Fishing Doug

That sounds like a good plan. What 5 or 6 techniques are you going to limit yourself with? This list may change, but it is looking like this: Cranks:lipless and lipped Jerkbaits:hard and soft shakey head: worm and specifically Powerbait Power Hawg T-rig: curly tail worm jig split shot:specifically w/Trick Worm I know that is a fairly 'plain vanilla' list, but, these are the techniques that I have the most confidence in and are my favorite to throw. FD

Coldwater, Are you sure it is illegal in ILL? Page 2 of the document below talks about "Bluegill as bait" and if I am reading this correctly, it is not illegal... http://www.dnr.state.il.us/fish/Digest/09Digest.pdf

Give Washington county a try. Just about 2-3 miles south of Nashville. Around 300 acre lake, 10hp motor limit. It's a lake that is normally has some sort of power bait bite going on it as the lake has a bunch of cover in it just under the surface along the banks. Good fish up to 8lbs in the lake. Agreed on Washington County. Coffeen and Baldwin are bit further than an hour, but not by much. Might give those a try. Coffeen gets a ton of pressure from tourney's, but we have had some great fishing days out there.

I actually had my first trip out on Wednesday. I fished a pond on our family farm in Mid-MO. There was still snow on the ground and a bit of ice on the upper end of the pond but we had to try it out anyway. We were out for crappie but we ended up catching more bass (on crappie jigs) than crappie with the biggest going 3lbs even. I will take that for the first week of March! We get the boat out of storage tomorrow and are planning on the first trip out with the boat next Saturday-schedules and weather permitting. Plan on heading to Coffeen. Two things we are going to focus on this year: 1. We are going to limit ourselves to 2-3 lakes in order to learn the lakes better. We jumped around so much last year that we didn't really get feel for each lake. 2. Personally, I am going to limit myself to 5-6 techniques this year. In 2007, I was that guy that would throw the same bait all day long. In 2008, I went the opposite direction and wouldn't give a bait much of a chance. I think this will make me a better fisherman.

Great fish and Great story, Paul!!!!! Keep it coming! FD

I had success on multiple trips rigging is backwards and weightless. You might give that a shot. FD

Don't rule out the Shimano Crucial. It is actually a little below your price range and, IMO, a great value rod.

Very nice lineup. How do you like the feel of the aluminum knobs in comparison to cork or 'standard' knobs? Thinking about going that route with a couple of mine.

Welcome to BassResource.com! If you haven't checked out the Northeast Bass Fishing section, be sure to give it a look. Various posts out there on Illinois lakes. FD

MBR783 IMX TD-Z 105 12 lb. BPS flouro 1/4 oz. jig head w/creature bait

The rooster rocks. Very versatile. Added it to a Bloody Mary the other day-not bad, not bad at all.

Gotcha. I can relate to that..

Micro, I thought you were 'done' with round baitcasters? What specifically catches your eye with the Morrum? Great looking reel, no doubt. FD

I voted for the brand that sells baitcasters without backplay in the handle and spinning reels that do not need maintenance before you get to use them.

I agree with what has already been said-very underrated movie.

There have been a few posts on this recently. If you do a search for "clackin rap" you should get a few results.

X-Raps have become a favorite of mine. Specifically the XR10 in Silver, Silver Blue, Hot Steal, Clown and Glass Ghost. Yeah, just about any color works for me. FD

Only time I go to a game is with free tickets. Never have payed. Only way I make it to a Cards game is if I am taking a client or a client invites me. Either way, somebody's company is paying for it and getting a tax write-off.

smoother? better casting distance? both?

I think the 783 would be a better choice for you. As mentioned in earlier posts, the 782 is going to have a REALLY soft tip. My 783 is always on my boat deck. The most versatile rod I own. FD

FD, I'm refering to the stock 80 mm TD-Z magnesium handle, they come with knobs and 4 bearings and 1/3 less weight. You can order them from Daiwa USA 1-800-736-4653 ext 8, for the Sol/Alpha you need to order the handle knot ( right or left ) and retainer. As far as I know Daiwa doesn't make oversize handles for the TD-Z, you have to go to another brands, aftermarket ( Bassart or ZPI ) or change the star drag as well and use a ZPI Zillion/Steez. http://www.mikesreelrepair.com/ sales a 100 mm carbon handle and the Revo Skeet Reese 95 mm, both fit on the TD-Z and have bearing supported knobs. Lubina, I am 99% sure that Daiwa had both the 80MM and 90MM handles on the TD-Z's. I don't have them in front of me right now so I will have to confirm, but I think my 105H's have an 80MM handle and the 100M's have a 90MM handle. I would like to have 90's on all of them.

wait-so will the Curado outcast the SX by 10 yards (per this post) or 15 yards (per your original post)? :-?

Lubina, Speaking of TD-Z handles, are you speaking of the stock Daiwa handle for $40? If so, where do I get my hands on a couple of those. 2 of my TD-Z's have 80mm handles and I prefer the 90mm handles. FD You can call Daiwa direct and order the part or handle you want. 1-800-736-4653 Ext. 8 They have a long list of schematics on PDF files on their website, right hand corner under service. www.daiwa.com groovy. thx.

IMX MBR783C and a TD-Z.

Lubina, Speaking of TD-Z handles, are you speaking of the stock Daiwa handle for $40? If so, where do I get my hands on a couple of those. 2 of my TD-Z's have 80mm handles and I prefer the 90mm handles. FD