blckshirt98

As a shore guy I don't have a set rule but it's a combination of both depending on where I'm fishing. If I'm at the same local reservoirs/shorelines where I have a history of what has worked before, I'll stick to what I know the fish will bite and change location more often than change the bait. If it's a new reservoir I'll look for a "fishy" spot like a point or cove, and will change baits first and much more often, before changing locations.

I usually keep my leader to around 25 inches, give or take a few - I pull more leader than I need from the spool in case i mess up my knot and need to trim/re-tie.

For a crankbait go with straight braid, you don't need a fluoro leader (or at least I haven't noticed any difference in strikes). If you're concerned about getting the crankbait down with braid, just use straight fluoro. For finesse I can't think of a presentation where you would need to reel in enough line where a braid-to-fluoro knot would hit your guides. Personally I used to use a double-uni knot to connect 20lb braid to 6-10lb fluoro, but ran into a lot of line burn/breaking issues where I just use a Spro Power Swivel now, and haven't had any breakage issues since.

How about a threader that the fly-fisherman use for tiny flies? https://www.amazon.com/Design-CF-602-Spare-Threaders-Regular/dp/B00H4ETHLS/ref=pd_lpo_200_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CMTXNXD8YV3PAHVKB2XY He'll need to learn a basic but strong knot once he gets the hook/lure threaded on but he should be able to do that by feel with enough practice. Even something like a simple double overhand knot, while maybe not the strongest, will at least get him out on the water.

I wish I had a bass/fishing room. Instead I have "crap in five different rooms".

The tiny zip ties are the best idea. I saw them for the first time when I got a Reebs' Bolt Thrower spinnerbait because he uses the zip ties to secure skirts in normal production. I got a pack of the white and black zip ties and started to replace any old/rotting bands on any of my chatterbaits/spinnerbaits/jigs. Just be sure to get a good quality FLUSH wire cutter so you get a nice flat and smooth finish after you trim off the excess zip tie.

Is your home lake, Lake Mission Viejo? I've been there once (for trout) and shore access was pretty limited. My guess would be if all the cover near shore was killed off, then the bass did move offshore to the deeper water and are only coming shallow to actively feed. With the shoreline cover killed off they won't just leisurely hang out in the open in the shallows. I saw a similar affect when they drained Coyote Reservoir up here in NorCal for drinking water when they had to shut down the feed from San Luis Reservoir. One week Coyote was at it's regular water levels and I was crushing it every week by casting along the grasslines and tules. When they started to drain the reservoir the water levels dropped by about 15 feet and all off the cover and structure I fished was 50 feet above the waterline. The shallows were nothing but bare dirt and smooth clay, not a fish or bite to be seen anywhere.

For that money you can get a custom Low Down Customs or MOAM swimbait rod built (though there's some leadtime with them) and be the envy of all your fishing buddies. Low Down Custom has a XXH White Label "production" rod that is currently sold out, but send an email or call either LDC or MOAM for more info.

Wintertime in NorCal is when the local reservoirs will start stocking Lassen trout so I'll go trout fishing a couple of times a month if it's not wet/rainy. Other than that I'll clean up the rods I used heavily with Q-Tips and water, will re-spool or fill up spools with line, and will organize and clean up tackle that I tend to just throw around during the season. I'll also use the cold days to stay indoors and watch a ton of movies or read books.

Grats on the free reel! Did you take any pictures of the mutant reel you were originally sent? I'm curious to see what that looked like...

In in Northern California with the ocean only about 45 minutes away, so I'll fish both fresh and salt, For freshwater I'll target bass most of the time, though being a shore guy once the temperatures drop and the bass move deep I'll switch over to trout. It works out nicely because as the bass go inactive the Lassen trout plants come pouring in weekly and the trout are active and aggressive (plus I eat trout). Every now and then I'll mix it up and go surf fishing for perch and/or whatever else I catch since I mostly use a C-Rig and that'll catch almost anything in the surf. If I ever go to Southern California I'll tend to go saltwater more often, because of the warmer water and much wider variety of species in the salt there. Also if you've never caught a calico or spotted bay bass on bass gear you're missing out, some of the toughest fighting fish pound for pound, they fight like largemouth bass on steroids! http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/california-saltwater-bass-fishing-tips/ http://fishtacochronicles.com/Inshore_Bass_Basics.html When it comes down to it I just like catching fish - If I target bass and hook a carp or end up finding a school of nice bluegill or crappie, I have no problem catching and releasing any of those fish - for me it's all about the tick of the bite, the hookset, the reel in, and the landing. The kind of fish at the end of the line is the last thing I think about (unless it's a monster, then I hope it's a bass).

