RoLo

KUDOS....Your Roland Martin thumb speaks volumes! Roger

For the multi-species freshwater angler, you'd be real hard pressed to best anything produced by the In-Fisherman staff and "Lindner's Angling Edge". Roger

I'm in no position to debase or champion any method used in California, but this much I can offer. The mean year-round catch-depth in most of Florida's dishpan lakes is "FOUR-FEET" (you read that right). Differently put, the bass my boat passes over are bombarded by close-range sonar pulses originating at a mean distance of 4 feet. Throwing caution to the wind (sonar ON / fluoro leader OFF) we do manage to boat our fair share of double-digit bass. Roger

I have yet to find a scientific treatise that substantiates the influence of the sun or moon on bass spawning. With regard to the timing of the spawn, 'photoperiod' displays a greater influence than lunar phase or water temperature. In the vegetable kingdom as well, ‘photoperiod’ is the event trigger, while air temps and water temps are just coincidental indicators. Shaw Grigsby & Peter Thliveros earned a living in Florida by catching bedding bass. Based only on calendar period (day-length), they've taken bedding bass during all moon phases and in water temperatures in the 50s. To appreciate that feat, some years in central Florida (e.g. this year) the water temperature never reaches the 50s. Furthermore, temperature changes that occur during the actual spawn are generally well-tolerated by spawning bass, unless of course they exceed deadly extremes. From all appearances, 'high winds' are more damaging to spawning success than water temperature change, and windblown bedding flats appear to be the major cause of missing year-classes. Roger

Ain't that the truth. In tidal waters, the Tide Tables is our bible.

My bad! I should've said fully mature gizzard shad in comparison to the max length of threadfin shad.

Exactly. It's a biological phenomenon called 'ecological recruitment'. In the ongoing battle for prime territory, 'might makes right'. That is: if you occupy my space, you’ve moved to the top of the menu Roger

Not catching a bass in a new pond is a whole lot better than catching a bunch of runts. 'Population density' and 'trophy production' are inverse attributes, you can't have it both ways. Roger

Is this a hint to watch my blood pressure ? Nah, just skin-deep humor

I heard that Welcome aboard Dave Roger

Hmph...Not Yet!

Good point. Gizzard shad are rarely a meaningful source of bass forage, a title that belongs to threadfin shad. As it happens, "hand-size" kind of treads the line, which can be attained by fully adult threadfin shad but is more likely to be middling gizzard shad. Roger

Nylon monofilament line is here to stay. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and nylon has been imitated indefatigably, but has yet to be meaningfully surpassed. By the by, "nylon" is the portmanteau for New York & London. Roger

FYI: "Lunar" is the root word for "lunatic"

"There's A Reason Bass Resource Is #1" Yes, there is a reason, and I believe his name is Glenn

Thank you, now I know why it takes so long!

Your priorities are in order

In northerly climes, a winter die-off of threadfin shad is a common annual event. As you correctly stated, these fishkills are the brainchild of the 'jerkbait'. You mention a 20-deg temp change from one day to the next, so I assume you're referring to air temps. On a small pond (1.5-2 acres) that was evidently enough to trigger a noticeable fishkill. Roger

Ya gotta love angler versatility

"Best Skipping Reel" I'm gonna say Shakespeare I tossed that reel SO hard, it skipped 5 times before finally sinking to the bottom

I won't go there. If you're using a composite blank, then presumably you've already addressed shock absorption. Roger

A stylish little devil, but may not last very long in the Florida sun

Same as what?

Yeah the good ole days. My dad (Joe Louis era) was a Golden Gloves boxer too. He belonged to 3 YMCAs at the same time.

Hah, when I was 6-ft by 135 lbs, I punched the bag and sparred with my friends in the basement. Now I’m 6-ft by 220 lbs and I don’t even know where my boxing gear is.