desmobob

My favorite by far for the unweighted 5" Senkos is the older KLX 6'9" MHF "Finesse worm, tube and jig" model. It was rated for baits from 1/8 oz. and it delivers on that rating. I don't see it, or anything similar, in Kistlers current line-up. Too bad... Tight lines, Bob

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=lew's Tight lines, Bob

This is how I learned to tie the knot. Maybe that's why I haven't had any problems with unraveling... (and I don't use superglue). Tight lines, Bob

A tiny drop of superglue can do wonderful things. That's what I was going to suggest. I have not yet (knot yet?) had an FG knot unravel, but I have very little time fishing them so far (30 and 40 lb. Power Pro knotted to 17 lb. AbrazX). My progression of braid-to-mono knots has been Uni-to-Uni, then Albright, then Alberto, then FG. I really like the FG so far. Tight lines, Bob

+1 The SV 105 handles light baits easily. I'd recommend it over any reel in the Lew's line-up for casting very light lures. I have an Alphas SV105 and several Lew's Tournament Pros. Tight lines, Bob

I have a 2014 Merc 40HP EFI four-stroke, and it's the quietest, most fuel-efficient engine I've ever owned. It pushes my Tracker Pro170 along just fine and it makes me smile every time I check the fuel tank! I have 200+ hours on it, and it has performed faultlessly. Tight lines, Bob

A very sincere Thank You to Long Mike for his work, and another Thank You to Ghoti for stepping up! Guys like you make this forum a great one! Tight lines, Bob

For sure! I keep my go-to stuff in the hard box, and all the other tackle in 3700s in a big soft zippered case. The 3700s are so handy for organization, I can hardly consider NOT using them, but the whole system sure ends up being bulky. I guess there no easy way around it if you like to carry a lot of stuff. Tight lines, Bob

I'm so far out in the sticks, I can't get ANY radio reception in my favorite fishing areas. And my boat doesn't have enough console space for a stereo. So I bought an iPod Touch. It's an awesome gadget, but I made the mistake of listening to advice on what size to buy. "You only need the 16GB version. It will hold about 4K songs." WRONG! I cannot fit nearly as much music as I want to on it and regret not buying a larger one. But anyway, I love it, it works great, has a great camera, lots of handy apps, etc. It's literally an iPhone 6 without the phone (I don't own a cell phone!). I bring a good wireless stereo speaker (TDK Trek Max A34) in the boat with me and enjoy great music and no commercials all day. Tight lines, Bob

Has anyone tried the Bill Norman ScorpioN weedless model? Looks interesting... I picked up a couple to try next season. Tight lines, Bob

That's a newer version that's similar. Mine is an older version of this one: There are slots to the left of the spinnerbait rack that allow you to store about five or six of the small Plano boxes, standing on their edge. I'm glad to see they still offer it.. "The Stow Away System." Tight lines, Bob

We're setting records in the Northeast for LACK of snowfall! And I'm not the least bit upset about it.... Tight lines, Bob

Well, let's put it this way: It rained up here on Monday night, and I saw nightcrawlers on the driveway on Tuesday morning. Our forecast for December 24th is a high of 58* -- and a low of 43*. If Lake George does freeze at all this winter, it will be WAY late... I should have never winterized the boat! Tight lines, Bob

I guess I'd have to look for a used one. And you guys know that if I DID get that reel, it would lead to a direct comparison to my Daiwa PX Type R; undisputed king of the finesse reels? Tight lines, Bob

I am a big fan of the Pit Boss and am surprised you haven't experienced any success with them! I like the Papa Pit Boss the best, and it seems that big bass do, too! I wonder if they'll come out with an even larger one? Tight lines, Bob

I have a pile of handguns, rifles and shotguns, but the .22LRs are my favorites to shoot, for sure! I have three .22 handguns, three .22 rifles, plus a Colt .22LR conversion kit for my Colt Sporter HBAR rifle and a .22LR Cadet conversion kit for my CZ-75 9mm pistol. I spent a few seasons shooting NRA Indoor Four-Position Small Bore competition -- .22LR shooting at its finest! But sometimes, nothing beats a relaxing day of casual plinking with the .22s. I've never tried one of the .17s. It's on my list though... Tight lines, Bob

OK Shimano fans... give me some advice. I'd love to have an opinion to add to this thread, but I don't own any Shimano bait casting reels. For bait casters, I have four Lew's Tournament Pros, a Daiwa PX Type R, a Daiwa Alphas SV105, two Daiwa Tatulas, and two Abu Orra Winches. Just from the fear I'm missing out on the Shimano love, what Shimano bait caster should I try as my next reel purchase that will provide me with the authentic Shimano experience? (It has to be left-hand retrieve and <$200; new or used.) [i do own two Symetre and two Sedona Shimano spinning reels. One of the Symetre reels is an old "Aero-Symetre" model and I really like it. The newer one from this spring has already had a binding issue. The two Sedonas are OK, but feeling a little sloppy already after light use.] Tight lines, Bob

I have Amazon Prime, by myself, and I probably break even on shipping, plus get a buck or two off on normal prices. I think I've only once ever taken advantage of any of the other freebies that go along with it (I watched the film, Dam Nation. If you haven't seen it, check it out!). But with fishing tackle, I have no problem meeting my favorite on-line retailers' minimum order to get free shipping. I'm happy with the way it works and would not be happy to have to pay for "free shipping." I stock up on what I need in the off-season and rarely need a small quantity of anything. If I do, I can usually find it a a local chain store, or get it from an eBay seller at a good price with shipping included. Tight lines, Bob

For frogs, I'd stick with braid. I slices through most of the weeds vs. gathering them up like mono. You could always add a leader (if you felt it was necessary) when fishing jigs. Tight lines, Bob

I wouldn't have any problem knowing when my crank got hit if I was using a broomstick. I don't need sensitivity to tell me when I'm hooked up with a fish! I do want to know when there is a piece of weed hanging on my hooks, or I'm barely ticking the tops of the grass, or a fish tried to suck it in and missed. In other words, sensitivity is a paramount concern. To me, at least. Tight lines, Bob

I fish for striped bass in saltwater every spring with the fly rod. It's sight fishing on shallow water flats. They are definitely schooling fish, and almost every time you hook one out of the school, at least one or two of their schoolmates will accompany them right to the boat, all through the fight. Keep in mind, when they are up on the shallow flats, they are at their spookiest. And I've seen that happen with freshwater fish of various species at times. That would lead me to believe they must not communicate any kind of "danger" or negative signal when caught. I tend to think there is no communication, and that the struggle of a fish being caught does nothing but excite other fish; at least in predatory fish. Tight lines, Bob

I have such good luck with the inexpensive line of Bill Norman cranks, I haven't really felt the need to look any further. That said, I guess I don't know what I might be missing.... Tight lines, Bob

You're welcome! Use your new reel in good health, and catch lots of fish! Tight lines, Bob

Big C is lying to you... Northern Pike and Pickerel also frequently become stuck on the Scum Frogs I throw. No weeds, though. They are cheap and effective. Tight lines, Bob

My new JawJacker came in the mail today. I hope I get to try it out this winter! It's not looking good so far... another day in the 50's here in upstate NY. That's just bizarre! Tight lines, Bob