Columbia Craw

Slinkys are a weight system made with parachute cord and lead shot. You cut the lengths, melt the end, fill the cord with shot, insert a snap swivel and shrink melt that end to the snap swivel. The are very effective Don't transmit any feel of the bottom. I make my own but never use them for a bass fishing application. I can provide pictures if there is interest.

My buddy Brian and I were going through my terminal tackle and discussing the merits of each item. He got to a partial spool of 1/4 inch pencil lead and looked puzzled and asked me why my steelhead weight was in my bass stuff. So I explained to him the applications and he agreed it needed to be in his boat as well. With that conversation and it being winter, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the forum for what they are worth. In the PNW every tackle dealer carries 3/16 and 1/4 inch diameter rolled pencil lead for steel head drift fishing, a common sport here in my region. It's actually inexpensive and comes sold by spools or by the linear foot. Here's how I use it. Drop Shot: I fish the Columbia River which has an incredible amount of volcanic rock and that structure eats drop shot sinkers. When I get into that kind of location I use hollow core in place of a swiveled drop shot weight. I just put the bottom end of the dropper through the hole until I see the end come through and crimp the top tight with my needle nose pliers. The weight has a direct connection, can be cut to achieve the exact amount of weight desired and when it gets hung up the setup minus weight can be pulled free. Slide and crimp and you are back in the game. If I choose, i'll some time bend the weight into an arc and this helps snagging issues further. It's that simple. Dragging Rig: This is much closer to the steelhead application. On cleaner bottoms I tie a barrel swivel to the main line. I then tie a long leader, often about 30 inches with a Trilene knot but leave the tag end two to three inches long at the swivel. This is what I crimp my hollow core too. I tie my appropriate hook and add the lure I want to drag. I drag minnie Rage Craws, SK Rodents, Baby Brush Hogs, Fat Robo worms, reapers, tubes or french fries. The nice aspect of this rig is it allows the lure to move freely in current and looks natural. You have to look for line wear and re tie more often than some rigs. The fish, once pinned are separated from any weight to be used as leverage. The hook up ratio is very good. Finesse Carolina: As it sounds. I select a length of hollow core pencil head, slide my main line through and add a bead before tying to the barrel swivel. I ties my leader at the desired length and add my soft plastic lure of choice. I know you can just use an egg singer but the slender pencil lead come through vegetation like no tomorrow. I'm sure there's other ways to capitalize on HC but these have been tried and true for me. I hope it helps another member catch a few for this season, when ever it gets here. It was 27 degrees this morning. Doug

The only lizards I have now are the 5 inch skinny YUM Zellemanders with the twin tails and they are saved for light Carolina rigging when the smallmouth bite is slooooow. Brush Hogs Cristy Critters and the RI Man Bear Pig get the nod these days.

One Gallon Zip Lok freezer bags. I just place the original packages in the larger sealed bag. You can label them for bait types with a sharpie, they are see through, ride nicely and are durable.

Yeah, I'm broke too.

I stuck my head through a wall once to get a bite of pizza. Makes sense to me.

Peacock I have a terrible nightmares. Bad enough that I soaked the sheets to the point my wife had to change them. I'll bet it took me five minutes for my pulse rate to drop below 80. I was helping her change the sheets and she looked up at me with a concerned face and said, " Dreaming about fishing with those bright yellow rods again ? " " yup." I said. She responded, " you need to see somebody about that."

Black Dog Shell Cracker

My box has Gammy Dropshot/Splitshot, Extra Wide Gap Finesse, Owner Mosquito, and Robo Worm Rebarbs. I was thinking of trying a treble hook on a drop **** and nose hooking three thin worms. Hey, just like a finesse umbrella rig. Oh, maybe I won't.

I love this forum. It's just dysfunctional enough to be fun and the experience shared has helped a bunch of anglers including me. I do miss that 13 year old kid who was a self appointed industry expert and his dad bought him everything. He was entertaining like Verruca in Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. I guess attempts to temper his delivery failed.

So Daiwa for some reason chooses to utilize bushings where bearings would be a better choice. That is a pretty easy fix, specifically in the reel handles so I thought it would be a good winter project. The investment is well worth it as I notice any handle grip play was corrected. It's a subtle change but worth the effort. Worm gear bushings will be next.

First, the 736CB is a composite rod with plenty of power. The main feature is how a bladed jig releases when it's caught in vegetation. The rod allows the bait to come free and start up without pulling away so much quicker. I also fish heavy spinnerbaits for smallmouth. When they come up out of the deep in current they will take the rod right out out of your hand. The softer tip prevent, to some extent, the fish tearing a hole and throwing the bait. I can also cast a very long distance with this model. Lamiglas made a model called the Crank-N-Blade and Fenwick produced an Elite Tech Spinnerbait model so I've applied this feature for several years. The Dobyns is so much more refined than those two models. Drop by the house and you can try mine any time.

I think i'm one of the rare few. Dobyns 736CB Glass. This model was developed specifically for bladed jigs but makes a great spinnerbait rod.

Caught these on consecutive casts on a spinnerbait. Caught these on consecutive casts on a spinnerbait. Caught these on consecutive casts on a spinnerbait. way too much chap stick goin on.

Spinnerbaits have been around along time.

Fear the Spider

Both are excellent reels in their own right. I went with the Ballistic LT and to date I'm really happy with it. The CI4+ has no manual anti reverse. With that said, if I was in your position, I would purchase the Fuego LT as your " co-angler " set up. Save a bunch a money and get great performance for less.

Once upon a time I owned a handful of Lamiglas Excels. They looked okay. The finish, a squeegee applied paint that was baked on, did not hold up as well as hoped. I've always preferred lightly sanded dull graphite finishes which dominates what I fish now. I do have four pre HP DX Extremes which are very blingy but they fish awesome so I accept that. I still have one Lamiglas SR705R, the original yellow e glass model. I put a pin light in the butt cap directed up the length of the blank just in case I have to direct a sea plane when it wants to land.

The fact the pros on this "tour" take it so seriously is what I enjoy. The real time updates play with each contestant's head and that adds the tension. Most of all, the angler's commentary about their thought process and decisions makes the one pound requirement bearable. I DVR the shows and watch them after Judge Judy is over.

Talk about a bunch of awesome photos. Bass from three countries and across the entire USA. I'm honored to be among you guys and those yet to post. Cool stuff.

Dobyns Beast spinnerbait. 6.97 pounds.

Okay, the challenge is on ! My local shop got some free and I will get one or two free and prove to all of you that this design doesn't catch fish. So there. Mark it on your calendar boys and girls. And when the data is in, the release of the guy that marketed this bait will be even more justified.

The LT series is more compact than the previous models. A 3000, which is my choice, is the size of 2500 series. The 2500 will match up nicely with that rod.

Remember the thread about practicing your casting and Catt recommended practicing with what you throw when fishing? I won't be practicing with this bait.

Sweatin' to the oldies. Treadmill 30 minutes, Elliptical machine 20 minutes, Stationary Bike 20 minutes. Two hundred crunches and 60 leg lifts. Lifting starts January 2nd.