Master Bait'r

BTW, did you have an issue redeeming your GC? I applied mine and it still hit my checking account for the full amount, even after it confirmed a $9 remaining balance. Been on hold all morning with TW waiting for "the next available representative" ugh. Edit: They straightened it right out, but MAN they must have crazy calls coming in today- I was on the phone forever waiting.

I use and like 50, but have also used (and liked) 30. I think 40 is the happy medium for me the next time I respool.

I smell a gold rush a'comin. Suddenly a panhandle vacation seems like a much better idea.

I think the concept is good in terms of setting the hook, as the body interfering with the hooks is probably the biggest barrier to good frog hooksets but it will no doubt get caught on stuff when it rolls over pads so probably more for light cover or open water channels.

Worm-dunking with bobbers. Like watching paint dry I tell ya.

Bring a cooler. You can sit on it AND it keeps beer cold.

I blast it off with lunker face. Works like a charm.

My old man's hero to this day is Roger Staubach. "King of the 4th quarter"... I don't think a 4th quarter has transpired since those days without him mentioning that "Staubach woulda' come back and won it!"

Truth. Better be safe and get one of each. You know... For science.

It would be tough to get heavier than a baby supernato when you fill it with water... Just do yourself a favor and put a stinger hook on it. Without them, the hooksets can be sporadic.

Because the bait monkey is cruel and unusual and he wants me to be single.

I feel your pain. We have far more restrictive requirements for some reservoirs near here- One in particular you need to have the boat steam cleaned and sealed (just a seal tag, not wrapped) before you're allowed on the water and that seal is ONLY removed by DNR operating there- and it is replaced when you leave by the same. Only unbroken DNR sealed boats are allowed on the water at any time so you'd better be careful around that thing too or it's a re-steam for you! It's a pain for sure, but the silver lining is that it keeps the fishing some of the best in the state IMO since you literally have to have a boat JUST for that place. It lends well to my style too as I've pulled some absolute HOGS out of the heavy cover and the multitude of trib weed beds, etc. there and most of the guys are out in the middle of the lake glued to their screens. It will suck, but it will also weed out those who are not committed. I don't like being nickle-and-dimed but I also want to preserve the waterways and I'll gladly jump through some hoops to keep it awesome.

PVC tubes with a foam sleeve inside. Bolt down a lock ear to the screw-on cap and also where it lines up when tight on the pipe body- you can lock them, and even bolt them down to your truck bed with a few saddle brackets. Cheap. Easy. Safe.

Suddenly all these Megabass lures are looking like a bargain!

On those days I'll almost automatically try a small suspending jerkbait or crank over a light finesse worm. They're generally well designed and so are much easier to cast but still let you just stall it and it'll sit there and twerk for a while to tease those weary fish. I find it helps on those days where you just can't get that weightless 4" worm out there, y'know?

Wow, that is officially the longest sentence I've ever seen!

1). Go skiing Or 2). Move south

It's more beautiful than I imagined. I don't even miss those fingers.

Be still, my beating heart... Yes, that is the confirmation that the Dobyns Champ 705CB GLASS is being delivered today- but we still have work! Daydreaming loses fingers, snap out of it!!

You almost never see T-rigged plastics stuck in people. Just sayin'

Here, here!!!

I'm going to try to answer these all differently until April. Slither K in shooting star 7" Alewife Slug-Go SS twistlocked T-rig style onto a #3 Trokar EWG Mag hook.

Depends on the weight of your lures I guess. I have a BB1 Pro and an SS1HL (which is the same basic frame and spool size as the MG but with less braking options and overall sexiness) The BB1 has a wider spool that is great to accommodate lots of big line like heavy braid etc, but I feel detracts from castability on lighter baits. The MG has a smaller spool and rounder feel in palm as well as great casting... Heck even my cheaper version I really really like and is my cranking setup reel. Super smooth for sure. I do love my BB1 for frogs, jigs and heavier baits but I do find that it lags with lighter baits- much to do with the line choice but still... The smaller reel casts lighter baits better. If I was putting together a lighter cranking combo I'd go MG and roll the money I saved into line or some sick lures to throw with it. Deep water stuff or big baits I might lean BB1 more but for the stated use in the OP I'd go MG personally.

Just noticed my package from Flyfisher on the porch this morning! BOOOYAH! Got a couple different kinds of Rage baits (These lobsters are going to be a HOOT to punch with!) a Dahlberg frog and a sweet line trimmer that I was actually about to buy myself! Thank you so much Jay, and the note was a really nice touch. My best to you and yours this Holiday season!!

I operate on 3 setups and they're all different powers and actions. No doubt that people can do a lot with just one but I like to spread it around. My light plastics & jig rod is a Loomis NRX 852c (XF) w/ a Curado 51e (w/ abec 7s)and 10# SX1. Absolute beast when it comes to light baits. My moving baits rod is a Dobyns 705cb glass (F) w/ a Lew's SS1HL and 12# CXX. Just got it and can't wait to try it. My frogs, punching and swimbait rod is a 13 *** 7'2" HXF w/ a Lew's BB1 Pro & 50# FX2. Works great for those smaller-mid size swimbaits with a flouro leader. I'd probably say the HXF is the most versatile though. "It's all in the tips" as they say . The big deal so to speak isn't necessarily just to have specific combos, but also to have 3 looks ready to go at any point. The sheer amount of fish I've caught has jumped drastically since I started adding to the quiver. If a fish misses your topwater and you go back 3 seconds later with a light finesse worm you can stall there and work, your chances of landing that fish are much higher than with the same look or approach.