RoLo

UH OH...Do I sense a back-reeler among us

Yes, that is true 'on average'. However, I've encountered more than one instance when finesse fishing was NOT a cure for lockjaw. We should've taken up golf Roger

Locking-down the drag is extremist. A powerful lunge from a big bass could cost you a Personal Best (in short, it defeats the purpose of the drag) Adding thumb pressure as necessary accomplishes the same end, but with greater flexibility. Roger

The best swim jig trailer hinges on the fish's current disposition. Simply put, the best swim jig trailer is a moving target. Roger

I have a powder scale from my reloading days, so I know the 'actual' weight of anything I bother to weigh. This I can tell you, lure weights are rarely accurate, and the same is true of lure lengths. For example, some weighted hooks state only the added weight, while others state the overall weight. Roger

T9, I realize that you employ fluoro line, and you realize that I don’t. Consequently, I’m sure that you've done more reading on fluorocarbon line than I have. Nevertheless, the erratic knot strength of fluorocarbon line is universal knowledge. Although I have no interest in the mechanics behind fluoro’s knot woes, the most repeated cause I've seen refers to its unusual cleavage. Apparently, minute stress cracks are inclined to elongate. Roger

I've used sinker pegs that peeled back at the nose, but that hasn't been a problem since I've been using '6th Sense' stops Roger

OH MAN, you're hooked now Might be your first, but it won't be your last Roger

Fluorocarbon has unusual cleavage (microscopic fractures) which underlies its erratic knot strength. Roger

I thought I was lucky when I reached 65, when a fishing license is no longer required. But now I'm faced with another prorational dilemma known as old age Roger

The female bass may do a little housecleaning during the spawn, but she loses her interest in food. 'Lure color' is never less important than it is during the actual spawn. Roger

As time rolls on, I see more-&-more saltwater rigs making their way into freshwater. The age-old "Slip-Sinker Rig" was reborn as the 'Carolina Rig'. The saltwater "umbrella rig" was re-introduced as an 'Alabama Rig'. The "Christmas Tree Rig" we used to catch bait for tuna (tinker mackerel) was reincarnated as a 'Sabiki Rig' ~ ~ ~ I always encourage devising you're own rigs for your own purposes, don't wait for someone else. When your rig finally makes its market debut, you can laugh to yourself....."New Revolution" indeed. Roger

Those are chubby-wubbies for sure! Roger

Very true, which can also be said when using split-shot. Happily though, without the bola effect of a C-rig and 3/4 oz egg sinker Roger

I can't speak for California, but you'll find everything on your agenda in Florida, with the bonus of Sailfish Alley, Key West, Boca Grande, Disney World, Cape Canaveral ~ ~ ~ ~ Fair Warning: a feeding bowfin can make mincemeat out of your Keitech swimbaits on back-to-back casts Roger

I've never abandoned the split-shot rig, but gave it a major facelift. The split-shot is replaced by a 1/16 oz bullet sinker which doesn't crimp your line. A tiny Spro #10 Power Swivel serves as a sinker-stop. I tie on a 15-inch leader of P-Line 10-lb CXX copolymer (excellent abrasion-resistance). You can use a 12" leader for quicker response, or an 18-inch leader for a more finesse delivery. Any bait can be used, whatever floats your boat: > Zoom 4.0" Junior Fluke > Roboworm 4.0" Alive Shad > Reins 4.0" Bubbling Shaker > Zoom 3.0" Baby Brush Hog Roger

Yes, braid will affect the running depth. A diving plug will run deeper with braid than it will with fluorocarbon. I use straight braid (but not for extra depth) Roger

Baby-diaper Yellow & Boar-snot Gray

Whenever in doubt....Punt. ~6:1 ratio Roger

It appears to be a cichlid, but I don't know which species (jack demsey?) Roger

You stated that you're not a hunter, so you wouldn't need a 375 H&H Magnum rifle to take out a grizzly bear. With regard to raw persuasion, shoot an aggressive bear with a 357 Magnum handgun, and his machismo will be promptly trivialized Roger

Braided polyethylene is kite-string that wears like iron and lasts indefinitely. Once you load your spool with braided line you've embarked on a long-term contract. You will not have to replace your fishing line until cumulative break-offs and cumulative knots from hell have finally taken the spool level too far below the spool lip. Roger

Very sound approach. Granddaughter & grandfather = Dynamic Duo! Roger

Great day on the water Mike, keep the home fires burning Roger

Showroom rods have all been flexed by hand and had their tips pressed against the floor on countless occasions. That's not a problem, as long as the rod was never over-stressed, and a flexed tip never got loose and smacked an object. Typically, floor samples are sold near cost but without a warranty, so if you get a warranty without cost, that would be a very good deal. Roger