Ratherbfishing

Personal best and second to personal best were each caught on Glass Shad Raps (White and Chartreuse). I do use other cranks as well but the Shad Rap has been my best.

I could do the same thing all the time and get (perhaps) pretty good at it but I still much prefer to learn and apply a lot of techniques. Really, it is a lot more fun to try different things. Plus, I think I do catch more that way. The fish seldom remain constant and certainly the weather doesn't.

...but plenty of lies! : )

The other day I was trolling a countdown Rapala for suspended crappie and began acquiring severe line twist. What would cause this? I've never seen a crankbait cause fierce line twist before. I wonder, maybe, if sometimes I wasn't trolling too fast at times and the lure was rolling. Have I answered my own question?

If this person has a 5-gallon bucket, I tell them NOTHING!

Very often our strength is what we started with or the first thing which actually worked more than a few times. Most people, being creatures of habit, prefer to stay in their manageable little comfort zone, and will confine themselves to a few "tried and true" techniques-even when they don't persist in remaining true. If we step outside of our box and add new techniques, our strengths will increase accordingly.

There were a LOT of things I couldn't do when I was 15. Take heart in knowing that delayed gratification is a valuable discipline to possess. Perhaps this isn't your parents motivation but regardless, it will carry you when times are lean.

smallmouth, smallmouth (pretty nice ones at that)

If all else fails, amputate! ; )

You're not alone. I, too, like the Mighty Bug-although I wish the head were a little tougher (they like to slide off the hook easily).

Far and away my favorite prop bait is the Heddon tiny torpedo. It has just the right weight and action. I used to like devil's horses (still do for mono) but if you primarily fish braided line (like I do), you'll find the limp braid will often wrap around the front prop and ruin the cast.

and? Oh, that's all? I assumed that was always the case. I was around 12 when I got the bug. What did I learn? How much money could be spent chasing a little green and white fish around a lake.

Sorry if that seemed mean-spirited. I just have to work with the State of Illinois a lot and have had a belly full.

I say we regulate the living *&^$# out of everything-so much so that not only do we lose the intent or purpose of it but also the joy!

You are not alone however, for me, the "culprit" is a two-man Bass Raider. I've used it constantly this season and last but my 17 foot boat has only been taken out...maybe 3 times. I, too, am considering selling the big boat as it mostly just takes up space in my garage. If I buy a kayak-which I'm seriously considering-that will probably be the clincher.

Hey New Guy! Welcome to the "club." I have a sister and bro-in-law in Lincoln. Nice town. Are there many lakes there?

A Berkley Chigger Craw texas-rigged.

A (the) Giant Haskell Minnow. I understand it brought over a hundred thousand dollars at an auction.

I hear some people rave about Clinton Lake which is the closest impoundment to where I live. Naturally, therefore, because it is so convenient, I can't seem to catch anything there but stunted white bass and the occassional catfish. I have a friend who used to work at the Marina and he fished there quite regularly. He had what he called his regular "milk run" where he went and caught bass. Now he says he, like me, can't catch a cold there.

The times I've been to Lake of the Woods Canada I've only used my bass gear though there have been times when I'd wished I'd had stouter stuff. A long 7 to 8 foot rod will get baits out farther and I think this is advantageous as both pike and musky will sometimes follow a bait a considerable distance before they decide to attack it. If you ever fish heavier in-line spinner baits, a low gear ratio baitcasting reel (with its increased torque) will help you save your wrist a lot of pain. Smaller pike are fun but if you ever think you will "up your game" to bigger fish, stouter gear is best.

Collectively: Chigger craws, Brush Hogs, and Sweet Beavers

Don't be too surprised if/when the black eventually turns to purple. It shouldn't effect the fishability though.

End of discussion as far as I'm concerned.

An argument begins when one person can't respect another's opinion. Calling my opinion (and others), "nonsense" falls under this, I think.

What he said. I've very little actual experience with using Quantum reels so I can't speak on this. However, being owned by Zebco, (famous for their "starter reels"), Quantum has an image problem. Whether it's a valid argument or not, many fishermen have the mind set of "I want to graduate up, not move down."