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I used to get upset when losing a big fish. I don't lose very many, so I don't get upset any more, its all part of the game. "Its better to have played and lost , then never to have played at all!!!!!!" Life goes on, don't sweat the little things.

A three of four size EWG gama hook. I like a thin wire hook because it sticks much better on the hook set. The exception to this is when flipping or pitching heavy cover. Then I use a heavier wire hook.

Without a doubt the Classic winner, Casey Ashley"s (The Fisherman Song). If you don't get fired up about bass fishing after hearing his song, there is something wrong with you. If you haven't heard it, give it a try!!!!!!!!!!!

You guys are certainly having a ball, in a beautiful place with loads of fish.. We love the pics so keep them coming. Any peacock up your way? Looking forward to the video!

Sounds like a great day. I keep waiting for the water to drop a little more, and the fishing frenzy to start. Thanks for the report.

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great time.

Great job buddy. I'm sure your hooked for life now!

Saturday 4/4/15, Alligator Alley MM39 North Side, Temp 82*, wind SW 10, Partly cloudy, water temp 81*, light stain, water levels are above normal for this time of year, little boat traffic. I went out this morning at first light, solo. Being Easter weekend it was hard to get anyone to go. When I first got to the ramp the full moon was in a partial eclipse. The moon set before going total eclipse. I ran to the dead end and started fishing back toward the ramps. Since I was alone, and able to fish tight to the bank, I spent some time flipping a jig in the pads, and throwing a small shaky head jig. The small jig did well, but the big flipping jig zeroed. I looked for active beds, and saw none. I went to the stick-o and caught fish at a stead pace until the sun got high. Things got considerable tougher after 10:00. The only bites I could get were finesse bites, on a Texas rigged zoom centipede, at the base of the drop off. It was not an easy day, but I did manage to catch 27 bass, the largest 2,5 lbs. Although I'm still waiting for the water levels to drop, the Glades are still a fun place to fish.

I have a 2010 F 150 Lariat with 90,000 miles and its just as tight, and quiet, as the day I drove it off the lot. The best thing ever is air-conditioned leather seats. The truck before it had 250,000 miles, and was still pulling the boat all over Florida. It never, ever let me down!

Better days are on their way!!!! Get the boat out of storage and crank her up.

My bank fishing lakes have manicured grass like a golf course, but have about 10 or 15 yards of thick weeds and pads that circle these lakes, and then a deep drop off. Snakes are commonly found along the shoreline either in the thick water weeds or lying out on the manicured grass along the bank, sunning themselves. Not uncommon to see three or four snakes each trip. It always makes things interesting.

You can fish them on the surface weightless, slow fall with 1/32, on the bottom, jerk them, slow roll them, dead stick them, weed less, wacky rigged, on a jig head, and probably another ten different ways. You can work the entire water column. I can't remember the last time I was skunked using plastics. They are just so versatile, and you can always fish the nasty stuff. Just be patient, methodical, and believe!

Almost all cover is good for fish. Some cover is harder to fish then others, but almost all hold fish. Our shallow Florida Lakes are all full of cover from native to exotic. If you have seen it in a aquarium, its in our lakes. If your going to fish these lakes you learn to deal with it. Very little 8 pound test down here. If you use light tackle your going to have a very frustrating day. You often have to muscle these fish out of the junk.

South Florida fishing is a lot different then NC this time of year, but I have had to fish painfully slow to be on the bite. We have had water temps close to 78* but still had to fish slow. I'm sure another couple of weeks and your bite will improve greatly. Your fish have a lot to accomplish during the next month. Keep your line wet and good bites will come.

I too would go smaller. You have the entire ecosystem right there in a smaller package to dissect. The northwest corner warms faster then any other section of lake, because of the angle of the sun. Cloudy water will hold more heat then clear water. Take a temp gage with you and take some readings. Its all about water temp for bait fish, The bass will follow the food source. Good luck, let us know how you do.

slow plastics.

I used Trilene XL for years, but now use Big Game. It works great, is relatively cheap, and hold up in the wood and rock piles. For mono its one of the best. I use Professional grade floro on my worm rods. It is harder to deal with then mono, but super sensitive and after a while you can feel the bottom and what type of bottom is down there, super great in clear water.

I too have never fished that area. Is that all those abandoned roads that are south of alligator alley in the East Naples area? I have seen a u-tube video of a panther with cubs crossing an abandoned road out there.

I think color matters more to the fisherman then to the fish. I have colors I love and always buy, and since I fish with a bunch of others guys, I see fish biting colors I don't usually have. Buy whatever you have confidence in. Having confidence is a big part in being successful in this sport.

It all depends if I have had success at that spot before. Before leaving a spot I like, I will try changing up the presentation by speeding up, slowing down, dead sticking, jerking the bait, or slow steady crawl. I use a bait I have total faith in, as a constant producer under most conditions. Then I will move on. They don't always want the bait the same way every day, so don't be afraid to radically change up. Sometimes they want their eggs scrambled, and sometimes over easy!!!!!

Don't take pictures of 3 pounders. We catch them all the time.

Just my opinion, I didn't like the way he treated KVD. This guy is at the top of his game mentally and physically, and it seemed like Patrick couldn't wait to get rid of the KVD segment. Zero respect for the sport, or the man.

I have heard if you lay the spool of line flat on the ground, with the label facing up, it will always come off the spool and on your reel correctly. It has worked for me, but I only have one spinning reel and ten baitcasters.

The bite has been good on the Alley. Water levels are still above normal for this time of year. There are a few visible beds but still way less then other years. Most caught on an array of plastics fished slow. Good luck!

The reason for the post was not to bash the rod, but rather to see if other members were having similar problems with this rod. It is apparent after reading all the posts that a some have had problems. I have had other rods break over the years, but never two rods that both broke on their maiden voyage in a one month span of time. Although some may love these rods, it seems a number have had problems. As for micro guides, I tried them on a carbonlite rods and I broke off a guide, and my friend did the same thing on one of the Dockett Rods. I'm done with micro guides, and I'm done with this post. Sorry if any of these rod users were offended.