Got my blems today, and I really can't find any blemishes. They also all came with split rings attached!

Cooch is the man, also one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet!

These just went up for sale on TW 25 days of Christmas but only marked down to $45, while it looks like Dick's still has them in stock online.

I've read in a few places that holding a large fish vertically can tear their internal organs as well - http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/2014/02/the-proper-way-to-hold-a-bass-a-scientific-perspective.html

I use a 4;8" Jackall Flick Shake for wacky drop shot, can be really effective at times when nose hooking isn't drawing a strike. Your gear setup should be fine, and others have added good suggestions if you want to tweak your presentation.

Haven't seen them in stores yet but the zako looks like it'll have the same action as a Lake Fork Live Magic Shad. Will definitely check them out once they start showing up in the retail stores.

I had some in my cart at work and held off but forgot about it once I got home. Woke up early and grabbed one each of the only Rio Rico colors left, and a few small ones. I have split rings and hooks, just not sure what size to use for each.

Dang, that is tough luck and sorry about your injury. When they say "arthritis will form and get worse over time" are they talking in 5-10 years? Would the surgery prevent the arthritis? If the arthritis isn't for 8-10 years out I'd probably just try to fish without the reconstructive surgery, and see if surgery is an option down the line once the arthritis gets bad. 10 years of fishing would take you to 64 and retirement and you can just bait fish while reading a book and drinking a beer in a chair on a dock somewhere!

Buy gift cards now and use them during the 25 Days of Christmas sale if they put up something you like for optimal efficiency!

The local tackle shop has a markdown section where I find a few good deals here and there, like a Megabass I-Slide 135 for $30 or soft plastics at almost half off. Most of my damage though is done at store closings. When Sports Authority got rid of their fishing departments a few years back they had stuff marked down 50-75% and I got bagfuls of Gulp, spinners, Rapalas, fluorocarbon, and reels. When Sports Chalet closed down they also had sliding markdowns where I got stuff from 40-90% off. An awesome mom and pop tackle shop (Ly's Fishing Goods) sadly closed down and had a 50% off sale, and another local outdoor shop (Mel Cotton's) is in the process of closing down and also has everything at 50% off. Sucks to see all of these stores closing down though.

I'm not keen on banning lead because of the reasons stated that it can start a slippery slope of legislation. Next thing you know they're going to find the soft plastics in fish and birds and ban all plastics. Also it's not just lead causing the mortality in the loons there's other factors involved and banning lead is like plugging a hole in a boat with a finger. Also if a loon ingests lead, what if they ingest brass or steel or tungsten? Tungsten also is too expensive right now to be a viable alternate. Tungsten drop shot weights run about $1.50 and up per piece, vs around 20 cents for a lead weight. Brass and steel are more in line price-wise and I'd use those over tungsten until tungsten prices dropped.

Cabelas has Curado 300/301E reels and Chronarch 150/151 reels on sale. Not a crazy large markdown, but cheaper than the 'Bay or anywhere else for a new reel. http://www.cabelas.com/product/bargain-cave/fishing/reels|/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/shimano-174-curado-e-baitcast-reel/1148885.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freels%2F_%2FN-1102770%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105742980 http://www.cabelas.com/product/bargain-cave/fishing/reels|/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/shimano-reg-chronarch-150-ci4-casting-reel/1672240.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freels%2F_%2FN-1102770%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105742980

Outlet Bait is the best! I've got a lifetime supply of GYCB kut tails stocked up!

For best bang for the buck I'd go with the Shimano Sienna as well. I have a few Sienna FDs that I use for my surf setups since they're cheap and easier to toss out if I dunk the reel in the surf. Have never had an issue with them. The newer Sienna FEs look sharper and are the same price. Hard to beat for $30 especially if you can find them on sale.