bmadd

I like the low profile plano boxes (3701) for my terminal tackle. I just put a small piece of masking tape on each end of the divider before putting them in the slots. Haven't had a problem yet. Braden

That is an awesome looking bait...real interesting pattern also. Good find

I really like that bluegill color. How do you like the traps from Jann's?

I had never heard of them until I saw your post. I searched form them and gave them a look. My only comments are 1. I wouldn't spend serious money on fishing glasses unless I received a lifetime warranty on both the frames and the lenses. 2. All of the packages are marked 5$ more than if you bought the frame and the three lenses individually. Just my opinion. I'd go with a more trusted brand such as Costa Del Mar, Maui Jim, Oakley, or Solar Bat. That's just my opinion. Braden

It looks real good to me BigM. Is the top color all purple? It looks almost blue on the sides. What kind of action does that thing have?

I've been able to net my own fish while keeping it hooked up in the other while in a small chop in a 18' boat. It's not that bad at all. I can't imagine having a net with mesh and trying to get a hook out of it.

Are the Gamakatsu 60* flat eye jigs smaller than the same size and style Mustad hooks? I'm fixing to make my first order and had heard that somewhere?

Split rings are often added to the nose of walking baits to give them enhanced action. I have found it necessary on certain lures but not with my Sammy 100's. I have been perfectly happy with the action I achieve with the lure without the split ring and have had my success to show it. Try it both ways and see which you like more Braden

The University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana Tech are the only other schools I'm aware of. I can't say for the rest of the schools but at Martin all that is required is to pay I think it was 10 or 15$ at the beginning of the year to help with registrations and things, attending meetings, and participating in our club tournaments. It's a great experience and I really suggest anyone who has the opportunity to be a part of collegiate bass fishing to do so even if you aren't a fan of competitive bass fishing. You make great friends and memories that will last your lifetime as well as building on your education of our favorite past time. Braden

The brown jig on the left appears thinner but I'm sure that's related to the angle of the shot. Otherwise I can't really notice much of a difference. Am I missing something?

What is the difference between silicone, round rubber, and flat rubber skirt materials as far as action, and looks? Thanks, Braden

RobDar- I looked at the auto well nuts. How would I go about using them? Also-as far as Marine sealant, I am thinking the 3M Marine 5200 adhesive sealant. Any body have any experience with the product? Thanks, Braden

When I bought my first boat, an 18 ft Bumble Bee fiberglass bass boat, it came with a hot foot. The first time I used the boat, the screws mounting the Hot Foot to the floorboard stripped out. Since then I've replaced the screws three times, each time with increasing in size and each time they still strip out. I'm looking for a cheap permanent fix. My thinking is taking up the carpet and prepping the surface. Then fixing a piece of treated 1x6 to the floorboard with some sort of marine epoxy. Then covering the board with leftover carpet and mounting the Hot Foot to the 1x6. Will this be sufficient or are there other means I should try? Thanks, Braden

Yea you got at what I was interested in. Sorry for the confusion Big M. Basically, I knew balsa baits had high buoyancy and great action and that it was the most common choice by most lure manufactures and crafters. I also noticed that some manufacturers used cedar such as the Poes lures. I just wanted to know if there were advantages to using cedar over balsa or any other woods and so forth. As always, I'm amazed at the knowledge you guys have. Thanks, Braden

I have a question on wood baits and I figured I would be able to garner a much better understanding from those who craft with the materials themselves. Most wood baits that I'm associated with are balsa and cedar. I know the properties of balsa baits, but what about cedar and other woods? -Braden

Here is a sort of general run-down. There are two different organizations that host collegiate national championship tournaments. Each school is required to host qualifying tournaments within their individual club to determine who will represent the school at each national tournament. You also have schools that host invitational tournaments. These tournaments do not require qualified anglers to compete, just members of the school's team. Each tournament, the schools have to provide their own transportation and boats. All but one of the tournaments require the schools to pay for lodging and most other expenses. The national tournaments have a scholarship payout to the winning team. Rules for the tournaments are a combination of BASS and FLW rules. When you arrive at your college of choice, contact the person in charge of Student Organizations regarding contact information on who is in charge of your school's club or on how to start your on if one does not exist. If you have any other questions feel free to pm me. -Braden

I bought the small BPS Extreme Boat Bag and then used one gallon size zip-loc bags to organize my different plastics. Very economical and I find it very efficient. -Braden

I bought some hackle to try and dress my own treble hooks for a few lures. I have found some good information on the net on the process but I have a few other questions that I can't seem to find answers for. First: Should I use only the tips of the hackle or can I keep re-using on individual feather? Second: How long do you extend the hackle from the bottom of the trebles? Most fly sites stated 2-3" but all my bass lures seem to only use .5-1" below the treble. Thanks, Braden

Being a participant of the University of Tennessee at Martin's Bass team, I can tell you absolutely that any form of fishing is NOT a NCAA sanctioned sport. There are two private, very non-NCAA related, organizations who host collegiate bass fishing events. However, I think it wise to mention to your coaches whatever benefits you receive from fishing-related sponsers just to get that out in the clear. -Braden

1 St. Croix Avid 7' MF 1 TD Advantage 153H7 1 TD Advantage 150h (must have assumed I wanted the cheaper older models : ) 1 LC Sammy 100 and 1 $200 gift card to Dick's

Thanks for that tip bigm...I appreciate the help with the learning curve.

I have a few baits that I am modifying and would like to change the paint scheme. I have no means to justify buying an airbrush yet so I was wondering what I needed to look for in rattle cans. All lures are plastic and will be coated in Devcon afterwards. Braden

After painting the epoxy on the bait, what do you use to clean the brush with?

I'll be unwrapping an iFinder H2O tomorrow so I'll be able to give you my first impressions on it sometime tomorrow or Wed.

They do look sweet...I especially like the olive craw and the super ayu colors. However I'm not interested in the price paid and not being able to get insurance or a tracking number...