Michael DiNardo

2nd the tinboats.net suggestion. Like buying a house, look at as many as you can for ideas. Mike

Without knowing anything about the river, more details on the river type would help, you have to fish current breaks. Regardless of the river size, the fish will be located in slack water next to the current. Cast upstream and fish downstream as bait naturally flows in the river. Make you bait look natural. Mike

I don't know how to describe this but I'll try: push the hook forward slightly while pushing away from the barb then removing the hook. This opens the hole a little but hopefully gets the tissue out of the barb. Also the sidecutters are a good idea. It is pretty common in muskie fishing to sacrifice yuor hooks. Mike

I missed the BASS event, but the FLW was awesome. I hand it to the pros that did not qualify, they were very easy to talk to and were great with the kids. I went to the dock for the final day takeoff and all I can say is it was way cool. Mike

I tried lefty a few years ago, and it is a natural feel to me. I have both right and left reels and can use either effectively. I fish from shore and wade, when fishing a big river I will use either right or left depending on the side of the river I am fishing. Since I try to reel downstream for the most part, I want to reel on the downstream side of the reel. I think it gives more power to the hookset. Mike

I heard today that a Bass Tournament is scheduled for PGH in the next few years. I do not know if BASS or FLW. Has anyone heard this news? Thanks, Mike

63 and thank you for the opportunity. Mike

JamesD I think someone beat me to it, but you definitely need more line on your spinning reels. Most say fill to within 1/8" of the lip. I fill the spool more than this. With a 3/8 oz lure your abus should cast farther than you can effectively set the hook. It may be a cleaning or proper setup issue. I feel your pain on shore fishing and not being able to cast to bass that are busting shad. I have the same problem on the Ohio river. For the spinning reels I would drop down to 10# line and fill the spool. Loading the rod is kinda like pulling a bow, the rod has to absorb the weight of the lure in the opposite direction from where you are casting. Also, keep the point of the rod tip up until the lure hits the water (follow through) this will cause less drag on your line. Good Luck Mike

Sweet!!!

I use that rod for about 75% of everything I throw. Unless it is a heavy jig, frog, or something similiar this rod works. Especially when it is a St. Croix Avid. Mike

Have you looked at the Stratos 186 XT, especially in that price range. Mike

It definitly sounds like a sales gimmick. I heard another pro say there was no stretch in floro. Mike

You may want to talk to DVT first. Mike

"Back in the day", plenty of fish were caught on reels that were in the 5's. I think way too much is made about gear ratio, just fish what you got. If you really need to take up more line at hookset, get a longer rod. Mike

Whatever rod, get a medium-heavy fast action 7' or 7'6". I do like the Veritas or the Field and Stream Tech Spec Elite from DSG. Mike

Two points to the Rooster Tail suggestion, think fishing stream smallies like you are fishing trout. Small floating Rapalas and Rebel Teeny Crayfish are a big hit. Mike

Thanks for getting back to the original question. If I was trying to catch a DD in PA, my concentration would be on a seldom fished farm pond, golf course lake, or a strip mine lake. I would bet that the same conditions apply to WI. Mike

Exactly, "achieve it's genetic potential", without the genes, all the nutrition in the world won't do it. Mike

If relative prey species are the limiting factor in growth, where is the world record smallie from Erie? Those fish have more gobies than they know what to do with. It's genetics, just like in humans, seven foot centers aren't playing basketball because they ate right. Mike

My first real reel. Mike

What about Champlaigne? Sorry if it is spelled wrong, but most should know the lake. Mike

Ya beat me to it.....X2 Mike

PA is a pretty big state, might want to say where in PA you are visiting. Mike

I don't think Bladesmith means the actual drag, I think he means the spool tension knob. If I'm wrong and drag does have some control over backlashes, then I just leaned something. Mike

Citica over the Skeet reel. Actually, Citica over just about everything at the same price. Mike