The Bassman

These ponds are on the west side of Carmel. My work introduces me to a lot of suburbanites.

Got a big one this morning but left my scale at home. I carry my gear in my pockets during warm weather so the scale frequently gets left behind. This one seemed at least the equal to a 7.2 I caught in July. Tiny Sub Wart 04 did the trick.

I've started using a black sharpie on the last few feet of my line. As far as noise goes I'm gradually switching over to P-Line TCB 8. It's quieter than any other braid I've used. Almost compares to Gliss but way more durable.

If you hold them closer to your phone they'll weigh more.

Wal-Mart's fine. More technique specific stuff will come later. Enjoy the journey.

I've had the privilege of helping newbies get started. Doesn't take long for them to start outfishing me. Best of luck.

I can see where it would be very strong. The problem would be getting a doubled line through a small ned hook eye. One strand of soft skinny braid at a time is hard enough for me with the FF. I've been using P-Line TCB 8 lately and it stays pretty straight when you're working with it. Really quiet, too.

Best knot of the bunch especially if fishing straight braid. Very little tag waste. I can get it close enough that I don't even have to trim the tag. I use seven turns on light braid, six on anything over .20 mm. I've never had a knot fail.

I tried the smooth 8 a few years ago just because it was pretty cheap. It was actually decent line. Kind of reminded me of the old fusion but without the separation issues. One thing that did impress me was that the labeling seemed honest about the line's diameter.

Your pic tells me that your pond could stand some harvest. Too many fish?

I've caught bass with worm hooks in their gut more than once. I was able to remove them with the gill method. The biggest concern of mine is gill hooking when fishing treble hook baits. I go barbless so it's easy to remove them.

Porgy & Bass. Wasn't that a Broadway play?

That's my tackle bag, too. Have to remember to lay wet baits out when I get home. Elaztech is a real rust magnet.

Study ned rig fishing (the right way with very light jigs). You will catch fish.

Told this one a while back. I was reassuring a homeowner that her great dane and I got along just fine as I proceeded to walk right into the pond.

Sounds like a good combo for some power spin fishing. I'm trying to figure out who has a 3500 reel.

On the ponds I fish a 1/20 shroom works better than a 1/15. Small things make a big difference.

Some insight from a bank fisherman's perspective. I've seen times I could look a bass squarely in the eye and feed him a lure but other times spook before I was even close. Keeps the sport interesting.

One reason I fish alone so no one else has to.

Every Stradic (plus other Shimanos) I've owned make a slight scuff sound when they're spun fast. Never notice it when I'm fishing. Should be returnable if it's loud like you said. Even quality stuff is mass produced and kicks out a lemon so often.

I spin fish 75% of the time and have learned to watch for errant loops under several wraps of line. Also, I have to be careful of line laying across my spool lip that results from manually closing the bail with my index finger and retrieving in one motion. That said, "it happens" every so often especially in a head wind. That's where I focus my efforts most of the time.

I'm still trying to reconcile in my mind after many years if color is all that important. I have to believe that I do well with certain colors because I like them and fish them more.

Big boys always want more toys.

A side arm caster like me gets bit by tall grass and weeds. You tend to develop a very fast thumb.

And then another and another...................