G8RBob

Yep. Cast, immediate hit, set hook, reeled her in. The hook had gone into the gill first and then out the mouth. When I set the hook, she was hooked in the lip. Strange, but true. Fish long enough, and you will see about everything.

Lucky Craft Pointer Rod (BTW) Does anyone know anything about this rod? I can't find anything, even on the Lucky Craft site. I paid $ 65. The reel is an old Shimano chronarch, new to me for $ 40. The older Chronarch's still throw great.

I recently acquired an older spiral wrapped rod, which I have come to appreciate. It throws very accurately and with good distance. As it is over 20 years old, it is a bit heavier than today's rods, but still is a good bass fishing rod. Some years ago, these type rods were highly regarded, but have since faded away. I wonder why. Curious. Sorry about the last photo. It has nothing to do with nothing. Bob

Sorry, that would be diameter, not circumfrence.

Are all replacement cork handles have the same size hole through the middle. I want to replace an old handle, picked up a new one, with the hole about 1/4 inch in circumerance. Can a get a bigger hole, or just drill this one out? Thanks.

After 11 years of bass fishing, one of my St. Croix Premier gave up the ghost. While setting the hook on another Florida large mouth, the rod snapped, right in the middle. I went backwards, the fish went free. The ole girl has served me well, many pounds of fish over the rail, thanks to St. Croix. She lived a good life, rest in peace.

I once pulled in a nice bass to find that the hook had entered through his gills, out his mouth, and hooked his lip. Strange but true.

If you haven't yet lost one, you will. It happens.

Fished my lake hard for five hours, caught two small bass. Pulled the boat back to the community dock and there were two, not one but two, five to six pound bass swimming around the dock. So, I said to myself, "Self, if there are big fish swimming around this dock, maybe I should fish some of the other docks on the lake." Did, and it worked. A four and a seven in about an hour. Pretty good. BTW, it's not considered good form to fish around the community dock. Bob

I have wondered the same thing, but have no good answer. All I know is, if you build a new retention pond in Florida, connected to nothing, you will have fish, turtles and gators within a year. I have seen a six foot gator show up in a new retention pond, with a six foot chain link fence totally surrounding the pond, within weeks of completion. Who knows?

Two quick stories: First, I lost a hook on a log. The next time around the pond my partner threw his Texas rigged bait and his hook went through the eye of my lost hook. He brought them both in. Second, I lost a crankbait on the west wide of a 40 acre lake. The next day I was fishing the east side of the lake. We pulled up next to the grass, looked down and there was my crankbait. It had traveled probably 500 yards. What are the odds?

My lakes are typical Florida inland lakes; clear, bottom grass, hyacinths, fairly flat. The fish seem to eat mostly shiners or small panfish. I typically fish with 10 inch zoom worms; watermelon, motor oil or crankbaits. I typically fish in the early morning hours. What else? Thanks.

There is a whole world full of different, "swimbaits." Anyone care to suggest specific brands, models, sizes, etc. It would be appreciated. Thanks.

The most knowledgeable bass fisherman was Doug Hannon. He wrote the book, literally.

Three punks stole my boat from the lakefront behind my house. The dumbies were trying to remove a 40 h.p. mercury when a neighbor spotted them. They ran, no harm done. Bought a lock and chain.

It's just hard to beat an early morning on the lake. Sunrise. Top water. Peace and quiet. God's country.

Seems that some get a bit snobbish about trolling. Believe it, there are techniques to trolling that will greatly increase the catch, just as there are in other type of fishing. It's not just about throwing something behind the boat and expecting to catch fish.

Trolling is an excellent means of locating fish.

Trolling is a great way to locate and catch fish. I troll whenever I hit the lake. Usually with some type of lipless crank bait, but also with a dropshot rig. Works great, you should try it.

I have taken some of the advice that has been offered. I have upgraded my hooks by going to upgraded lures, Sebile Flatt Shad's. I am using a glass, moderate action rod. Lately, my success rate on boating fish has greatly improved. Best I can recall, I have only lost one fish in the past several weeks. All others, in the boat. Braided line? I thought that was a no no as the lack of stretch would pull the lure through the fish's mouth. ?? Thanks, Bob

I have a new Humminbird 175, which was left on the boat during a weekend of heavy rains. Somehow the unit seems to have absorbed moistgure. The screen is hazy and the unit won't work. Any suggestions as to how I could dry it out? I have contacted the factory, but have heard nothing as yet. Thanks for your thoughts, G8RBob

The last two days I have fished using a variation of the "trolling rig." I rigged a drop shot and have a great deal of success dragging the drop shot. I put a rattling weight on the end of the line, with a EWG 5.0 hook about 30 inches up the line. I pulled in nine bass during the two trips, which consisted of actually fishing for about 4 hours.

I must be holding my mouth wrong. Tried it yesterday, no bites. Caught 7 trolling a rattletrap. I will try again, it makes too much sense.

SEC! SEC! Geaux Tigers. No problem. Thanks for the tips. Now I've got work to do, changing hooks.

I've lost a number of fish recently while fishing a lipless crank bait. I get them to the boat, but then lose them. What Is the recommended technique for getting the fish into the boat? A net? Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts. Bob