coots

It never struck me that people would confuse my handle, but a thread the other day made me realize that some may not know it's my last name. I know some took it for Coots as in the ducks, and yes, I had a lot of names in school such as Cootiebird etc.

Thanks for the response. I'll try not to bother them to much for awhile. Maybe they'll see my thread and give me some pointers for starting out.

Sorry for the delayed response guys. I bought the SPRO SB60 BBZ-1 Jr. Slow Sink in Sexy Lavendor Shad

No offense, but you can keep Chicago and anything/everything pertaining to Chicago

Actually if you'll go to the Line section of this forum, you'll see a post labeled "What is wrong with me and Flouro" where it was talked out quite a bit. And yes, I tried Vicious line, along with what would consider some really great lines from Seagaur, etc. The way we fish and where we fish, flouro isn't for me. Others have different opinions, like I said, see the thread.

I forgot to mention, do a quick search for a thread around here that mentions, or asks a question rather, to the effect of "Well if a fish isn't scared of an Alabama Rig with all those 5 wires and weighted hooks and things flying around, surely it isn't scared of line. Right?" There is a whole theory about why a fish would hit an A-rig and be scared of line in it that I found interesting. Anyway, have fun!

I'll mention something again that has been slightly mentioned so far. Those Red Eye Shad's... IN MY OPINION, need the hooks changed out on them as soon as they come out of the box. Take it for what you want to take it as. It was recommended to me when I first started, I didn't listen, glad i finally started listening. I learned this lesson the hard way down on Logan Martin at a bass club away tournament. We were struggling, had a local guy help us out and talk with us about what pattern they were on, some hot spots to try etc. Went and bought some Strike King shakey heads, we kept sticking them, they kept tossing the hook. It wasn't just me, but it was me AND my dad having issues. Either sharpen the hooks or put new ones on in the case of the RES's. Other than that, all the post above is what I've always been taught.

This should be fun! *grabs popcorn and a coke* I've done a lot of reading on this as well, from braided line to coloring the last 3 feet with a marker, to I fish straight yellow braid, to red braid to camo copoly, to invisible flurocarbon is the way to go, brad with fluro leaders..... it's endless friend. I am personally at the point in my fishing experience that I am going straight braid in a green color (PowerPro). Why? It's what matches the water for the most part on Lake Guntersville and I am tired of snapping Fluro in mid-cast. So get ready, because it's about to get real up in this thread!

I know there is probably endless ways to fish this bait. I just picked me one up and have my sights on a couple others in different patterns. Anyway, I'm new to this type fishing and was just looking for some basics to help me with WHEN to fish it, and a general principle of WHERE to fish it... and the techniques you guys have had success in doing so. Bought this one from a local tackle shop... dad ended up buying a Bull Shad at the same time I bought the BBZ-1.... head to head competitions coming up?! Looks like it!

Made the mistake of forgetting my water at home last year. That will be the last time I ever.. and I mean EVER go without something to drink. Anyway, as far as food goes. We usually make some type of sandwiches as well. However, I've found out that a banana goes a long way out there. List goes something like Sandwich (PB&J, anything else) Jerky - all kinds of flavors Banana Crackers - we like the Lance Variety Packs Sunflower Seeds hungry? why wait? Grab a snickers!

If y'all guys get together let me know. Are y'all staying on the Lake or down in B'ham?

Thanks for the reply. I figured if we decide to go down to the EXPO, it opens at 10 I think, the weigh in doors open at 3.... might try to do the EXPO around 12:30 or so... give us a couple hours to hang out there and whatnot. Then walk over for the weigh-in.

Hey guys, This is going to be mine and dads first year going to the Classic. At first we was like, man... we live 5 minutes from the place these guys are fishing but to only have to drive 2 1/2 hours to go see them weigh-in... WE'RE OUT! As it has gotten closer and all the talk around the bait shops and breakfast table has heated up, we're excited for it. So I have a couple questions about this whole deal. 1. If we were to go watch them on Saturday fishing, what is the appropriate rules for watching these guys fish? I mean I know the obvious, I wouldn't even be touching a fishing pole while they are out there, but what is the appropriate distances for people that watch like to stay from their boats while they fish? 2. We have talked ourselves into going and watching the weigh-in on Sunday... is the EXPO really worth going down early for? If so, what is past experiences at the EXPO? You enjoyed it etc? Thanks guys!

