MarkH024

Try an alberto knot. When tied correctly, it stays incredibly thin and is a great line to line knot. If you rush it and it bunches up, you did it wrong.

First and foremost, no offense taken. At the end of the day, I don't really care the personal opinions of anyone here about their fishing choices. I'm good with what I know and what I do. So take this as a friendly discussion from me and shedding light from a different angle. I see dying bluegill (sunfish) more often than you'd think, in pads/slop and open water. Come fish the midwest northern waters where Northern Pike are ferocious predators and are predominately the apex. So much that it can create a tough situation when targeting bass. You'll see fish with razor slits all over them from pike swiping at them. The fish may get away initially, but sooner or later they rise up and if you've ever fileted a live fish, they'll move around for quite some time. The image below is not even in the dead of summer when the slop is at it's worst. (Wisconsin) I fish some pretty dense junk in the summer/fall months as do many others here. The water below me in that picture is probably 20 inches deep with your random holes that drop to 3-3.5 foot. Some areas get to 12 inches that I fish regularly and catch nice bass. There is enough areas of where the pads separate to open water allowing you to do the side to side (spook like action) with any slop bait, (frog, mice, LT Gill etc..). Is the new gill the best tool to use, maybe not. But it's exactly that, a tool. Often I see bluegill and even bass getting stuck up on these giant weed bogs simply chasing/being chased. You can bet when teh frog bite is dying and if I see any signs of gill breaking surface I'll be tying one on. The water is clear enough in the lake that they can certainly see differences in profiles and maybe that fish profile triggers a big bite. You can only eat so much frog legs and mice turds. When I referenced spook, I meant the purpose of the bait is to replicate something similar to a fish at surface struggling and/or fleeing as is this new LT gill. I did not mean it was to have an exact walk the dog action. I personally will never throw this Gill in open water when i have a box of poppers, wake baits, cigar baits etc...that simply do a better job because it's the better tool for the job. I'm sure the gill would get bit too if presented correctly. Good discussion, just don't think it's gimmicky. I see it as a new tool, a pretty tool at that and I have a nice collection of high dollar swimbaits that are mesmerizing to me. The new gill could be all solid black or white and it would probably produce the same, but that's not Live Targets deal. Their selling point is realism...and they do a d**n good job if you ask me.

All big brands are out to catch fishermen. That's how they make millions. And they leave it to the pros who represent them to show that their products work on the water by catching fish/winning tournaments, in result making more money for the company. Business is business. I love their frogs, field mice and some cranks. They make a quality product and have resulted in countless numbers for me. Not sure why the gill is being called gimmicky. Bluegill get injured and sometimes die slowly at the surface. Sometimes they flip themselves up in mats or pads and swim/flop on their side to get back in the water. It's no different than a spook imitating a baitfish, why's that not gimmicky? Ill be trying it this summer. It's not first on my list. Not like the new Matt Rat! Patiently waiting Matt!Hook a brother up!

Me and my buddies have had some good times at the Fox. Those ladies love us FIBs. Part of my bachelor party weekend was there. They beat the snot out of me.

Fox Tails. Lots of tiger stripes in that joint.

Whopper Plopper is just another rendition of a bait that has been around for a very long time and catching millions of fish. Glad to see you proved yourself wrong. It's flat out fun to fish even up to the big 190 size for Musky

There probably isn't many here that know of Pats perch. They're extremely difficult to find and most guys aren't willing to let them go. When they do get posted on online markets they go almost instantly. Last I heard was best chance of acquiring one was through the maker himself.

They have a 5 year warranty, so unless it's older than that they should service you. You will have to probably pay freight to and from. Just because you won the rod doesn't mean they won't service their product. Their customer service is great and you're a call away from an answer. http://stcroixrods.com/contact-us

Never had that issue on the 7 croix rods I own. I'd send them an email or put a call in. They'll either fix it or replace it.

Mattlures Hardgill. Deps 175 ss, ms slammers, GC 178, 3:16 FS gill, g2 shellcrackers, 68 hudds. All fish catchers. Have patience. Learn 2 or 3 baits before you buy hordes of swimbaits.

2nd night i tried it neat, slightly chilled on sipping stones. That i enjoyed much better than on the rocks. I will check out your recommendation Snakehead.

You can get them direct from Mouldy's (the maker) or Rollie and Helen's too. They're a little pricier than I'd imagine considering the stock components. I haven't fished it so that would justify the cost. I was considering to do a repaint on it just to tinker.

Siebert Fogy in bluegill with Twin Menace in Blue Sapphire. Deadly. Some of the most violent strikes have come from chatterbait fishing

I'm trying Buffalo Trace right now for the first time. It's ok but I'm not really impressed by it. I guess I'm just more of a scotch guy. It won't go to waste but don't think I'd get another bottle.

Thank you Tim!

Rummaging through my musky baits and i found this guy. Its made of wood and a metal bill. Has Heddon like components but cant pin it to anything there. Also Paw Paw lures has a jointed topwater very similar but the line tie is different. The last curve ball is the back prop on it. Could have been added but i don't believe so.

Welcome MidwestAngler93. I'm next door in Sugar Grove.

52,000 ...the same number of "The best rod for under $100" threads.

Nice swamp donkeys AK. Good start to the year!

Very informative. Thank you.

Welcome aboard. I'm in Sugar Grove

No that won't happen.

Merry Christmas Fibs!

They're great baits. Good hardware, run good with minimal tuning and the paint is excellent. 75x Crush are a must have. There are some newer cranks I've yet to try including their jerkbait. Buy with confidence

I haven't done anything yet. Interestingly enough, the noise started when the weather to date was the coldest and really dry. The past week it has been warmer and higher humidity levels with the rain we've had. The noise sounds off initially when the furnace kicks on but doesn't continue through the whole cycle. I'm still going to have my guy look at it probably after the holidays. I'm stumped because I don't know if it's just that the furnace is running less or the humidity itself is playing a part? I will definitely update you guys if and when I get it repaired.