PourMyOwn

Ice out largemouth on a 1/2 oz rattle trap. My only other 5 plus largemouth was on a Mann's Auger tail 6 inch worm. One smallmouth over 5 this year, on a football jig with a Guido bug in 22ft of water.

Throw more deep diving crankbaits. I don't love the process but I do love the results.

How fitting it is. We are a live and let live state. (For now at least)

Duofold, the heaviest you can buy. I live in NH, ice fish, snowmobile, all that silly stuff. Been wearing Duofolds for 30 years.

Funny how a bunch of "Live Free or Die" NH residents are in favor of this. Again, I'm really happy that you guys found something that works for you.

It doesn't matter. Maybe if you put 50 pound mono or something with a really big diameter...but that's highly unlikely.

Whatever you have lying around-it doesn't make a difference. I've never gotten down to my backing in 30 years of using baitcasters.

It's wonderful that you found something that helps you.

I used to work for a large life insurance company. At our annual meeting, I hung out with some Georgia and Alabama boys one night, and the hatred they shared for Auburn was the funniest thing I've ever heard.

I remember when I took the plunge and bought my first 6' casting rod. I wasn't sure if I'd ever need anything other than the 5'6"!

By my dog's second bark I have at least one in my hand.

I'm a Buckeye, born and raised. Also from southeastern "Ahia" so I am rooting for Joey Burrow-unless he's playing against tOSU. That being said, I will never understand rooting for the other teams in the conference like you SEC guys do. My assumption is that it's a "the South versus the World" type of thing. (As an Appalachian American I do pull for UK/WVU) I hope Bama obliterates that team up north. I have a lot of respect for Wisconsin and a lot of friends in Minnesota, but otherwise I don't care about anyone else in the Big 10. Watching Penn St/UM lose is almost as gratifying as watching Ohio State win.

My Springer Spaniel barks her fool head off whenever someone is in my driveway. I'll never be without that.

Still my favorite, I'm sitting on bulk spools for 6-14 lb test. I probably have a lifetime supply!

Thanks for a really informative post. I see that you also use Maxima-by any chance do you use Ultra Green? I'm looking for a new line to buy in bulk now that my beloved Silver Thread has been discontinued.

I have the same experience with my HJ 10s. Anything over 8lb test and they rise. I'm using Silver thread copoly on these, in case someone wants to check line diameter rather than lb test.

I also use a spinning outfit for small jigs. It's a 7' medium and I use 20 lb braid to a 17lb leader.

Mann's worms are always in my tackle box-the Auger tail and Jelly worm are legendary.

Just take Tom's advice, and if you don't like the Big Game, use it as backing for one of the expensive lines that you try next.

Pool noodle?

Guido bugs are great on finesse jigs.

I lost a 6' Fenwick in a fire two years ago, I hunt Ebay for that rod every week. I did just find a 5'6" Lew's Speed stick from the early 80s that I also lost-it will be my Torpedo rod. I just really like the old pistol grip fiberglass feel.

Such is my life from June 15th-August 25. I'm a high school teacher. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, gentlemen.

One more thing to consider: I have a 15' Alumacraft v hull for small ponds-it handles waves much better with the 25hp than it did when I tried my buddies' 9.9. Stability is a big deal in the waters you mentioned.

I'm also a Buckeye, born and raised. Burrow has always been a class act, and anyone else from "southeastern Ahia" is alright by me.