MO_LMB

Nice find. The big ones are Mag Warts, which usually aren't as desired as just the original wiggle warts. As others have mentioned the pre-rap warts will have "wiggle wart" stamped under the bill. Rapala warts will have "Storm". In my neck of the woods those warts would fetch you about 10-15 bucks a pop. On the Ozark reservoirs here the wiggle wart bite is just now really starting to pick up. Just take a look at all the crankbaits the fishermen in the B.A.S.S. tournament on The Rock are throwing. You have the opportunity for a nice return on investment. If not and you would like to learn some nuances of a real good wart thrower, check out a youtube video of a gentleman named Dave Barker and how he fishes a wiggle wart. There is a lot of time tested knowledge of wart fishing in that video.

Is that what multiple posts on a topic represent, apathy?

Ah yes... because bass fisheries in California and Japan are so "natural". Make that any bass fishery west of the Mississippi. If "nature" had its way, half of the US wouldn't even be bass fishing right now. The existing world record fish, or ones close to their size aren't in a "Natural" habitat by any means. Throw in trout stockings and is there really much difference? He is breaking no rules as they are defined by the IGFA. If it were so easy for someone to raise world record sized largemout bass in an aquarium or private pond then show me these world record fish. The fact of the matter is that even with perfect conditions it is still hard to make a world record. Yes you can go to a "bass resort" and catch 10 lbers all day. Please show me a resort where people are catching 20lbs on a regular basis. Even IF he can grow a fish to be of world record size, someone still has to catch it according to the regulations of the IGFA, A bass is a bass is a bass. Would it be the same accomplishment as catching a world record in the "wild"? No, but is still an accomplishment. There is not just money involved. There is a lot of time, research, and labor put into this endeavor - one that not many other people are attempting. I think the results of this private operation can only benefit the rest of the fishing world. If his work succeeds, DNRs all over the US will have new strategies to improve bass fisheries for everyone.

When does everyone start throwing topwater baits in the spring? Once water gets above 50 degrees? Also, what situations do you typically throw different kinds of topwaters. My favorites are Buzzbaits, poppers, and spooks, but lots of times I have a hard time picking which one to go with. I like poppers for more calm situations and buzzbaits and spooks when there is some more wind.

Caught these two today from a small pond - no more than 7 acres. This is in the middle of the city, mucky bottom, lots of coontail submerged grass. Both bass were caught in similar depths (3-5 feet). The yellow one hit a soft plastic, the other a chatterbait. They were probably caught 200 ft from each other, both on the shoreline. My guess would be it is from diet or sun exposure.

You're more of a man than I Bill. I wouldn't be caught dead in a skirt.

5.4

The reel trade in sale is over. I'm not sure what the PQ costs in the store now, but you can buy them online for $70 during the online sale.

Caught two on a chatterbait about this size the day the ice melted, but I have been skunked since!

Mono is totally fine. A lot of guys will diss on it b/c they think floro is some super invis no stretch master line and mono is stretchier than laffy taffy, but mono will treat you very well as an inexpensive all around line. I just wouldn't use it for fishing heavy slop/cover with your jigs and frogs. Probably want to go braid with that route. If you have a bass pro near you, you can stock up on some Stren mono (660 yd spools) for 5 bucks. This will last you a long time.

I like a little more backbone for a senko rod if you are TX rigging it. If you are wacky rigging it you could use your spinning outfit. You could also throw the crankbaits on the M baitcasting set up as well. Whatever you prefer. It all depends on how picky you want to get. You can definitely get by just fine with what you have if you are fishing just for recreation. The only reason to get the latest and greatest is if 1. You need it or 2. You can afford it. If you want to save time on swtiching lures, just use some snaps to make changing lures out quicker.

Any interest in a Abu Garcia 5500C ?

Since I have been getting several request for the file, to save myself email back and forth, I have updated the OP with the link to the file. I don't believe I am violating any forums rules by posting a link to the file from my google drive, if so I can take it down.

In trying to make it through my winter cabin fever I decided to pair up my rods, reels, and line based on techniques I fish, so I created a little excel spreadsheet that you can use to quickly modify and edit rod, reel, and line combos based on techniques you want to use. It is pretty easy to set up. On the first tab - "Inventory" you can fill out your gear. First column for reels, second for rods, third for line types. You can add as many techniques as you would like to the techniques column. I have several in there to give you a head start. The "Combos" tab will then have autopopulated drop down lists you can scroll through to select each item you want for a particular combo. I left room for up to 20 combos and up to 10 techniques for each combo. You can add endless reels, rods, and line types in your inventory. This may be stupid, but I was bored and figured I would share. I don't think I'm allowed to upload .xlsx files so Pm me with your email if you would like a copy. Here is a link to the file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-UNdQETL0XFaWppaXdRa19hMlU/edit?usp=sharing ctrl+s, or file->Download to save I can add more fields if there is enough demand for other specifications.

Financial Analyst

I think I will be down there thursday night with my dad and my brother.

I used the Vicious Ultimate last season quite a bit. I found that the 12lb test was a good overall line, easy to manage, held up well. Once you go above 14lb however I thought the quality declined, much stiffer, lots more memory. Basically if i got a free spool of 12lb Vicious Ultimate Mono i would have no hesitations spooling it up. I actually have it on 2 of my baitcasters right now and one spinning outfit. If i were paying for line I think you could probably find some better line for cheaper or similar prices.

The only way you would go through 100 yds is long lining, no way you do it casting.

I would buy the Citica they have for $129 that comes with a free rod and get a heavy action rod, or you can do the same deal with a Lew's Speed Spool for $99 I personally have the silvermax and citica... the citica is a far superior reel, and the silvermax combo rod isn't very good.

I think I'm going to bring my dad down there, not sure what day we are going yet though. Its the same weekend as my wife's birthday... you know how that goes.

So I'm sure this has been discussed many times already, but what is the difference between the models. For instance, people are selling/ buying Citicas, but are only looking for D and E models. What makes them more desirable than the G model?

It doesn't matter what kind of reel you trade in as long as it works. The trade in value is dependent on the price of the reel you are buying. The more expensive of a reel you are buying, the more money you get as a trade in credit.

Nothin to see at Queeny Park.. No Bass in there

It wouldn't be Lucky Craft selling the blanks, it would be whoever they contract their manufacturing to. Most likely that company rips off the mold and sells the blanks on the side - a practice that is widespread in many countries that are recipients of outsourced labor.

Improved Clinch for me.