First I've heard of this Arctic Armour stuff. I don't see "suits" on their website... do you guys use their bibs/jackets? Or am I missing an entire zip up suit? https://www.idigear.com/arcticarmor1.php

Like the title says, how do you guys stay warm during the freezing cold months? I tried a Columbia down jacket, some really nice skiing socks I found online, several different things for headwear and I found myself still getting pretty dang cold. So I've been looking into some fishing cold weather gear. I've got some really bulky gloves that kept my hands warm but dexterity was out the window. I found these bibs online at Cabelas on sale about $100 off original price: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clothing/Mens-Casual-Clothing/Mens-Fishing-Clothing/Mens-Fishing-Clothing-Outerwear%7C/pc/104797080/c/104746680/sc/104329080/i/104170680/Cabelas-GORE-TEXreg-Bass-Angler-Guidewearreg-Bibs-Regular/1573172.uts?destination=%2Fcategory%2FMens-Fishing-Clothing-Outerwear%2F104170680.uts&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat104170680 Anyone got any comments on this gore-tex stuff? They also have these gore-tex jackets on clearance too: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clothing/Mens-Casual-Clothing/Mens-Fishing-Clothing/Mens-Fishing-Clothing-Outerwear%7C/pc/104797080/c/104746680/sc/104329080/i/104170680/Cabelas-GORE-TEX174-Fishing-Jacket-150-Tall/1154503.uts?destination=%2Fcategory%2FMens-Fishing-Clothing-Outerwear%2F104170680.uts&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat104170680 These pants are on closeout: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Clothing/Mens-Casual-Clothing/Mens-Fishing-Clothing/Mens-Fishing-Clothing-Outerwear%7C/pc/104797080/c/104746680/sc/104329080/i/104170680/Cabelas-GORE-TEX174-EXV8482-Pants-150-Tall/750200.uts?destination=%2Fcategory%2FMens-Fishing-Clothing-Outerwear%2F104170680.uts&WTz_l=DirectLoad%3Bcat104170680 I can't seem to decide if bibs with my other jacket would be suffice or would i just be better off to go ahead and get the pants with the jacket and be done with it. Also, what do you guys do for warm gloves, but keeping you dexterity about you? And I don't want to hear no "man up" and deal with it... I don't care who you are... single digits and driving down the tennessee river at 65-70mph is cold.

I won't lie... the thought of going straight braid for everything is really tempting me right now. I've read a few threads on here from way back when and some even recent as a year or so ago of guys tossing straight braid with good results. Right now I'm torn between straight braid, braid with a leader of some sort... And then there's Copoly... (P-line CXX or Yo-Zuri)

That's IT! Someone call PETA!

Thanks for that explanation sir. Do you guys really have issues with a copoly line vs a braid w/ fluro leader... I mean it kinda sounds like copoly is really strong and still sensitive, taking away some of the flaws of fluro...

This co-poly stuff is new to me as well. Never fished it, don't know much about it. Guess Iv'e got some reading to do.

What is this CXX you speak of? I did a quick google and it came up with some P-line product. Is that what you're talking about?

This is very considerate of you to have concern for how the fish feels when we throw it back from 3 feet on the edge of a boat or bank... This after we throw, on purpose mind you, an object intended to stick them in their faces.. an object that we use force to set into their lips and sometimes faces by accident.... heck... we even throw some with THREE sharp objects at once... and two of those at a time! In the case of an Alabama rigs.. 5 hooks! Sorry man, I respect your opinion, but I ain't buying it.

Thanks for the knot input, I'm just going to ahve to practice them and see which is easiest to get done on the regular basis.

Thanks again for all the replies. So what do you guys think for a knot for Braid to Fluro? I'm thinking I may give the Albright knot a go. I think if I can tie the San Diego Jam knot.. I should be able to pull the albright off.

And just to answer a few of the questions that was in the thread. I've used the Seaguar AbrazX 15lb test Sunline Sniper, I think it was the 14lb or 16lb, I'll have to check the boat next time I'm at it. Invisix, can't remember the test on it, but I always fish 14-16lb I fish multiple scenarios during a fishing trip... we fish a lot of banks.. a lot of submerged grass.... rocks, stumps etc. I imagine it's getting nicked somewhere... and it's probably my fault. I can live with it being my fault or doing something wrong... but at some point I've just got to ask myself is it worth it.

Thanks to everyone who has replied. It is all very insightful and gives me at least something to try to hang my hat on. At this point, I think I am just going to have to either try to go straight braid when I can, try to find a braind to fluro leader knot that I can tie with limited vision or go back and try a really nice mono. I love these forums, it's a great venue to talk this stuff out with a lot of great people. Again, all the advice is appreciated.