Wayne P.

huskertko, I start with around 4' and replace it after retying a few times when it gets to about 2'. I use the fluorocarbon leader only to make the braid sink for weightless plastics presentations. I use 14# fluorocarbon leader with 20# braid and 20# fluorocarbon leader with 30# braid.

The technology is called "Side Imaging". This site will explain all you want to know----http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/photos/view/c3cf?b=38

You are mis-stating the numbers. With mono lines, they are rated by breaking strength in pounds and diameter in .000 or mm. Example 20 pound test has a diameter of .018 inches or .460 mm. Braids are usually rated in breaking strengh and diameter compared to mono. Example 30 pound test has a comparable diameter to 8 pound test mono which is usually .011 inches. Simplified, small pound test lines for small fish and large pound test for large fish. There are lots of variables involved depending on the presentations and conditions.

Of equal if not more importance, there needs to be a bill passed that would prevent the Governor for steeling funds from the Game Commission to put in the general fund. That would keep the money for licenses and taxes where it was designated to be spent. Gov. Wilder did the same thing and gutted the plan to add more enforcement officers as a result of an increase of fishing/hunting licenses. If the funds were protected, then the SML bill would not be necessary and the manpower would already be in place.

mattman, nope. It was on a newly opened to fishing lake and was the first day I fished it. I returned six days later and caught 146 bass. It was not remarkable as others duplicated it for the first couple of weeks. Gotta love fishing for those uneducated bass. I used up 4 1/2 packages of finesse worms that first day.

I have been keeping fishing records since the mid 1970's. For 2007, I averaged 32.94 bass per outing. My lowest for a day was 1 and my highest for a day was 176. I consider 25+ day a good one. I don't tournament fish anymore so size does not matter. I'd rather spend the day catching fish than just fishing. I don't keep records for other species.

Most pros recommend that the Chatterbait be fished using braided line for maximum vibration. Also one of the selling points by the original designer was it's snag resistance while being pulled over limbs and that was due to the blade being directly attached to the jig. Most, if not all, copies have a split ring between the two parts and that results in more hangups. I still have some of the originals that I got from the inventor and they are of better quality components than the recent mfg. ones. I just resisted selling mine when the panic buying was going on and were being sold for $50+. I did give some away to a few people that "needed" one for an upcoming tournament in Fla. during that period. All those type of baits work well in cooler water temps early in the year when fished over submerged vegetation since they can be fished at a slower pace than a spinnerbait or Trap. The Booyah model has a snap-on feature for the blade to jig head connection and I wouldn't trust it in a tournament situation.

No matter how you close the bail, it has no effect on line twist. That is a result of either the bait spinning during the cast and/or retrieve or because the line changes direction by 90 degrees from the rod to the spool. Braid twists just a much as mono using the same presentations. It just not as noticeable due to it's limpness. Yes, you also need to have some tension on the line before reeling regardless of line type to minimize the loose line on the spool.

The use of the Chatterbait almost won the Bassmasters Classic last year. Before they were copied, it was one of the most sought after baits in recent history due to it's effectiveness in early year tournaments in Florida. Does that give you a hint?

When you use the handle to rotate the bail closed, the bail slapping the line when it snaps closed is when the dreaded loops occur.

I was there most of the day with one of the vendors. I'll be back Sunday all day. It's somewhat better than the Bassarama was last year. The main seminars are in building three along with the big fish tank. It may take a while for that show to get to the vendor attendance numbers that the Bassarama was noted for years ago. Stop by the OCHS booth and say HELLO, buy a raffle ticket too.

Another in-dash flasher alternative: http://www.vexilar.com/pages/products/products_fl-10.html

There is no such thing. If you only use one line in one rating, you will compromise some of the effectiveness of some of those baits.

Same hook used exposed point and weedless.

I have 54 rod/reel combos and usually carry 15-20 when fishing in my bassboat. I usually only carry 7-10 when I fish in my jon boat. I switch around some based on the time of year.

I just revisited this thread and noticed the comment by 7magJake. FYI , it has produced a lot of bass including trophy size ones on Lake Fork for some guides and their clients. It's just another tool, when used for the proper application, that will produce results.

The original Bagley's had a brass wire in the body that made up the hook hanger and the line tie. The diving lip was glued in and was as wide as the body and visible along the side of the body. I've got several of the originals. The later made ones have the steel eyelets for the hooks and line tie. My all time favorite size was the Diving Killer B 1. I still use some occasionally.

None of those. PM sent.

I have the 5.3 liter in a GMC with 3.73 axles. I get between 11 and 13 mpg when towing my bassboat and 17-18.5 mpg at interstate speeds not towing. I get 19-20 mpg not towing at rural highway speeds of around 55 mph.

Avid, braid does twist just as much as mono using the same presentations. It's the limpness of the braid that eliminates the problems associated with mono and line twist.

Thanks, I've been using a larger size with good results. I'll give those a try.

The Storm Wild Eye Shiner is used quite successfully on deep fish at Lake Fork.

I have a 1236 jonboat and use a 15# mushroom anchor. With a 10# mushroom anchor I had to let enough rope out for the anchor to be pulled over on it's side to hold the boat in 15 mph+ winds. With the 15# I can usually let it straight down and it will hold most of the time. I use the floating hollow braided polypropylene rope in 3/16.

SteveF, I agree with you about that observation.

For smaller diameter baits than the Senko type, this rigging is the strongest and less visible to the fish.