fishingram24

20 dollar Jack Hammer not like after they came out. Most expensive bait I have bought to date. Would say I don't buy expensive baits but even what was once affordable baits are now 10$ or more.

Had an 89 marsh hawk 3 v with a 60 rude on it that I ran for 12 or so years. Good little boat that I sold when I moved up to my first Xpress.

Bought the Zoom G tail this year and it is just like I remember the Gator tail from many years ago.

If it has salt added you will have rusting hooks if left on to long. I use a lot of Zoom products and most have a lot of salt added to them and if I forget to take them off I have rust issues plus I fish brackish water which only increases the problem.

Academy gets a lot of business from me, better prices than BPS but maybe not as big of a selection. Also use Tackle Warehouse and BPS at times. For a smaller company Buzz Baits has some quality plastics and spinnerbaits.

Don't own them but everyone I have ask rave about the Mellinnum seats.

Without a doubt my favorite bait to throw is a spinner bait and the one I have the most confidence when they will hit it but any top water bite is a blast as well. Those buzz bait blow ups are memorable.

Isn't it great to have the water to yourself. Best part of being retired is I only fish week days and my last trip I never saw another boat.

My baits of choice are spinner baits and t rigged plastics. One is moving fast and the other slow so I get an idea of the fishes mood that day and can expand on either one. Cranks or buzz baits for days when they chase or twitching a top water maybe for days that they want something slower.

Live in the deep south so summer is my down time. Spend it going through tackle and taking stock of anything that I might need which is nothing, doing maintenance on reels and boat. After Labor Day it will be time to hit the water again and fish through May.

I have used The Z craw jr. a lot and super glue works great. Also use Zoom Fat Albert grubs, flukes and recently the Crush City Freeloader and its a day to day thing that the fish decide.

Don't use a buff but I've always used eye glass holders for my sun glasses, cost to much to not take precautions as they are prescriptive. They are not all the same and some are much more comfortable than others. Want one that intrudes on my ears as little as possible.

Almost all of my hooks are Gamakatsu now and all get touched up on my Smith's diamond hone on the fine side. Never felt like I've had issue with getting a good hook set. Used the Smith's hone for many years and its always done a great job.

Probably the first worm I used was a Creme modulator which was greenish with a darker color mixed in. Also purple/white tail still works either weightless or with 1/8 oz weight.

Keep a rough count in my head, lately it hasn't been to hard to keep up with.

Temp was 98 and heat index was 121 around 2pm according to.my weather station. To hot to do anything outside for a few days but supposed to be in the lower 90's later in the week.

For me, I use 12# fluoro for cranks and flukes, 15# fluoro for worms, 30# braid for spinnerbaits, chatter baits, buzz baits and some top water. Anything else 14# fluoro or mono.

Weather Underground for many years.

Live on the Ms. Gulf Coast and fished Fla., Alabama, Louisiana. Would love to try some smallies up north but probably won't happen at this point I my life. Just to far to drive.

Always wear my script sunglasses with poly lens. Have glaucoma and my left eye is already really bad so I really need to take care of what I have left. I've always worn sunglasses on the water and don't know how you could fish without them.

Being an old guy that no longer fishes tournaments, I will share info with someone who ask but don't worry because no one believes a lying fisherman anyway. I only volunteer info to my long time buddy who does still fish tournaments and that's mainly locations because we don't always fish the same way.

Own exactly one spinning combo and it is not a high dollar one. Tried a few times to master it but not much luck. To many baits I don't use to name, willing to try almost anything but use what works for me.

For my area, a 4+ is considered a big fish. When I was in a club we had a lunker pot for tournaments that had to be over 4 to take the money or it rolled over. Not unusual for it to go several months before we had a winner.

At this point in my life,70 years, 6-7 hours max except for a few trips we take each year when it closer to 8-9 hours but that's in the spring and fall when cooler temps come around.

For the waters I fish, a coastal and tidal river system, winds affect the tide which in turn affects fishing. A north wind means lower than normal tide and southerly winds cause higher than normal tides plus slows the rate of fall. Higher tide levels give our fish much more room to roam and get into areas you can't get to. Weather Underground and my own weather station are my primary sources for all things weather related.