Needemp

It's hard to say because neither of us are experts with floro. But I would have to say that if it is not reaching its maximum stretch rate, that is kind of what you are looking for, isn't it? I don't want it to stretch. I could see the pound test rating lowering after it is stretched out, but I can definitely testify to the fact that it remains very strong and tough to break. Even more so than mono in my experience.

I tend to be real careful about what I read and how I take it. I have also read this article and it left me with a lot of unanswered questions about there testing tactics. For one, I have spooled with BPS floro and found it to be junk compared to Stren, Carbon Pro and Invis-X. The other thing that bothered me was the fact that they only tested smaller pound tests. The thicker the line, the more difference there is in performance. Look at the knot test, if you tie the knot properly and moisten it, you should not have a problem. Cutting and retieing after abrasions, snags and hook sets, then playing quality sized fish carefully should reduce most knot breakages. I have had one breakage on floro and that was during prefishing when I was too lazy to retie. Never had another problem. Second area of testing was the stretchability. They say it stretched as much as the Berkley mono. The thing they didn't emphasize was that once the floro stretches, it doesn't bounce back like mono does. So after the first initial stretching of floro, it becomes less stretchy. Just some of my thoughts!

I use Powerbait shaky head worms and Harsh Hedz from harshman custom baits.

I have been making my own jigs. But now I have Harshmans make them exactly the way I want. Check out his link in my signature and email him about what type of bait you specifically want. He has Mustad Ultrapoint and Gammy hooks with almost any color you prefer. Also has several head shapes. There is something about using a jig that you have designed

Mine came while fishing the MO Bass Resources.com Tournament earlier this spring. I caught a 6lb 8oz, 5lb 4oz and my pb 8lb 3oz. Gave me a total of 23.5lbs. Here is the link: Page 1 has the details and page 3 has the pics http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1177208309

Man I wish I could be there this weekend. I would love to stick some of those Wash Co bass. I hope I can make the Oct 6 tourney. Good luck to all y'all (Whip 'em good Jaskoh )

Is there vegitation? Standing timber? Is there much rock or is it mostly mud? What is the water clarity usually? Thanks MattPVN!

I have always assumed it was a big advantage. Without giving away your "top secret" information, what are some of the things scuba diving has taught you about bass?

I know it is kind of premature, but we have our classic there on October 20 and 21. I figure this will be in the middle of fall pattern. Does anybody fish Shelbyville during this time of year? Any tips on good colors, techniques and more importantly, types of structure and cover they use at this time? We will be prefishing at least the weekend before and possibly two weekends before as well. I greatly appreciate any help. Thanks.

How did ya guys do at Bud Light? I have heard from several people that the fishing was tough both days and Sunday was the worst.

Sorry guys, I am not going to make it to this one, but hopefully the Oct 6 tourney. It all depends if we pre-fish Shelbyville that weekend or not. Good luck guys.

BassXL, that fish is over 4lbs and is probably close to 5. Don't worry about it if someone tries to claim it is only 3 pounds. You can't tell by a picture. Besides, comparing it to your other keeper shows that is is up there. You had a big bass and should have won. Good job!

Hey BassXL, I don't know what you do in that situation. Your second fish is easily bigger than 3 pounds. But were the other guys cheating? Hard to say. If they were, then that is a real shame. But if it was an honest mistake, well that's just the part of life that stinks :-/. It seems like you are on your way to becoming a good fisherman. That's cool. Just know in your heart that you pretty much won, and use that as your confidence builder.

I guess for me it is just a little different. For one thing, it is not real hard just using the trolling motor. I don't see it being a hindrance but a pleasurable challenge. But the second thing I would state is that the only way to find fish on good structure is to fish it. You can't suggest that you only fish structure that has fish on it. You don't know whether the fish are using it or not. Sometimes they are there and sometimes not.

The anchor would waste a lot of my time. What if the area is not holding fish? What if you catch a couple and need to start working the area at different angles? What if you are locating fish on a depth finder and drop-shotting for them? What if you're fishing a tournament? Or just trying to fish as many productive spots as possible? That anchor sure would waste a lot of time for some fisherman. But if you just like to relax and fish, then I can see the benefits.

Harshman, just fished a tourney at Twain and we took 1st place (thanks to my partner ). The bass are NOT up in shallow water. Not even in the early morning or on cloudy days. There are tons of shorts up there, but no keepers. This was even true in stained and heavily stained water. They are deep. We went up some rivers and creeks but had no success there. There are a lot of fisherman and there will be a lot of prefishing this week. Most of the bass will be spooked and quite a bit of the 'catchable' ones will be sore-mouthed. The boats have for the last several years, and will this time as well, take off in lots of 60. There is a live-well check and it is very organized. In fact you can't weigh in fish unless you have it checked and receive a card for your boat. I think Nick might be trying to scare some of ya off;) Currently there are 287 boats, but there is an onslaught of sign-ups prior. Should be more than 300 boats and around 30 places paid. Good luck!!!

Floro goes on all my bottom bouncing reels but I use the Siege exclusively for all my mono reels. It is by far the best mono I have used and it is very abrasion resistant. I usually am banging cranks off something, fishing brush piles or docks, something that tears the line up. But I have not tried Elite yet, and was wondering how different it is. Castibility seems to be the biggest difference. Does anybody use Suffix on spinning reels?

Cart, are you saying you like EWG's or the offsets?

Conceited Redneck, I have been doing experiments with these two types of hooks. The carpet example is a good one, but that is just the initial 'catching' of the point to the bass's mouth. Then when the EWG gets 'set', it follows a straight path towards the bend of the fishing rod. The offsets, however, actually head upwards in the fishes mouth. Therefore, giving more of a foundation for a hook up. EWG's, while a lot of times still get solid hookups, tend to barely catch the skin sometimes. Bowtech, if EWG's produce fewer hooked bass, then I would think it stands to reason that they would get hung up less on cover.

...And why?

I am curious if anybody else has noticed a difference in hook up ratio between these hooks? EWG's pull the point straight towards the direction of the line. But the point of the offset hook goes off to the side and angles it more into the fishes mouth. That is why I think I miss more fish with those EWG's, especially with my jigs. Has anyone else noticed this, or am I missing something?

I detect a little hostility

Hey, it is a little silly, but that is the kind of creative thinking that can make you a better fisherman. It doesn't pay to be brainless, you gotta think outside of the box. Give it a try. There is no reason it shouldn't work unless they dissolve to quickly or the bass reject the flavor. Bass are not attracted to sweet flavors like we are, but that doesn't mean they reject them. Don't let others discourage you, give it a try.

If I had no livewell, I would do Avids suggestion. I would use a stringer or a piece of line through the bottom lip and put her in the water. BTW, how big do you think she was, Senile?

...Plus all the beer is free. They also give a nice bag of goodies including Tshirts and caps and other things. Do you know twain much? What area do you think you are going to fish?