BassinLou

Good luck, fortunately you were home. Surprise home emergencies are always fun..... NOT.

Although that fish is beautiful, to say upper 8, is suspect. I would rely on what the scale told you. 6.10 looks more like it. I was shown a pic of 8lb fish yesterday and just the girth and length made the fish you were showing look significantly smaller. Never the less AK, that fish was beautiful. Heck, I wish I would have caught it.

BTW, AK, what was the weight discrepancy between you and bass czar scales? The fish looks over 6 for sure, but you left that interesting detail out. It also looks like you are fishing with a sense of urgency since Tightlines is nipping at your heels. LOL. I think the forum is going to be quiet today with all of you guys fishing. Good luck everyone.

AK nice fish , what happen to the tape measure pic? I had to go into your gallery to find the measurement. Your 22" puts you back on top with 103" tightlinesjax has to cull out those two 19" to tie. Nice battle you two. AK to post a pic from your gallery to the thread, all you have to do is click on the media box that is inside the box where you type to post a thread. From there it will direct you to your gallery for pics. Really easy.

Congrats thus far, because that one 19" culled out your last 18" to put you on top at 101" Deepdish are you holding out on pics of the big one to keep everyone in suspense?? Because right now your in second again.

I just got in from one of my new spots. The fish ran small, and the decent one that I did mange to catch, I horsed it too much and I pulled the hooks. Caught that one on a frog it looked to be about a 17" + but I lost it. I still have 2 more days left. The good news is the new areas I was fishing at have historically produced numerous 6,7,8lb fish in the winter and spring months, so I am excited for that.

You are missing some details like size? weight? pic?

Wow! So the weather has you guys shut down today huh? I have not headed out yet, I will be heading out in short while. My weather down here is turning from Sunny to cloudy and stormy. I actually prefer cloudy and stormy looking days to fish. I will keep you guys posted of course.

Dsidle, I was compelled to comment again on your rod height. I re-read your thread, and if you are fishing a 5 1/2 ft rod for frogging, although you may be using braid, you will not get the right amount of leverage to set the hook properly. Although the 5 1/2 rod has suit you in other applications, it will hurt you for frogging. That's just my humble opinion. Lastly, the distance you will gain, with a 7ft rod and braid is ridiculous, especially when using a frog. We will leave the discussion on using a b/c for another day.

Mike D, do you have an idea when the episode will air? I would love to see it.

Changing, a piece of equipment that you are so used to it hard. However, considering a 7ft rod for frogging is strongly advised. Like I tell AK in regards to the b/c , just practice until you start getting used to it.

You're right I did, sorry. This one was also caught on a u-vibe, buzzing 2 ft from the shoreline.

Operation come back is underway. I caught a 17" to cull out one of my 15". This puts me at 80.5. Three days left!!!

AK, if you are getting birdnests that big and hard to get out, then unfortunately you are not using your thumb at all. LOL. The best thing I can tell you is practice with one of your frogs, a used one preferably. They have the right weight to practice. When you go to cast, do your best to cast easily at first. Avoid trying to whip it to other side of the lake. You will definitely overrun the spool by doing that. I started side arm at first, and over time I went over hand. My next challenge this upcoming season, is perfecting the pitch. Guys make that look so easy. Also remember to adjust the reel like explained to you months ago in one of our PM conversations. You should look up that conversation as reference again.

I have never tried a Lews spinner although I have one as a B/C. But when it comes to spinners, Shimano's are top notch. I own a few and they are nice smooth, reels that will not let you down.

Frogs!! When spro frogs first came out, I got one just to check out. This was all before I ever knew about BR. One day, while fishing nothing was working, I said what the heck, put the frog on and OMG!! The strikes and fish I caught were on unbelievable. Since then, I have used a frog as one of my main baits.

I highly recommend you do not buy another spinner. You have enough of those. You really need to practice on the B/C. Practice...practice.... practice. You have to train your thumb. TRUST WHAT I AM TELLING YOU. Many years ago, I was just like you. Spinners galore. Then a old timer friend of mine showed me the ropes on using a B/C and I slowly started to learn how to use one. Was is frustrating and challenging? YES!! But, I stuck with it, and I am very glad I did. You will only understand through time, that your leverage is different on a B/C imho. Your hooksets are different, the list will go on and on. Bottom line, its a very important skillset to have for LMB fishing. Some will disagree, but many more will agree.

AK, the time is approaching, where you would have wished you were more proficient on the B/C.

Tough question, they are both great reels. First, have you physically, palmed and get a feel of each reel? Silly, question I know, but believe it or not, some anglers do not do that first. 2nd, have you placed the reel on the rod you intend on using? That helps you get a feel of the reel and rod's balance. I enjoy both of those reels, and each of them serves me differently. Your decision, will be rendered based on the answers of question 1&2, imho.

It's unbelievable what happens in the animal world that we miss. Great footage thank for sharing. There was also rare pics taken of an eagle killing a deer in the AP press today.

CONTEST UPDATE!!! I have a feeling many of us are going to hit the water pretty strong this weekend. At least I know I am and my gameplan is in place. Here is the latest top 5 and their numbers. 1. Tightlines Jax 5 fish 100" 1. Deepdish Panda 5 fish 100" 2. Dsidle 5 fish 85" 3. MCS 5 fish 83.5" 4. JaxBasser 5 fish 83" 5. CapitolIP 5 fish 79" I am currently in 6th with 78.5", I will closing that gap really quick, beginning today. Dsidle and MCS, I luv ya, but I am aiming for one of your spots. *** Big fish honors right now go to DeepdishPanda with a 6.3lb 21" fish. BTW AK pics pls!! Good luck everyone. This is going to be a mad dash to the finish line!!

I almost forgot, my everyday outfit has 30lb power pro, on a 7ft MH Avid. My everglades outfit is a 7'4" Rage on 50lb braid. Trust me either set up, when you hook up on a nice bass, you feel the connection right away. When my arm and shoulder act like the shock absorber, I know that fish isn't going anywhere.

Reading both Dsidle and Deepdish. Both situations, unless deepdish changes already, braid would have increased your chances of a hook up. Especially if your frogging. You're looking to maximize the hookset. on a frog, be it soft plastic or hollowbody, you have to secure the hookset with those big hooks. Braid in my opinion, increases that chance by having zero stretch. That and the backbone of the right B/C will increase the chance even more.

I hate it when that happens. Some of those fish are definitely camera shy. LOL

Couldn't have been a gator if you are that far North. You said the turtle was the size of your hand, that's a small turtle. Could have been a land animal. Since turtles come out to sun themselves. Lol we are trying to be turtle CSI`s