Onvacation

Hello Deborah. Congrats on the fish.

Hello. Sounds like some fun fishing trips

Looks pretty good.

My jig questions are answered by Mike at Siebert Outdoors. He is a sponsor, is very knowledgeable, has always helped me out with making sure my orders have went out ASAP, and has thousands of jig combos you could come up with.

I love my older model Stradic. Great reel. I just did a great job today of scratching up the spool with a runaway squarebill hook. What will you have on the auction block?

Great question. My assumption is density of the vegetation is the biggest factor, but I am looking forward to some responses.

To add to what WIGuide stated, I enjoy when the guide tosses a bait out there. Most of the time, it is one of two times this happens with me. First scenario, fishing is slow, so he works some magic to see if it is the fish, the bait, or the angler. Second scenario for me is the fishing is hot. Then I want him to fish too because this sport is all about catching fish. I can only bring them in one at a time, so as long as his fishing doesn't impede mine, let's have some fun. I have given serious thought to starting a website next year and dedicating a good portion of that to guide tips, reviews and so forth. No one wants to hire a bad fit. Sort of a restaurant review on the water type of thing. Problem is, it wouldn't be a cheap endeavor to hire a half dozen guides a year. Maybe I'll enlist some helpers.

Catt has some good options. Personally, if my wife is involved, I can always talk her into Orlando. There might be a place or two there she would like.

Don't know much about them, but the Diawa Ardito has gotten some very good reviews. I will let you know soon because I ordered one today. 7'6" MH. I travel with a two piece Carbonlite spinning rod, and a two piece 7'1" MH One Three fishing rod now. Both do a great job. I just wanted something that would break down smaller. There are more expensive options out there, but I just refuse to spend over $300 on a travel rod.

You can build it cheaper the first time than you can the second time. Personally if I knew anywhere from 26 to 28 was the "yea it fits" length, I would be at 30 if I had the room to do it.

Welcome aboard. I spent much of early 20s driving from South Jersey to U of Delaware in an attempt to destroy my body, liver and moral compass. Always made it back to Jersey just in time.

I will add to the whole lack of feel that Blubasser86 points out because in my eyes, that is one true separation point in finesse fishing. I took my nephew fishing yesterday and we were using a 1/15 oz head and a Hulastickz with about a 1/2 ripped off of it to make it shorter. I knew that we would be pushing our luck trying to get fish on a day without a cloud in the sky in the middle of the afternoon right after a high pressure system hit. We caught 11 small bass and one crappie. We only felt a bite on the crappie and one bass. The rest of the bass were caught by watching the line move, and it was subtle movement at that. Finesse fishing certainly isn't frog in the pads fishing.

Welcome

That fills in some blanks. Welcome

Two states east of the Mississippi I haven't been to and you live in one of them. Welcome

Great to have you. Welcome

In the past year, I've been out with four different guides. The big key is to figure what you want from the trip and narrow it down as much as possible for the guide. For example, "I want to catch fish." is pretty broad and will work, unless of course your goal is to catch trophy fish. Then you might set yourself up to be disappointed. Also set your ego aside. This is not a competition between you and the guide. Your past fishing accomplishments really won't have any relevance. Your skills will, but those will be on display from the first cast. I have yet to fish with a guide who hasn't helped me hone my skills, but I asked them for the tips. They work with hundreds of people a year and see good, bad, and ugly. They also pick up tips themselves, so use them as a resource. Finally, when you are on their boat, that is their investment, office, home away from home. Respect it. Don't toss cut line on the carpet, step on the paint, or poke around unless invited to do so. Oh, and don't ask to smoke. Many guides will say Ok and let you, but deep inside, they are waiting for ashes to hit their carpet and melt it.

I'll be in Orlando Jan 31 thru Feb 4th. Already have two days with a guide and I booked a boat on Turkey Lake for Friday and Saturday morning, but I will be fishing somewhere the whole time.

Very nice. Boat dealer just called me this morning trying to get me to pull the trigger. Soon.

Welcome

Welcome. I love fishing Florida.

Welcome. Make sure you put a picture up. I met a member the other day on the lake because he recognized me.

Welcome

Awesome spot to live. Welcome..

Welcome. Good looking boat.