mheichelbech

I use small snaps with my crankbaits. However the majority of the time I have used them had been in the Ohio River which is usually stained water at best. My partner doesn’t use them. Sometimes he catches more fish and sometimes I do. I feel like it allows the bait to “do its thing” more. Not sure in clear water or with jerkbaits where you are concerned about the attitude of the nose.

In Midwest lakes, what temps do you see the bass moving up from deep water to mid-depths to shallow, e.g, from 20 feet to 10 and from 10 to 5 or less?

I think that given his experience and expertise, not having won more tournaments the last few years shows you just how hard it is to win out there. I’d love to seen him do the MLF. One thing I noticed in watching him is that he always seemed to be teaching. I really appreciated that.

What I have seen a guy do is he had one foot on the dock leaning that way with most or all of his weight on that foot and the other foot is more or less hooked around the trolling motor. I don’t think it’s as difficult as you think. What I really don’t like about it is that it angers the dock owners. Some of them can be really sensitive to fishing around their docks and boats and I get it. I’ve seen a guy break off a crankbait on a dock and left it. I went and got it because I was afraid of a pet getting hooked. I’ve heard of guys hooking boat seats. These are probably the same guys that trespass while hunting. I just can’t stand that.

What are the bi differences between a Z185 vs a Z518?

I hate to say this but I have much greater respect for a Toyota (esp Tundra) than I do a Cadillac. I meant that as a compliment ie the best.

Takes good balance! I’ve seen it done.

I always wondered if this ever came up anywhere. The tournaments we fished in were one off deals or annual tournaments.

The rules I always saw said no exiting the boat except for emergencies. Never saw any clarification or definitions one way or the other. I didn’t know if this was common place or an issue anywhere else. I could see it being a problem in marinas.

My old tournament partner and I fished docks a lot. A lot of the time, casting behind the dock required stretching or leaning out of the boat. We always had both feet in the boat during tournaments however, we would observe other guys that really stretched the “be in the boat” rule. I’d see one foot on the dock and other foot just touching the trolling motor. Is such an action actually cheating, is not ethical or is it simply maximizing your leeway within the rules? Just curious. We never reported anyone but did grumble amongst ourselves about it. What are other rules that have such gray areas? Also wondering why you seldom or never see pros fishing behind docks much.

Thanks...that’s what I was looking to know about...what are those hard to see pitfalls.

This is the best looking bass boat I’ve ever seen!!

Seriously considering buying a boat again. I’ve had 3 so far all 14-17.5 feet. I’d like to get a bigger one, 19/20 feet. The models in the budget I have set seem to be in the 15-20 year age range. Rangers, Skeeters, Pro Craft type models are most popular in my area. In my experience, Rangers provide the best ride in rougher water. I feel like they are the “Toyota” of bass boats. My questions are: Is Yamaha longer lasting or cheaper to maintain and keep long living than a Mercury or Evinrude/Johnson? Some boats/engines I see have been essentially rebuilt, rebuilt motor, new carpet, upholstery, etc. Would it be better to have an older engine that’s been “rebuilt” or one that maybe doesn’t have a ton of hours or the owner says he never had any trouble, etc. What about trailers? How can you tell the condition of the axles? I had a friend who bought a boat and the hub or something had been welded back and it all broke and his wheel came off at the boat ramp (not a pretty sight!) Just curious about the main pitfalls of a boat that old. I’m aware that it’s important to know the overall condition and service history. Curious abou those pitfalls you never hear about until it happens to you. All advice/experience is greatly appreciated!

Thanks all! Yes my Stradic is about 15 years old I think and still doing strong all through I really don’t use a spinning reel that much either. I’ve started to use it more the last couple years just for a change of pace and trying more finesse methods. I didn’t know if better reels reduced line twist.

I’m wondering what the difference is between a $50,$100, and a $200 spinning reel are? I know about baitcasters but have a hard time seeing much difference between my Stradic and a $50 Lews reel I won. I get the difference is size of the reel but for all around performance I’m at a loss. Is it the drag system?

Hopefully not too far of a tangent but I wonder why you see the pros throwing Fluoro so much? Are they just selling? Are there specific applications, such as jerkbaits, where it is a lot better?

Unfortunately I do not. I have only ever used braid in my spinning reels. Where I fish mostly there just isn’t a huge need for braid. And to WRB, good point about diameter. And I have had good results with Big Game of all diameters/break tests. I also have used Seige and done well with that. Big Game has always been my “go to”. I just didn’t know if there was anything materially better.

Disregarding the need to overpower a fish and horse it out cover quickly, or line visibility to fish..... what is or are, the best line weights, type and brands for minimal backlash for pitching and skipping baits....jigs, tubes, worms, etc. ? I tried braid last year and while I did get fewer backlashes, the ones I got were very frustrating to impossible to get undone without cutting the line. I would consider myself to be a decent caster, pitcher and skipper and just wondering if there is anything better than what I am currently using which is Big Game line ranging between 14 - 20 lb test depending on where I am fishing. I just bought a Daiwa Zillion SV TWS and just looking to pair it with whatever would be the best line for avoiding backlashes while skipping and pitching. I have paired this with a G Loomis IMX 7'pitching rod MH. I actually like the Big Game but just wondering it I could improve much with something different. Thanks for any input!

I grew up in Jeffersonville and all my relatives are in Louisville. I know there are a lot of Heichelbechs in Dubois County but I don't know any of them. Wish I did! Any that own some acreage with deer anyhow...LOL!

Sorry for the delay in responding...I just saw this. I am in Southern Indiana. Not far from Louisville, KY.

Just saw Sensation at Tackle Warehouse. I didn't realize it was still in production as BP doesn't carry it anymore.