Wayne P.

Yes, Triton_Mike. I bought 8 of them and then purchased one of the Harmonix rods they sell with one installed. Great product from Diane and Steve.

"Nice and white" is healthy. Darkened skin from sun exposure is the recipe for skin cancer. Been there, done that= quartely visits to a dermatologist.

Fishing-fool, it seems your statement is pure HOGWASH.

I can't find a listing of a model 897, are you talking about the 987si? If you are, then you have the wrong application for best results. The transducer needs to be placed on a non rotating surface to prevent distortion of the image in the scanning mode. Check this site for everything you need to know about it's capabilities. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sideimaging/

If you have not had any claims before, your insurance should not increase.

For your part of the country, a chartreuse skirt with a white and a chartreuse willow will get those smallmouths. Booyah and Terminator has that combination as a stock color. If you can find any with both blades in chartreuse it would be even better.

Solving the braid/rock problem. It's so easy you'll say "why didn't I think of that". Get some small diameter rubber hose, cut a piece about 1/4" in length, slide it on the main line before putting on the sinker and tie as usual. The rubber will keep the area of the line at the sinker from contacting the rocks or other abrasive substances and as a side benefit, it will reduce hangups in the rocks due to it's flexibility.

I recommend the Lowrance H2O or H2Oc as they have a built-in map and have a card slot to add mapping software when you are comfortable enough to upgrade to more detail. Lowrance has some lake maps available for free on their site. They are so easy to use: "Even a cave man can do it."

I find a solid pattern about 95% of the time in 1 to 3 hours. Statics for 2006 Total of 2,320 bass Total of 27 different bodies of water Total of 118 fishing days 4#> 10 5#> 15 6#> 4 7#> 3 9#> 1 10#> 1

I use the uni-knot of all connections with fluorocarbon, never have a problem. My favorite braid is Stren Super Braid.

Weedless Wacky with an Octopus hook.

I got a couple of the original ones. They are filed in my "Gotcha" file with Flying Lures and Helicopter Lures.

I have the H2O non color unit. I use it with the Navionics HotMaps Premium software and also the free download maps at the Lowrance site (has a good one of Lake Fork). I also use it a little for on-road navigation using the built in map. From my research, it is easier to use than other brands of handhelds. The main concern should be if the lakes you want are available with any software version.

I use braid with fluorocarbon for 90% of my fishing. I use the uni-uni knot connection with 6 turns on both lines. The line sizes I use are 20# and 30# braid with 20# fluourcarbon for all waters (super clear to muddy). Never had a knot slip or break when fighting any fish. I just tie it S-L-O-W-L-Y and lubricated, I trim the tag ends flush and the knot passes through the smalles of rod tip guides.

A friend of mine did this article about the way I do it most of the time. Additionally I use the same set up when open hook rigging when not around objects. http://mysite.verizon.net/restmvit/wacky.html

I don't put the hook through the Toad body except at the head. I just put the bend of the hook between the legs and then skin hook the point on the top. That eliminates the bulky body from filling up the hook bend. The Toad usually moves out of the hook bend on the hook set for a more secure penetration.

T-rig, I agree with you, must have gotten a mislabled package. I got them at Bass Pro Shops in Charlotte, N.C.

T-Rig, that is the correct hook. The pack I got had 11/0 printed on it.

Rad Lures CHATTERBAIT

FISHINGDUDE, the bottom hook is a 11/0 hook that I bought for using big Senkos. I threw away the package and don't remember the brand. It's too long for the Horny Toad and was a comparison shot for another conversation about hook sizes. The top hook is the G-Mag Oversize hook.

Rigging and hooks"

After reading this thread, I sent the Va. Game Commission an e-mail asking about using game fish for bait. The following is the reply I recieved: "As long as you catch your bait via a legal method (on a hook and line) and abide by the respective creel limits, it is legal to use a game fish as bait. Since nets and seines are prohibited in the taking of any gamefish, it might be a little difficult to catch bass fry on a hook and line (you would still be restricted to creel and size limits on bass anyway, including the fry). The bluegill would be the most logical bet."

To get the maximum vibration, use braided line. This was suggested by Rick Morris during last year's Bassmasters Classic. 50# braid should solve your problem assuming you tie a good knot.

These two were made for smallmouth fishing in clear lakes. The black one has the more streamlined swivel head connection. It has a plastic collar covering the joint to keep weeds out of the connection.

Additionally he makes a spinnerbait version. Those jointed baits are popular with a group of guys on another website, especially those that fish Lake Fork.