Alpster

I have used a jig for a dropshot weight and have done well with it. It never occured to me use a tube though. I don't think a tube is the best choice. Ronnie

At least a sinilar shade most of the time. Ronnie

EXCELLENT! Thanks for your service! Ronnie

Get a weighted hook (weight molded on the hook shank) and bury it in the tube.Texpose (cover the hook point) in the tube and it will skip under anything. Deadly technique. Ronnie

Tubes will also skip very well. My favorite skipping lure. Ronnie

If your interested in getting rid of those overrated GLX rods, I will gladly trade you brand new BPS Extreams for them. Just let me know. Ronnie

A hair blow dryer will usually get the job done. Try the hair dryer before using a flame. Ronnie

Just to add more confusion to all the theories.....I have been building custom rods for years and have always quietly smiled when using exposed blank reel seats. As though there is something magic about being able to touch the surface of the rod blank. I can tell you that when a reel seat is properly fitted and glued, where vibration transmission is concerned, it becomes a part of the blank. There is no vibration imparted to the blank that can escape the reel seat when it's installed properly. The difference in touching the blank surface and a properly attached reel seat are at best imperceptable. Any vibration felt in any rod blank when fishing must be transmitted, in this order, through lure, line, guides and the reel. The rod blank is the last to know, which causes me to lean toward Ghoti's theory that a reel might be the best place to "feel" a bite or the bottom. When fishing with tight line techniques, I feel the bite with my whole hand. With slack or semi slack techniques, of course, I'm a line watcher. IMHO, the best case for spending more money on light, well balanced rods is day long fishing comfort and specific lures/techniques. "Feeling the bite" is way down on my list of reasons for great rods and I have a bunch of high end rods. Fishing for 10 or 12 hours without feeling like I rowed a boat all day is much more important to me. But then again, I'm not a real "sensitive" guy. LOL Ronnie

Black shad Culprit tempted this little guy at Guntersville on the Roadtrip. Ronnie

Well, another awesome Roadtrip goes down in the anals (no pun intended) of Bass Resource history. It's always great to see all the old timers who make every trip and to get to meet old friends for the first time on a roadtrip. Even though we have a reputaion for bringing rotten weather to some of the best bass lakes in the country, no amount of wind or rain can stop the fun & fellowship that always takes place. This year I had Gene as a roommate in the "BassBus" and was fishing with Kent (Roadwarrior) when he caught the winning 'Big Bass' for the trip at 7 lbs, 7 oz. and had a wonderful time at the meet & greets and meal times. Although the biggest bass I could manage was less than a 2 pounder, I want to remind everyone that the last time we were at Guntersville, I was with Masshole Mike when he caught his 6 & 3/4 lb bass and this time with RW about a 100 yards from the same spot. I am considdering offers for guide service next time we go to Guntersville, but it won't be cheap. LOL. It's always a memorable experience to see everyone and fish together. It's also sad to leave for home after the roadtrip. Here's a few pictures of the memories..... Not the biggest, but a lot of fun anyway....... Good job RW and BTW, your fish landing team was amazing!! Everyone will have to go on the next Roadtrip to hear that story. Just had to have another look at this hawg....... Yours truly and Chris Lane....turns out my gumbo and jambalaya, were both heavily seasoned with one of his sponsors. "Tony Chacheres". you gotta try it! The one and only Chris Lane. 2012 Bass Masters Classic winner. What a priviledge to meet this guy. A few of the distinguished members of Bass Resource at the Wednesday meet & greet. Also want to thank Glen & Keri for all their hard work and all the sponsors for sending all the goodies for us to share. And a good time was had by all.......2013 ROAD TRIP! NO EXCUSES!!!

Last minute tied downs and I am leaving at 5pm for Maryland for the weekend, then on my way to Guntersville. See everyone on Monday! Ronnie

Sorry! I will be arriving on Monday afternoon. I hope to get there in time to fish a couple of hours before dinner. Ronnie

I am finishing up the new deck on my boat and I picked up my new motor this afternoon. I already have RW on Tuesday. The rest of the week I have an empty seat. She's not a $50,000 Bass Boat, but very comfy to fish from. Just in case there is a member who's in need of boat seat. Ronnie

"Accardo Bugs" you can get them at Walmart and the panfish will kill them. Ronnie

Get a gallon of white vinegar and a bottle of vanilla extract from the grocery store pour them both in your livewell and leave overnite. Make sure there is no more baking soda before you use the vinegar. After you use the above mixture, if you still have some odor, pour your used coffee grounds in the live well. They will absorb the left over smell. When all else fails, put it out in the sunshine and run a fan, airing it out takes a while but it works. Good luck. Ronnie

I guess we all think a little differently about things. For me, the reason I have spent the the $ on GLX & IMX blanks for my rods is so I can have the extra power (MBR844) without losing sensitivity. I personally like having a little overhead where power is concerned as I fish jigs in pretty thick cover and usually have to land both the fish and the branch, 2 pounds of grass, lilly pads, etc. that the fish is wrapped around. JMHO Ronnie

Well said!

I just wait for Ghoti to go to sleep and I take his stuff. He's got really nice stuff. Ronnie

Loomis IMX custom FS905 Flippin Stik. It is heaven for pitching jigs. Ronnie

I think you ALL should send those "old", "obsolete" Gammy hooks and "Rapala" lures and all your "Senko" type baits that are out of style to ME. I will make a "Time Capsul" and bury it in my tackle box. Ronnie

I have the same rod, but mines an IMX custom. You can fish a heavy a heavier lure, you just need to be carefull while casting. If you are pitching, you can use most any lure with no problem, but you can break the rod if you load it real heavy and try to cast it a mile. I have done this. JMHO Ronnie

Dutifully forwarded the text of this post to Mrs. Ghotti! You can thank me later. Ronnie

I (and my daughter) both have two "IBA" (Iron Butt Association" certificates for long distance motorcycle endurance riding. When she was 15 years old we rode from Zanesville, OH to the Kansas Colorado border 1,167 miles in 19 hours, slept 5 hours and made another 460 miles to Montrose CO. That's a "Saddle Sore 1000" (1000+ miles in less than 24 hrs) and a "Bun Burner 1500" (1500+ miles in less than 36 hrs). We were gone for 11 days and averaged almost 800 miles a day for the whole trip. Memories that last a lifetime! Ronnie

5' 6" Hvy for close quarters pitching. Ronnie

I would marvel at the miracle of winning the lottery without having played. Ronnie