MarkH024

A former site sponsor known as JJ's Magic would do the trick for some colors. You can find them on TW or buy direct from their site. I actually only use their clear but I know a lot of guys here like to use the Chartreuse to tip some of their worms/flukes.

This may help you in the future to identify differences. Nice fish and welcome to the addiction.

Because the sport doesn't pull in enough viewing money and advertisement to the network. We're peanuts compared to college football/basketball, and all the other big sports. Fishing as a sport is wide spread, but still lack in numbers compared to other sports. It's all about money, no one cares about exposure. What ever sports and shows add zeros to the ends of numbers gets maximum air time. ESPN however shows all the ELITE series and a few tidbits here and there. Check ESPN 2 and Classic. It's better than nothing.

Don't think that is accurate. Premiers were always made in Park Falls unless they changed it as of late. Website still reflects that they're USA as well. Triumph/Mojo/Rage/Eyecon/Panfish are all in the Mexico assembly plant. Also to the OP, Cabelas carries a special line of Premiers with split grip handles if that is of any factor to you. Everything else noted here I agree with that the AVID is all around better.

I'd only do replicas on a DD LMB, 6+ Smallie, or a 50"+ Musky/Pike. Everything else is a photo for the memory book. Regarding gut hooked bass, I'll let nature serve dinner. Plenty of turtles and birds that could use a free meal. Bass just isn't good tasting to me, so I'd rather it go to better use. I can't remember the last time I've hooked a bass to where it is actually bleeding out, which is a good thing!

Koppers LiveTarget Frog

Thanks Griz. Haven't quite gotten out as much as I intended to this year. Had a couple horrible outings too. Hard water is approaching fast for us northerners so i'll probably only be out 1 or 2 more times before I have to winterize the boat and hang it up for the season.

Yes as long as I' m not fishing in the 7th layer of Eurasian Milfoil hell, which is quite often.

I will definitely report back. I'm hoping the weather cooperates. Right now they're calling for a frozen mix and a high of only 50. Lets hope that smallie tip is true. Haven't caught any smalljaws this year yet.

Thanks for the detailed report Cad. Appreciate it.

#10 or #12 Magnum blades are like throwing garbage can lids out and trying to retrieve them. It's brutal to get them going but once you do it's not too bad....not until you're a few hours into it. lol.

I found a grey hair today if it makes you feel any better. My first.. (that I know of) Throwing the A-rig has to be easier than a double cowgirl musky bait with magnum blades....if not, then I will never throw one. Forget that.

Nice day on the water Branden. You guys nabbed a good handful of bass from one spot it looks. I ordered a 68 in Perch from Hudd direct. Been waiting forever for it.....extremely slow. I was hoping to use it next week but I doubt it will get here.

I thought you told me you hated it? lol

Beautiful fish Lucky Craft!

So you're using a rod with a busted tip? If that's the case, that would be a big portion of the problem. Not really sure I quite understand. Also like others mentioned, if you're fishing a muck bottom lake you'll have a hard time feeling bottom contact. Shouldn't have an issue feeling strikes ....but that rod is more than likely the issue.

It would help if you told us what you're using. Rod and line specifically?

X2. It is so much fun. I could punch all day long.

What are the specs on the rod? Power/Taper?

If you continue to use them, try cutting the X in the seal and see if that helps. Might want to use pliers or forceps to pull the bait out so your hands to rip it to pieces. I have done this and it does help. Side note, the grubs that gulp makes works great on panfish. I'll never use night crawlers again for panfishing because they do just as good and you get a million in a little jar. Very convenient, can't wait to take my kids out when they're old enough.

Cad, let me know how Geneva does. Fishing there pretty soon and could use any insight.

Don't go really heavy on the pressure or it'll cause the line digging in itself before you even get to use the thing and on the first cast it'll explode on you. Especially if you're not used to casting braid. Just a moderate pressure from two fingers. I use a line spooling station so I can set my tension while the spool is hooked up to that and not have to worry about using my fingers. The reel clamps into the seat and you can just crank it on and just make sure it is going on nice and level. It's worth the small investment in my opinion to get a spooling station. BPS and Berkley make them.

No. They'll be honing in on your lure...not your line. Frog away. FYI, yellow is hi vis line meant for the angler to see, specifically when watching the line is key (finesse). Not really a factor in frog fishing but definitely still useable. Next time think about green, brown or camo lines for better blending in the pads/vegetation.

IL and Wisconsin ($50 for non-resident annual) I think that is just to stick it to the FIB's!

Yea, plano I thought came out with a Gulp exclusive container but I could be wrong. One thing to do is instead of tearing the seal off the rim, cut an X into is so that the edges are sealed. If you have bear claw hands this might be tricky. Last resort, electrical tape around the edge of it.