Smokinal

Ya, she came unbuttoned and swam off. Luckily, though, she had scales on her back.... Sorry, thought this thread needed some happy to it!!

Good for you man! The best part about this is that you may have just uncovered a very reliable, early season pattern that can work for you every year. I used to struggle in early, cold water untill we figured out this early season pattern that is just unvelievable. Now, every year just after ice out, we can hammer them on this pattern for about 3 weeks. The bite is crazy and very, very reliable. Log it in the memory banks!

I know the feel bruh. Just last fall I had a 7lb 9oz bass close to the boat when she came unbuttoned.

Is that Jacob Wheeler?!?

^^^Ya it's about 12*F and blowing like a Banshee out there tonight. I checked the live cam on my home lake and it looks like the Arctic Tundra. Realistically we are a good 3-4 weeks out from having soft water again.

Can I get an autographed pic now? That kid is gonna be in the Elites before long. Of course the autograph will have to be in crayon....

^^You'll be better off with the higher lb line; and it floats off just as nice

I go 2 arm lengths as well. I retie when it gets about 4 ft. I don't like to let it go any shorter than that.

It's not so much of a backlash issue but more of a casting issue after the dig-in. When you set the hook, a small diameter line will dig in to the rest of the line, pinching it there. Then, on your next cast, the cast will go as far as the dig-in and stop immediately. I've had my line snap and lure go sailing because of this. And if you're throwing a big dollar bait, that's no fun man.

srs..I'd swim for it.

The point of my question wasn't to correct anyone; it wasn't to prove anyone right or wrong; it wasn't to make fun of those who don't know the difference. It's about learing, and those who come to forums or watch TV to learn a new technique. Tom had a good analogy in throwing a baseball. To someone not into the sport, it looks like the guy is just throwing a ball. To an up and coming pitcher, well that's a whole different story. A 4 seam fastball is performed completely different than a changeup; and they are in no way a similar pitch. A flip is completely different than a pitch. (jmo of course)

I have 20lb Power Pro Super Slick on my baitcasters and 10lb Sufix Nanobraid on my spinning setups. All get a fluoro leader due to rock.

Welcome back Keith!

I recently picked up a 90 in Bluegill; haven't thrown it yet as it would bounce off the lake right now. I know where and when I will though. Advice=I heard they are coming out with a 110 version which I would wait for. IMO, the 90 is too small and the 130 is too big. Call me Little Red Ridinghood i guess....

That's all anyone needs to hear; well said

Good point Catt. A 1/2 oz jig is not considered a finesse technique but you sure can "finesse" a 1/2 oz jig though a brushpile. I "finesses" a jerkbait in cold water for example.

lmao! Forgot about that; I guess you're right.

Please learn me if I am wrong here but I always thought flipping was done with the rod in one hand and a pre-determined length of line out and that line was held in the other. The reel was never touched and the spool is engaged. Meant for quick, short, precise bait placement and the length of line never changes or is reeled in until bait is bit. Pitching was done with rod in one hand and the bait is held in the other. Spool is disengaged while the bait is sort of sling-shotted out; meant for further "casts". Why I ask is I see and hear people all the time say they are "flippin" but they are doing what I described above as pitching. Am I wrong? Have the terms changed or do people just like saying "flippin" better?

I've done some experimenting with them in the tub (and no, I was not in it with them...). I found the same; some sank, some floated and some were half in between. This is due to the salt content of the baits. Which I would have thought would be more consistent but I'm not familiar with the manufacturing process so I don't know. What I do that helps is I put them in warm water, not hot because this softens them too much, and I stretch them gently. You will see the grains of salt come out of the bait and feel them soften up. Retest them and they will all float after this. They will be a little more limber too.

You've made the jump to the dark side. You are going to be a changed man.

A hard jerkbait will be my main bait from ice-out up to around 50-52 degree water. I'd also play with a red craw lipless bait. And the jerkbait will not be worked like you see in most of the vids and on TV where the water is warmer. It will involve long pauses with a few twitches in between. Very little movement to it.

You should be closing the bail by hand with any spinning reel to prevent this. Not sure why it works...it just does

^^^What plastics are you throwing in that color?

^^^That could be nasty!

Should you change your handle to BrianinER now? Maybe take that whole MD thing out; bad irony? JK of course. Wishing you the speediest recovery bud.