Choporoz

Cigars. Couple extra for the boater, also.

I, too, hate being hounded about the vacations. But, what's worse is those sales people are the ONLY ones in the store who have half a clue about what they are selling. The one outside of Richmond is dark, poorly stocked and full of employees unable to help. I got a gift card at Christmas. I drive past the store almost weekly. Have stopped in 3 or 4 times this year and still have full value on the card. Miserable experience. I only wish I could use the gift card in the restaurant because their fish and chips isn't too bad.

Welcome, neighbor. I'm recent transplant to NC Piedmont

^6. He ain't good lookin, but he sure can play. I respect him greatly, but Fooled Around and Fell in Love seriously hurt his impression in my mind.

I've had some hard strikes on 'micro' spinnerbaits, but my hookup/landing percentage is abysmal

I am also relatively new to a floating dock lake (2nd year). The fish absolutely do still relate to the docks year round. Like any docks, the proximity to deeper water is often a factor. (Whether at the end of the dock or close by.) As you mentioned, shade is certainly another key. Limited anecdotal evidence....but, I have found the larger fish in morning and afternoon shady sides of a dock, vice underneath. Not sure why. But smaller fish can be had under most any floating dock year round. If grass is nearby, so much the better. Also, like any dock lake, make sure you scan out from every dock for brush. Don't think I've yet been on a lake with docks that didn't have piles of wood within 15 yards of many.

I thought a tandem spinnerbait had two blade arms. But I Googled tandem spinnerbait and nearly every result showed pics of single blade arm with Colorado/willow combination. So...I have no clue about tandem. But....I will say that this post reminded me that I have some double tandem twin arm spinnerbaits that I haven't tried in years. They might be just the ticket in the cold spring muddy waters I fish

One of my kids gave me some Googan baits for Christmas. Between my reaction to the few videos I have seen.....and the reaction they get here....Googan has never been on my radar. I have to admit, though that their beaver/bug (Bandito?) is catching fish. And the spinnerbaits seem well made and have some nice touches, like the small band at the tie bend to keep your knot in place. Will post back soon as the spinnerbait bite should be blowing up soon.

The NBA playoffs last longer than Bradys 'retirement'.

I can't give better advice than above. But I just wanted to say that I am impressed with your DNR for offering a great map.

Which month do you think that you can't?

Was a time not too many years ago when I only threw jerkbaits in clear water. Thanks in part to @quanjig, I don't hesitate to use them in murky stuff. Pre spawn, pre storm...jerk bite was good yesterday.

Bassmaster magazine staples! Anyone else notice that two or three months ago they changed from binding like a book to staples? This bugs me a lot more than I think it should. I was seriously considering not renewing subscription before, but this seals it. The old 'spine' had the issue date on it. I keep back issues by month. Makes it easy to pull out a stack of 'June' issues...or late fall...and read up on pertinent seasonal stuff. Can't do that now...at least not as easily....and if looking for a specific issue, it will be far harder. I know many don't even like the mag any more, but I still get some enjoyment...however, this move kinda makes me mad.

Uh...no. I can't fish a crankbait for more than about 20 minutes without a bite. No takers and I probably don't throw one again rest of the day.....wouldn't give up fishing, but sure wouldn't enjoy it as much

2 hours maybe

Agreed on the slinkyness....but they bend back and run true most of the time....unlike a couple I can think of that run crooked or bent over if you breath on them while tying them on

I like the way War Eagles fish in cover, open water... any speed. I'd love WE's if the heads would stay firm to the wire for more than a couple fish. The 'looseness' probably doesn't affect 'fishability' much....it just bugs me. Like I'm expecting it to blow up every cast So, I guess my answer is whatever shape you call the War Eagle heads....bullet, maybe

Agreed. Maybe the line doesn't really matter that much....except in my head. BTW, I like 20# braid for lots of things, but I have casted off enough 3/8 oz spinnerbaits and chatterbaits that I probably won't try it for 1/2 oz anything...:)

Hopefully the Packers can win the NFC when he's the only QB left. Garappolo to the Steelers, please

I thought his wife would only approve a move to LA or NYC.

That is a lot of wind. I like to think it's going to be lights out from the time they start coming up until they get on beds, but it isn't like that every day. There are still bite windows and you still have to find the creeks with bait. I was in NC 10 days ago and fished for three hours without a bite. Rolled into a small creek rich with bait and it was one after another....and then stopped abruptly. Three coves down, it was hot and heavy again...for about 20 minutes....still have to find the bait. I am a very methodical kayak fisherman, but there are periods in spring and fall when you can skip a creek when you don't find bait after a few minutes....but...that's also a lot of wind...lol

Goatish most of the time....but periodic maintenance only happens every 7 to 10 days....so mostly B, but a lot of A

I probably have a million potential combinations of rod and reel models and colors. I have never given one second of thought to how a particular rod, reel or combo looked....together or separate. I imagine if you look closely at any of my pics, you could probably pick out a hot pink and yellow Disney rod in my hands.

In last couple years, I've been gravitating from 3/8 spinnerbaits towards 1/2 (and some 3/4). I had settled on 15# fluoro for a while, but went to 40# braid last fall. I can't really put my finger on why, but I'm going back to 15# fluoro....just seems to cast and 'feel better'. I still love braid for lots of applications...and I never really thought line mattered much for spinnerbaits....and it doesn't seem to so much for 3/8. Maybe it's all in my head. What line do use for spinnerbaits over 3/8? And does it matter.

Cramps or sciatica? If nerves, it sometimes takes pretty small adjustments. I had it bad with my Compass seat. A 1/2 inch thick cushion eliminated it. Even if I thin my wallet way down, I can put it in my left rear jeans pocket and have throbbing pain in less than ten minutes...without even sitting on it....just standing.