Choporoz

I hedge my bets - generally dark - green pumpkin/blue/black -- but when its muddy, I dip the tips and tails in chartreuse JJ's Magic.

Interesting article.... https://lancasteronline.com/sports/outdoors/mystery-solved-a-virus-killed-the-susquehanna-river-s-smallmouth/article_f963049c-65bc-11e8-bd24-8f17a13f2de5.html Appears to be well written article...first couple paragraphs pasted here: "Mystery solved: a virus killed the Susquehanna River's smallmouth bass all those years A college laboratory has solved what has been a maddening 13-year mystery: what killed so many of the prized smallmouth bass in the lower Susquehanna and Juniata rivers, beginning in 2005? The answer — a shocker to Pennsylvania and federal investigators — is largemouth bass virus. It’s a disease that was known to be present in Susquehanna smallmouths but had been ruled out early on because it was thought it couldn’t harm them. Turns out it can be lethal when the shallow water near the banks of the river where young bass roam becomes stagnant and hot, turning into a soupy cauldron of deadly pathogens. In that environment, the virus does not kill the bass, but it allows lesions and ugly sores where bacteria and fungus settle in, proving fatal......."

Great shirt....I need one....all of it is perfect...even the June part

Pretty reasonable guess. I've snagged carp with lipless cranks before and it is similar. Snag the tail or dorsal, however, and the hooks don't always come out on their own. I've been dragged around in my yak for more than ten minutes at a time....they just do NOT get tired

It must be raining, because I know it isn't January

I knew what fish you were talking about before even watching the link above....even though I haven't watched his vids in the past year...lol

AM or PM?

Before it gets all complicated in here, I'll toss out one of my very few (only?) weather/lure tips: -If there's a ripple on the surface, I'll have a spinnerbait close by

I was convinced at a show where some huckster :) working a tank (and the crowd) was getting so-so interest from the tank fish --- but then he put Megastrike on a baits and even without hook points, he couldn't keep the bass off So, I'm of the mind that while it may not induce more bites, I do feel that some (most?) fish will hang on longer. In fact, while not specifically bass, I find that if my Rage Tail jig trailer or Rage Craw has Megastrike, one claw will be lost to the gills FAR more often -- they will not let go if they get a grip

I'm not going to touch that question. Soooo many things that could be considered, when maybe the only consideration should be which you'd prefer to use. Spinning doesn't have to mean finesse, either. Maybe first you should decide what you want to throw most often - soft or hard; single or treble hooks; 1/16 or 3/4...etc. No matter what you want to do, you can find a decent baitcasting rod, or spinning rod to handle the duties. That broke rod does still have a reel, though, doesn't it? Going with spinning would mean rod AND a reel, if you don't have one already.

I don't fish tournaments and don't follow pros. So, all this discussion is a little surreal to me. I would have assumed that big tournaments are held on relatively big water and that there'd be little need for such unwritten rules. "You find a spot 'taken', then you fish elsewhere." The idea that the only way to win/place the tourny was to fish a very specific spot seems crazy to me. Or, that someone has a 'claim' to a spot before they physically get there....regardless of who fished where on previous days. I am not thrilled when I come to a place that I had in mind and it's 'occupied', but I sure don't hesitate to fish elsewhere....I'd have just figured we were all like that.

Not ideal fix, but if you're sure that the tip is shot, you can cut it off (immediately below guide tip) with a pair of diagonal cutters and then glue a new tip on. I cut an inch off a $100 MHF rod and noticed little difference. It doesn't handle lures at bottom of the weight ratings very well now, but otherwise functions pretty well.

Mini poppers and Bill Lewis Tiny Traps

My feelings on this have evolved considerably over the years. I used to be the azzwipe that actually called out 'apparently able-bodied' people parking in handicapped spots, I'm ashamed to admit. A few things have changed my perspective; one, when my father was in his later years, there were plenty of days when he looked perfectly well.....walked great....for a few yards, maybe, before pain and exhaustion would become nearly overwhelming. Another, was when I considered that when there are ample H spots, having someone who is entitled to use them, 'thoughtfully' avoiding them -- well, that person actually ends up taking a spot that I could have used; while empty ones near the entrance remain unused.

I use 12# Gliss on all of my lighter spinning rods. It is as thin (or thinner?) than 10# braid. As @OkobojiEaglesaid, it can be a challenge to see....it's practically invisible most of the time. I just spooled up some 12# chartreuse Gliss the other day, but haven't fished it yet. I expect a huge improvement in visibility. I use 6, 8, and 10# YZH as leader. I'm a big fan of Gliss. I had a little trouble with wind knots at first, but keeping leader tags very neat and paying attention more have all but eliminated them.

Your data?

I have nothing to add about removing them....however, I have learned to be extremely meticulous in trimming the tag ends of leader knots with light braid (and Gliss.) It doesn't take but about .5mm of tag to catch on something and start your nightmare

I'm into my 2nd (or 3rd? maybe) year of Columbia Bahama Vent shoes. They drain well, dry quickly and, perhaps most important, they have great traction on mossy, algae covered ramps and rocks.

Was just looking at those myself. Cabela's has big hand controlled from Minnkota and Motorguide. I settled for a 50 Endurance Max just to keep it at 12v.

https://www.boatus.com/fishing/articles/replacing-your-rod-tips.asp

https://www.localscoopmagazine.com/discover/the-reel-deal-seigler-reels/

Interesting resurrection. Great info, but dated, by now, I'm certain. I'm glad, however, because of the mentions of 'Release Reels'. Looks like they are called Seigler Fishing Reels now; and still made here in VA. I don't see typical bass low-profile reels in their line up, mostly saltwater. However, everything I've seen online makes me want to buy one of their reels, just the same. I sure hope they're successful.

I used a Veritas for years and really liked it. That sounds like a good rod for target spinnerbaits and chatterbaits....don't limit yourself to trebles with that one. In fact, I think you may find it a bit fast for crank baits. But, give it a try. As to the other, what are the markings? Even 30 years ago, Shakespeare put lure weights on most of their rods.

Weather channel app shows the lightning icon every hour for the entire day that I have off and planned to fish Cormorants Boaters who believe that everyone within two counties must to listen to their music (seems that often times, the longer the boat, the worse the offenders)

My wife handles these situations much better than I do. I truly appreciate having her along most of the time, but especially when I'm cut off. She will immediately engage them in loud, annoyingly friendly conversation; "Nice boat you got there!" "Where you guys from?" .... "What kind of rod is that?" or "Cast to that tree there, it holds the big ones" ...lol I fish from a kayak most often and the dynamics and interplay with boats can be challenging at times; if for no other reason than because I can take a half hour to pick apart 20 yards of shoreline sometimes...sort of screws up the dance. But, I always try to defer and go wide whenever possible....life is too short, even on small water. Good points above about even jerks have a harder time being boorish if you address them directly and friendly.