jkarol24

I use 65 lb Power pro for all frogging and flipping. I don't like suffix 832 because its too smooth to me, but others prefer it for that same quality.

I am a very big stickler for a sharp hookpoint. That is, a RAZOR sharp hookpoint. The only hooks I dont sharpened are ones with very brittle metal (gammies, Trokar) because you will never be able to get them back to or better than new. Otherwise, sharpen away!

I'm fairly positive they are pike. They laugh at 14 lb mono and are very prevalent in the canal, plus they LOVE spinnerbaits

You've been catching Northern Pike, theres a ton of them in the Canal and they love spinnerbaits. They have lots of very sharp teeth and can easily bite through 14 lb line. Use braided line or tie on a wire leader and you will catch ém.

Or you could just get a spinning reel

Whatever you do, don't get a bigger boat with a smaller motor to save $$. An under powered bass boat should be illegal...

Jigs last me a long time, usually i lose them long before they get to the point of un-usability. However, if a jig goes its because the hook loses its razor sharpness. I am a stickler for a super sharp jig hook, so anything less gets the boot.

Those old "ugly docks" are usually the best ones on the lake. The older the better, and a bigger plus if their wood.

x3 on the Powells, very good rods. I also enjoy my Veritas rods as well, very nice

I also use Power Pro in the green color, 15-20 lb for spinning and 30-65 for baitcasters. The mono backing is a very good idea, and the uni-uni is a good knot. However, look up the alberto knot, much easier and VERY strong. As well, if you are afraid of losing bites due to visability, use a 3-5 ft fluoro leader.

Skipping is one of the most important tools for fishing docks. I prefer braided line because i can "feel"it better under my thumb rather than fluoro (i do use a short fluoro leader). I use 30-40 lb power pro, it has a lot of texture so i can control it much easier with my thumb. I use a Shimano Curado 200E7 reel and a 7'med/hvy rod with a fast tip that will load up a bit. The curado has a wider than normal spool which makes line management slightly easier, and the med/hvy rod loads up nicely to sling the jig without a ton of effort. I still use a 2-handed cast but you dont need to make a hard cast. I prefer skipping a 3/8 oz jig with a larger, flat trailer for more surface area. Using an Arkie head style jig makes it easier but it is not essential. The key is to make the cast as paralel to the water as possible, maintaining thumb contact with the spool at all times. I dont set the brakes any different than normal, but some prefer adding more brake. As the jig starts skipping further and further away, you want to steadily raise your rod tip up to create lift on the jig, keeping it skipping even though its losing momentum. This is also beneficial as you can then follow the jig down with your rod tip when it starts sinking for a vertical presentation.

I had the same thoughts and bought my first bass boat this summer at the age of 17. I love the thing, but its ALOT of work and ALOT of money. I basically took my bank account and drained it.... I've put more $$ into the boat than i paid for it, plus i just blew the motor. I would suggest waiting until you have the capital to buy a nice newer boat, because the old boat that i have is a money pit like any old one. If you have to have it, its do-able but be prepared to be broke...

Hold it sideways with the opening face down and give it a shake, it will come out. Its just small enough to fit out, the allowances are pretty tight

O sweet jesus, im at a loss for words. Congrats john, the bass are tremblin!! Need a fishin partner

I pull my 17'6" bass boat w/ 150 HP merc with my '99 jeep cherokee (4.0 ltr inline 6) with no propblems. You can deffinantly feel it back there, and it takes longer to accelerate, but otherwise its fine. I havnt had and problems pulling the boat up the ramp either, especially if i shift into 4wd low, but I only do this on the steep ones. Just be super cautious about braking, and even more cautious in the rain.

Ha my neighbor caught me once flipping and pitching to the trees in my yard. He thinks im crazy...

Up here in Rochester, NY we have the BEST burgers due to a little known condiment known as meat sauce. Essentially, its ground beef, chili powder, onion, allspice, and other fine ingredients (think greasy chili minus the beans plus more heat). So yes, this means that we put a meat condiment on top of meat. I'm to the point where i cannot order a burger or dog outside of Rochester because no one even knows what meat sauce is; the hamburger experience elsewhere is frankly not up to par. And dont even get me started about the garbage plates (its sort of a sandwhich...). Essentially, one puts 2 choices of : fries, homefries, mac salad, potato salad, or baked beans in a takeout box, tops that with 2 meats (my choice is cheeseburgers) and then gets covered in ketchup, onions, and lots and lots of meat sauce. DELICIOUS!!!

Send 'em both to me and i'l give them a good test and get back to you Although first instinct says the one on the right, the other also looks very nice!

The tourney ended up being pretty rough, and a few teams came in with nothing. I ended up in 24th out of 40 with one bass for 1 lb 13 oz, winner was at about 10 lbs. I cycled through 8 different spots and just couldnt get them going. I even fished some docks as a last resort and those didnt even produce. If the lake was up 5 ft, i would have been in shallow flipping paradise, but that was not the case. It was blowing pretty good but everything just seemed inactive...

I use 1/0 or 2/0 gammi weedless finesse hooks and love them. I've never had any problems with hookups. My setup consists of 20 lb braid to a 3-5 ft leader of 12 lb fluoro. The hookset consists of a combination sweep and reel which sets that hook right in top of their mouths.

I will see you there, im fishing for RIT. The launch is at netbush park in henderson (southeast end) and the entire west end is off limits.

I absolutely love my Costa 580G Man o' War shades. Green mirrored lenses is the way to go

I use 40 lb braid with a 5-6 ft leader of 14 lb CXX copoly for shock and abrasion around rocks and zebra muscles.

Its night and day. I didnt know what i was missing until i bought costa 580G shades. Simply amazing...

6" straight tail roboworm