jdw174

I kinda like contrasting colors....black/blue, brown/black, grn/black

1. Trim engine down until you hear "THUMP". Engine is now ready to blast off 2. Immediately upon flooring the "go-pedal", start the trim up. 3. Watch tach. Hint: If you're shooting a "roostertail" higher than the top of your engine cowling, you overtrimmed it. 8-)

My only saving grace in owning two of those Brownings is that they were purchased from Dick's during a closeout sale while I was a manager there. Between the closeout price and my discount I got both of them dirt cheap . I think next year I'm going to replace both of them with a couple of Abu C4 4600's.

And that's exactly why I mentioned them earlier. When the TD rods originally came out, they were sold as spinnerbait models, worm, flippin' etc. I never saw one that didn't fit the lure it was described as being for, and in some cases would work well with more than one type. One of these days when i hit the lottery, I'm gonna order up about a dozen of them and replace all my main rods

Pork rind comes in various shapes and sizes. Most of the pork trailers made today comes from Uncle Josh. www.unclejosh.com Trailers add bulk to the jigs, help slow the fall, and in most shapes, help mimic the claw end of a crawfish. Zoom is a favorite in plastic, although since I discovered Squealers brand that's all I use in plastic trailers. I can't believe that a Gander Mountain store didn't carry any Uncle Josh pork rind. If you have a WalMart around you check the fishing dept there, or you can order direct from Uncle Josh, but you pay a little more going direct.

BPS used to sell a product called "Tommy Tape". I wrapped my spinning rods and a couple of foam-gripped casting rods that I'd worn totally smooth. Worked very nicely.

There is an exception to every rule, and my exception is the Team Daiwa rods. I'd order those without thinking twice, but that's just me

You're in the market for a rod. You start going through the catalogs and see a half-dozen you THINK look good. However, knowing that one maker's medium is another's MH action, which one do you buy? My SOP here is, if I can't actually SEE and HANDLE it, I won't buy it. What do YOU do?

Browning still makes reels, but trying to find any info about them on the Browning website is pretty sketchy. Clicking on Browning Fishing takes you to the Bass Pro Shop website. The "Iron" was a simple, low-end round reel. Mine has worked now for almost 11 years with no trouble.

started with an older Quantum "Iron" IR4. No problems. Used Ronsonol on the bearings and used Simple Green to degrease and clean the other filthy parts : Keep in mind, this reel was 39.99 when purchased. The next one was a Browning Midas 6. When I started on it, something looked awfully familiar. It looked an awful lot like the Quantum I just finished. Opened it up and guess what??? They are the exact same reel! Only difference was a small bearing added to support the spool. Cost of this reel at retail was 89.95. I'd bet the farm that all the other parts are interchangeable. According to the booklet, Browning Fishing was HQ'd in Tulsa, OK........just like Quantum. How about that, sports fans?

The same line I use for everything else........SilverThread co-polymer

My worst miss? This is actually embarassing to tell, but............ I was fishing Presque Isle Bay on Lake Erie, tossing a C-rig in about 8' of water at the edge of a weedbed. I had a THUMP that had to be felt to be believed, and the rod nearly bent double. I got a look at that fish....an absolutely HUGE smallmouth. (I've caught tons of smallies, and I estimate the weight of this one at 7lb or better!!!) I worked her up to the boat (still fighting me all the way), and when I got her boatside, instead of putting the fish in the boat I had a major brain fart and held the rod tip up WHILE ROOTING IN THE LOCKER FOR THE SCALE!!!!! :-? Found the scale, reached for the fish and she just opened her mouth and the hook shot right back at me No fish, no trophy. Just me feeling more stupid than you can believe.....

Without breaking the bank, here's my picks: TOPWATER: Zara Spook, Spittin' Image, Pop-R, and on my lakes you gotta have at least a couple Bang-O-Lures w/tailspinner. JERKBAITS: Rogues, Long-A's (suspending and regular), Redfin's, and X-Raps. SHALLOW CRANKS: Bandit Foot-Loose, Bandit 100's, Norman Mad-N's, Mann's Baby-1 and Baby-4 Minus. MEDIUM RUNNERS: Berkley Frenzy, Bill Norman's, Bomber's DEEP RUNNERS: DD-22's, DD-14's, Excalibur's LIPLESS CRANKS: Cordell Spots 1/2oz

I see I'm a day late here, but ............. :-? After looking at the map, I'd concentrate on the steeper banks on the opposite side of the lake from the ramp to begin with. I'd zig-zag looking for stumps, rockpiles on the face of those drops. You might work a jig thru the wood you mentioned to the right of the ramp. If the weather has warmed things up a bit, perhaps even a crankbait through those branches.

Gammakatsu, Owner, Daichi all make good, sharp hooks. On cb's, I personally favor Excalibur trebles.

Not necessarily a totally vertical presentation. It can be cast out and retrieved just like a T-rig if you want. That said, a near-vertical presentation is, IMO, optimum for a dropshot rig. I like working them down points or drops, stopping each time I move it to shake it around a bit.

Listen to Jim. The 4600 is one of the best workhorse reels you'll find anywhere for under $100.

Take a look at an AllStar SRMHTN. I use one for just what you described, also for vertical jigging silver buddies. The TN designates a Tennessee handle, but they also make it with a reel seat if that's your bag.

If you haven't tried Bass Stalker Jigs you ought to give them a shot. A flat, aspirin shaped head that is "dimpled in the center on both sides (original model). His finesse jigs are outstanding. He is now distributed through Uncle Josh. Also check out his jigheads for shakey worms. www.bassstalker.com

Uh, Hale? Wouldn't you want to turn the trailing edge of that tab to the left? I would think that would put the force of the water on that side of the engine forcing the bow in the same direction?

That's the one!! Wobble it over weeds/slop until it comes to an opening, then kill it and let it flutter down.

Once the water hits 50, it's time to consider some topwater.

KVD all the way....followed closely by Denny Brauer.

At one time some years back, I was doing some "repping" for AllStar in western Pa. I purchased several rods that I still use today...with one exception. I snapped a Stanley Jig SJ2 model clean in half on a hookset. Now this was in the days when they were SUPPOSED to have a good warranty one them. When i called the company I was told that they'd replace it for $50! > The only one I'd consider replacing with another is my Zell Rowland TWS. One of the best rods I've ever used for topwater and small cb's.

If only I could Tried it once but just never could feel comfortable with it. I have no trouble with spinning tackle but baitcasting?.....I still cast right and crank right.