Spankey

I love that. I am very similar. My wife’s Brother Label Maker get a work out from my stuff. Good fishing.

Not a bad idea if you are gaining something from it I guess. I fish ALOT of crankbaits. I have way MORE than I need. We all probably have are favorites and most productive ones. A pattern I would not normal throw will catch my eye and I say “I’ll catch one on that” and normally I will. Next thing you know after 40 years you have a nice collection of Rappy DT’s, Bombers, Bandits or Strike King XD’s. But I can’t think of many that I’ve not caught a bass on. It’s easy for me to see and find what I’m after. My CB’s are not mixed up. I keep all my XD’s together. Same with a DT. Somewhat organized in the Plano box by size and color. My Bandits are probably laid out the best. Never been an issue. I recently picked up some Rapala, Daiwa, 6th Sense in pink. I’ve never caught or tried to catch a smallie on pink in my lifetime. With any luck I will this year. Bought pink in lure versions that are productive and I’ve always caught fish on.

It’s probably a fantastic rod. But I couldn’t drop that kinda coin and not know what it feels like first. I’ve had Cabelas, BPS and local tackle shop order me in a few rods and walked out with what was the feel I was looking for. That said they were not $400 rods. Stick to your plan and try to touch one first.

Back when we were fishing through the 70’s and 80’s those 7 foot and 7 1/2 foot rods were not even heard of much or ever. Long rods come to mind with steelhead and carp guys. When I get home from work I’m gonna dig up an old BPS Catalog and look at some of the lengths. River fishing crankbaits for Smallies I prefer a shorter length rod. Easier for drift fishing up under trees. I’m not that tall anyway. 6 foot or 6 1/2 foot gets it done. But I do fish 7 foot rods a lot.

I guess casting distance can be increased. But with a longer rod at hook set you can get more line off the water faster. Probably works itself into somewhat of a mechanical advantage.

I’ve been working in heavy industrial equipment repair my whole life. Many years ago I started taking hydraulic valves, motors and pumps I’m repairing apart on/in a large steel cookie sheet. Solves the rolling away problem. Maybe the wife has something laying around. Cover the surface with a couple of shop rags. That will keep everything in place.

I fish spinnerbaits on the smaller side, river fishing for smallies. Black being the most productive. But I fish that more often. White and firetiger also being productive. I am not a Musky fisherman. Any Musky I’ve ever caught has been an accidental catch while smallie fishing. Managed a few Musky on these smaller spinnerbaits over the years. Not huge, 24”-34” range fish.

I am also, could have that on the stove everyday. But it’s not. Done with fresh cooked down endive and spinach is my favorite. Everyone makes theirs a bit different.

That sounds great Mike enjoy it. Everyone deserves to have some perks and positive light during their work career. I have and have been appreciated over the years. I appreciated who I’ve worked for. I’m now ready to retire in a few months. Pulling the plug two years early. New company acquisitions, unqualified management, loss of company direction the reason for my decision. I’d sooner retire than get down right bitter. I’m looking forward to it. Keep it fun and like able on the job. Time will go by fast. It has for me. Good luck and enjoy your off time.

Soups is one thing my wife excels at when it comes to cooking. One of the main reasons I’ve kept her. She makes a wicked chicken and turkey corn chowder. This is what I’ve seen and have been told. I’m not a fan of those two. But I’m always ready for chicken veg, turkey noodle, beef veg, Italian wedding, chicken w/rice. Sounds great what you’re doing.

That sight was great years ago. What truly happened at the crash and big fight years ago I’ve yet to ever know. Fished with some great smallie heads from there. Fished a few rodeos. Was a good time. That site has little to no activity for a long time. Situation is a shame.

Any baits that I’ve used that are pre-scented and what few spray scents I’ve used I could not honestly say that they have helped. BUT I don’t believed they have ever hurt or compromised anything while fishing.

T hope you get to feeling better soon. Crazy stuff and you probably take precautions. I don’t know how I didn’t get it yet. Work has not been effected for me since day one of the pandemic. In some essential group for the work I do. Am around people day to day. Had shots and booster (did have side effects) so maybe there is something to the shots. This time of year I get miserable as cat crap anyway. That light deficiency or lack of sunlight kills me. Like a poked bear. I catch a bit of fishing shows also. Tear down my surf reel, hard used freshwater reels and want to make a repair to my trolling motor soon. Nothing real complicated. Can’t wait to see the look on the wife’s face when she comes home from work that day and sees it on the dining room table. I’m not freezing my butt off in the garage. Get well soon.

