star Drag Grease SPINNING (lower viscosity): Shimano PermaLube Roger

My gut has always told me that field surgery is not a prudent practice. With a pair of long-handled diagonal cutters, snip the hook-shank nearest the flesh. Roger

A little weak on stern freeboard, but she's my baby! Roger

Maybe that stick he thought he snagged, was a 'dead' bass Roger

Actually I think he meant "Winey" days, those days when it's more fun to drink than fish Roger

Who needs fish?? Did you see that osprey crash into the drink, hear the raucous rattle of a feisty kingfisher, see Canada geese passing overhead, hear a barred owl toward day's end? Never put some lowly fish on a pedestal, lest we forget what really makes our day Roger

War Eagle 1/2 oz Double Willow - white (extra slender willow blades for reduced resistance & higher speed) Roger

"that guy" is off-topic

Two of the most weedless baits I've ever fished are a 'weedless spoon' (e.g. Johnson Silver Minnow) and a 'soft swimbait' (unweighted Big EZ). Both of these gems negotiate surface litter that would bog-down a Buzzbait. Since both are normally retrieved nonstop, they provide wider area coverage than stop-&-go baits like a hollow frog. Roger

When an angler tells me his favorite bait, he's merely told me what bait he fishes the most. Roger

In fact, the cover you're fishing usually plays a larger role in deciding line-test than the fish. Most any bass can be landed with 10-lb nylon line, but in heavy cover you might be happier with heavier line. Roger

Taste is subjective, but the best low-alcohol beer I've ever drank is "Anheuser O'Doul's", it actually tastes like lager beer. You can be a social butterfly all evening, and drive home sober Roger