Chris at Tech

Stick Marsh Spend a few days fishing with George Welcome, and then a few days fishing the saltwater.

Falcon, Kistler and Duckett offer micro rods in the sub $200 range.

I'd throw a dark colored worm. Probably start w/Junebug and go to black/blue if needed.

Yes, upsize your line. I'd prefer fluoro for the feel, but use mono if you're more comfortable Either way, I'd recommend using a good line conditioner when you spool up to make the line a bit more friendly

The Generation 2 Dobyns 703C is a fast action rod rated for 1/4 - 3/4 oz. I have this rod, and in my opinion, would not be a good fit for your desired applications. It's simply not stout enough. If you're looking for a Dobyns rod to fill this slot, look at the 704C. I use the 703 for weightless senkos and T-rigs up to 1/4 oz and it does really well there. But I would not go much heavier...

What, like flying a crew to El Salto to have them review the company's new tackle there? :

No. One new Traxxus and one previous MK transom mount but I can't recall the model name.

More when I get home, but here's a pic of the rear battery hatch. I've never seen so much detail and attention paid to the wiring. To say that the builder of this boat does not like current loss would be a HUGE understatement. Relays, circuit breakers, fuses, aluminum framing around the batteries, consolidation of wiring...just wow...

Maybe

So after much deliberation, research and begging to the wife, my new jonboat rig has finally arrived! It started as a G3 1652 and had an HB 898 SI, 1 MK 80lb bow mount, two MK 80lb transom mounts, full aluminum framing and decking and just about the cleanest wiring and detail I've ever seen on a jonboat The kid (yes, a kid -- a rising senior in high school) put more thought into the design and the wiring than I ever could have. I haven't fished it yet, but all I can say so far is WOW!

A friend of mine has some family land with a 6-acre pond that has been overrun with dink bass. It's stocked with nothing but bass and bream, and the bream are huge. The handful of folks who fish there have begun removing the small fish caught, but it's a work in progress. Also, this particular pond doesn't seem to have any structure except a few fallen trees found against the bank. There's nothing in the middle of the pond to speak of. I purchased 6 of those PVC fish attractors that I'll be donating to the cause the next time I'm down there so hopefully that would help. The other concern I have is the bass food supply. The bream in this pond are large, many larger than the bass caught lately. So I'm a bit concerned that there's not a lot of food especially for the smaller fish. I've wondered if it was worth getting a shipment of minnows in there to add a food source. I've often heard that stocking only bass and bream can be successful, but I'm not sure it's working in this instance. Great pics, though. It gives me hope I've personally witnessed some of the monsters caught from this pond (my avatar, for example) but it's been quite a while since a picture-worthy fish has been taken.

Topwater in low light, cooler times of day Go deep during the day with crankbaits, C-rigs, jigs, plastics.

Wait for the BPS Extreme rods to go on sale for $60

My home state making me proud... New Jersey It's against the law for a man to knit during the fishing season.

Sonofa... Looking at your shirt, I'm guessing it's Hampton Lakes, right? My folks were <THIS> close to buying there, but decided on a place on Hilton Head. Just to make it even worse, my folks took me over there when they were looking for a house and I just about lost it. Let's just say they'd see a lot more of me if they bought in Hampton Lakes I don't suppose there's any way for a non-resident to get in to fish there, is there? How's the fishing been? I see all the website literature and they're certainly saying the right stuff. Any hogs coming out of there yet?

x2 X3

Freehold, eh? I grew up in Manalapan. You noticed a difference in palming between SX and STX? Really? I thought the shape/size were identical.

I know on this site that most folks think smallmouth when talking about "brown fish", but there is another formidable brown fish out there The wife and I went out with our normal Hilton Head charter captain and he did not disappoint. We know we definitely hooked 4 cobia, and perhaps a few more that we lost before we got a good look at. Three of those 4 were boated. As usual, my wife got the big fish but I can live with that since she lets me book these charters. I lost another keeper cobia as I tried to give him a little extra heat when he got too close to the anchor line. Oh well... Cobia steaks for dinner tonight! Next up, tarpon in Key West at the end of this month (hopefully ).

Generally speaking, I don't think smaller spinning reels help flouro manageability. I'd go 2500.

The $30 step-up to the STX over the SX is WELL worth it for the dual braking.

Nothing to get excited about here, unfortunately. They took a Zillion in a gear ratio they already offered and added a few upgrades that any number of reel repair guys could do.

Sensitivity is not paramount here. Get a BPS baitcasting combo in your price range, ratio 6 and up, 6'6" or 7', MH or H with 50lb + braid

I think Abu Garcia has been making reels long enough that their longevity and reliability shouldn't come into question much. I've had Revos since their introduction and have had absolutely no issues. True, it's only been a few years, but I have no cause for concern. The internal components are all of solid construction. With that said, I will fully admit that their exterior finish isn't the most durable, but this has no impact on the functionality of the reel.

Does anyone have any experience with Lake Fork FHP line? I'm tempted to give it a try, if for no other reason then one spool is actually enough for 2 reels full

Yes, I believe you should tip. I based it on the following: 1) punctuality and professionalism 2) knowledge 3) effort expended to meet your fishing goals for the trip 4) personality