Mr. Twister Silk Worm 4.5 Berkley Power Finesse Worm

I find them great to have around. They are a good change up when you want to get away from throwing the regulars you throw. I fish my finesse worms with Grammy Lite Wire Straight Worm Hooks. They center hook ribbed baits just fine. Split shot rig. But if I were in the bass Mecca of the country I’d most likely not be using the lite wire worm hooks. Majority of my worm fishing is on the finesse side. That hook gets it done. I’m sure most of you guys will not agree on this but I find the Tru-Turn worm hooks to work just fine. Those and the Grammys I’ve been fishing a long time.

My progressive Sunglasses for fishing are my sunglasses for everything. Have had polarized for as long as I remember. If you need the progressive for up close, and start getting accustomed to them, the minute you abandon them you will not be happy. The progressive will not have any effect on fishing. Not sure if this is the right word but everyone’s stigmatism is different. Your eye dr. Should be able to accommodate your needs. I have a progressive in my shooting glasses. They tried it without it at first. Than they redone them. World of difference.

I think you’ll like that for LIGHTER cranking. 3/8 and lighter baits. Only falcon rod I own. I think you’ll like it. Try to touch one first and see if tip is soft enough for you. One of my nicest bass of all time I caught on that rod but had it rigged with a 4” craw. The rod is pretty universal. And not real fast. Hard to find a decent Moderate or Mod.Fast spinning rod these days. Abu Garcia and St. Croix have medium moderate for lighter cranking as well. If you also look at some house brands of rods I think you will find a tip that might fall in line with a moderate fast tip. BPS, Cabela’s might not say mod. or mod. fast but will be.

For the most part St. Croix and Abu Garcia rods, primarily Shimano and Abu Garcia reels. I fish a Falcon and a Loomis setup as well. I don’t leave home without them.

If I could throw out there another 4.5 finesse worm I fished this past season, ribbon tail worm from a mfg. called Dry Creek Outfitters. Caught fish, I like it. That smaller worm with a ribbon tail dried up a long time ago in my area. One that I just stumbled upon. It’s a perfect lite t-rig and split shot worm for me.

The Okuma Guide Select CB Rods have a heck of a lot of options. They look to Cover a wide variety of crankbait styles. Be nice to find a dealer who had them in stock to see them. I’ve never owned an Okuma.

Not that it will be new but I have some X Zone Plastics (worms) I’ll fish more and harder this year. Did ok with their crawfish caught a few river runts on them. They hold up well.

Hope you get to feeling better. Some of my inner circle is getting it and some of my daily circle of people are coming down with it. They are not doing too bad in the full scheme of things. I hope I stay lucky. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

I'm a huge Rappy fan. Shad Raps possibly my favorite with DT's right there with it. They have a place. I've never fished in Florida but don't see why a Shad Rap would not work. Don't see why a DT would not work. Other cb's could be better suited for your environment. On the river I fish the heck out of the No. 5's, Lake fishing I prefer a 7, 8 or 9. bigger profile. Even they are not that big compared to some of the Gizzard Shad or Herring in the lake I fish.

For many moons I’ve used the St. Croix Premiere Cranking Sticks. They are good rods, I like their version of a moderate action. They discontinued them some time back. I think SC has them incorporated into their higher end rods now. Over the last few years I’ve jumped on the Abu Garcia bandwagon and fish a couple of the Veritas “Winch” Series rods. I’m more than satisfied with these rods. I prefer Cork but the style of foam on here is not a problem. I don’t think about it. Took a bit of time to get use to the fact they are white rods, in color but that didn’t take long. Got over that after the first bass caught with it. To me well worth the $100-$110. $80 at TW Sale. Asked for an Abu Garcia Ike Delay rod for Christmas. Be a while before I fish it. It’s gonna be just fine. To me feels identical or close to the Veritas. Rod is a crankbait rod. She scored a good price on that rod from TW BF sale. The Abu rods are nice, I don’t base my buying of it by reviews or opinion too much. Went by feel and touch. On water test would be nice but I wasn’t that lucky. Getting some opinions will be good but try not to buy one untouched. Try to find the one you want or have someone order it in for you to feel it. If you can put your reel on it when you are deciding that helps even more. You’ll know if it is right.

A disease and a sickness so I’m told.