Columbia Craw

I just tell my wife i'm going to see my girlfriend and then go fishing.

I recall reading an article by Mike Folkestad several years ago. He stressed the importance of a natural vertical drop and achieved it with an open bail. I prefer spinning gear because of light line, smaller hooks and the drop factor. I'm in the minority in the rod choice because I like a 7'4" rod. I have been fortunate enough to land two largemouth over seven pounds on this set up. Slow and patient.

Seven foot, medium heavy, moderate fast action. The Dobyns Fury 705CB is my recommendation.

Every spinnerbait brand/manufacture mentioned makes a very good bait. Two manufactures not mentioned that I have a lot of confidence in are Revenge and Dobyns. I fish spinnerbaits a bunch for smallmouth and these baits are my go to's. I also own quite a few Stanleys and Peppers. Flashover also makes a great bait and will custom paint blades. You have numerous options for sure.

Didn't Johnny Morris buy the Philippines ? There should be a BPS then.

I just had my boat wrapped with my non endemic sponsor, DEPENDS.

My heart felt thanks goes out to every veteran, service man and service woman. Thank you !!

A 1500C. Goose you brought a tear to my eye.

I agree with you wholeheartedly. All my lures with fit in one container, a 39 gallon trash can, and, I can get the lid on it. I also am a minimalist when it comes to rods and reels combos. I only have three rod racks. I know one thing for sure, my two grandsons will never want for tools or bass tackle when I'm too old to get in a boat.

Very nice !

Eco Pro Swing Shad. Your welcome.

Smoke sparkle with a chartreuse tail buddy.

You're killing me Joe. Normans Deep Little N's: 49 Over a dozen packs of 5 inch Senkos and Hula Grubs I just gave a buddy of mine a box of 27 Bandit 100's. I haven't thrown a Bandit in a long time I guess. Doug

Fuego LT. Lews bait casters are the strong point of the brand. The spinning reels are not. The LT series from Diawa are nice.

I generally don't tout too many lures, especially plastics but I'm going to make an exception. I've been a fan of the Brush Hog since it's release and know there is a time when a long slender profile is most effective. I wanted that profile but with more material in the head and body to accept a heavy hook. I tried the Cristie Critter but just wasn't that excited. The RI MBP looked promising but I feared the material wouldn't be pliable enough but grabbed a packed a month ago. The conditions finally showed up to fish it and it met all my expectations. Right size, mass, active action and takes a super line or Owner wide gap plus hook well (4/0). Durability is okay, the price of a softer material but the action is very active. Best of all, the bass liked it. I'm not promoting a bait for the bait's sake. But if it can work for others like it worked for me and helps catch more bass, this would make the post worth while.

I'm praying for you Broomstick. Take care of you first. Please keep us in the loop as best you can. Doug

Champion 733C XP Champion 734C XP Champion 705CB XP Extreme 745C HP Extreme 742SF HP If someone sent me to any random body of water, blindfolded and said I get five rods to cover everything, these are the models I would take.

T-rig and skip under docks and pitch around bushes.

You are not a jerk, period. He is not stupid. You are motivated to learn and committed to put in the time, effort and expense, he is not or at least not yet. There is a big difference in fishing buddies going out together and a fisherman who goes out with a friend. With bass fishing the disparity is even greater because the skill levels required to cast and feel a strike are not like cat fishing or perch fishing. If he has any interest at all, you can choose to be a mentor and help him get up to speed so he's at least proficient. End your outing with a question for your friend. " What could we have done different today to catch em" ? If he doesn't have a response, redefine what activities you choose to share with him. Finally, you're not a jerk.

Don't tell Emma Sasquatch doesn't exist or Papa will be a fibber.

Kiss MY wife before I leave for the lake.

Wonderful catch. A once in a lifetime fish. Congratulations !

Ibuprofen.

Am I the only one who has an issue with the sharp top of the Diawa Zaion Dag Star sticking into the top of their fore finger when pitching? I really climb up on the reel and the rod trigger lays between my ring finger and little finger when I pitch. It was not an issue until I moved to some Diawa reels for pitchin duties. I prefer holding the rod/reel in this manner as it maximized the loop rotation of my wrist and I get power with less effort and better accuracy. I guess i'm the freak on this issue. The platform makes no difference.

Went into my local family owned sporting goods store to pick up some special ordered stuff. I dropped in the manager's office ( friend of mine ) and ended up with a Diawa Zillion HD at cost and two Evergreen CR8 cranks as a thank you.