Michael DiNardo

Be aware of the daily moonrise and moonset times, but don't forget that weather trumps all. Mike

I wear the long sleeve Columbia fishing shirt too, plus it has pockets for my Skoal.

In the strip mines that we fished, never did good where it went straight to deep water. There is usually a shallow end to a pit. It may be sloping but it usually has weeds or more cover than the straight to the deep areas. My goto lure was a 4" to 6" almost clear or motor oil ringworm.usually TRig. Mike

or a kayak... Mike

I can see that, no pun intended. Mike

Deep, that's kinda funny, I get what you are saying, but there are many lakes in this area stocked with small trout. What is missing is the genetics to grow hat big. That is why TX has the 13 lbs club or what ever they do with really big bass. The genetics to grow that big is few and far between. Mike

This is what I don't understand. Why would a wire leader keep fish from biting, but an Alabama Rig does not??? The A rig looks to be waaaay thicker wire than any steel leader that I have? Mike

Will do, thank you. Mike

I am from Southwest PA, where are these lakes? What I think RW was saying is that there is no real chance of it. Is there a bass bigger than 10 lbs swimming somewhere in PA for instance, probably. But when was the last time a 10 pounder was caught? If you travel to TX or Mexico for instance you can actually fish for a 10 that is almost certainly swimming in the water you are fishing. Mike

Where in Fairmont? Mike

Thanks for the replies, I'll try and hit some of those. I don't think I will be anywhere near Cincy, but I could go for a three-way at Skyline. Mike

I prefer a fast action rod. If you are already good at it, I would recommend a fast action. Mike

I will be going 79 S from PGH to 19 S to Beckley, WV. then 64E/77S to 81S. Mike

What type of topwaters do you intend to use? Mike

I will be driving from Pittsburgh to Johnson City, TN where I will be working next week. Any good fishing stores, besides Cabela's in Weirton, to hit on the way down. BPS, Cabela's, Gander Mtns are my "bars" when I travel. I would rather hit the local shops though that are more than just a bait shop. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike

Great recap. Sonds like an awesome time. As I was strolling down the pictures I thought OMG where is that Bulldog hat and then voila' there it was. Mike

No problems with the St. Croix. I will say it might be a bit heavier, half an ounce, heavier than a Loomis, but I'm 270 pounds, so that does not matter to me. It is built very well. I recommend the St. Croix. If you go to a flyshop, don't be surprised if they do throw in the flyline, I would ask, if you buy a higher end rod and reel. Mike

I use a few wraps of electrical tape on all my rods to keep the reel tight. Mike

All are great rods. I have a 9 1/2 7 wt, that handled some big silvers and chums in AK. Mine is a St. Croix Elite series which is within your budget. It is a very nice rod. A 9' 8 wt will handle everything you want to do as well. May I suggest a 4 piece, it is very handy to pack. Whatever you get, also buy quality line, don't scrimp on line. I would suggest a WF, weight forward, floating line. Mike

If you tend to use bigger baits get a 4/0. If you use 6" and under, you can get by with 3/0. Mike

Probably you just need a little more on the thumb or one more increment on the magnetic brake. If you watch the tournament shows I see the pros pulling out a foot or two of line sometimes too. This also happens when "walking the dog" and line gets wound without tension. Mike

This is interesting to read the different viewpoints and interpretations. I think some are taking offense that pond fishing is easy. I do not think that this was started about pond fishing v. lake fishing, but rather a private managed pond. Mike

Nice job. Mike

This is a great post, and I rarely read this section. I was never on a pro-staff, but I sold guns for about 10 years. I did push one company's guns over the others. I never received anything from them but I believed in that gun and used it for myself. I would never recommend a gun that I did not use. Also, I did not try to sell someone on the lightness of the gun, or the high mag capacity, or the finish, etc. What I did try to sell was the benefits that the gun offered. I could care less if a reel has Boca bearings or a Carbontex drag or whatever. It is how those attributes will benefit me that I care about. I guess what I am trying to say is believe in the product that you want to sponsor. If you are just trying to push product without using and believing in that product, you will be spotted as a phoney from a mile away. Mike

I have a Curado 301 DSV, it is spooled with 50 lbs braid and I use it for light musky baits. It has a deep spool and holds mucho line. It seems very easy to palm to me . Mike