Mobasser

Our water temps have been steady for several days, slowly warming. Today, we're having a cold rain all day long. I'm sure the temps are dropping a little. That's how it always goes in springtime for us

I've never been brand loyal. My current favourites are Shimano and Lews

I'm still fishing two ABU 4600c round casting reels. Years ago, I replaced the handles on each with a "Gator Grip" casting handle. It was slightly larger, and seemed to make it easier and faster to grab the handle, when I switched hands after a cast. I like the handle grips on Shimano reels and my Qauntum baitcaster has a good grip also. I've noticed there are a lot of replacement handles on the market now. Do you have a favorite style? Flat, round, etc. Lots of options to choose from these days....

If you can, try to time your trip on an overcast day, with a slight chop on the water. Use a 3/8 or 1/2 oz spinnerbait, and try different depths and speeds. You'll learn quickly what spinnerbaits are all about. My personal favourite, next to a T rig plastic worm.

Spinnerbaits are one of the all time great bass lures.Versatile, and can work at all times of year.

If your set on using heavier mono line on your spinning reels, try this. Clip the line onto your spool, remove the spool and soak it in lukewarm water for 1 to 2hrs before you go fishing. You can soak it overnight if you want to. This makes stiffer mono lines loosen up, and handle better, especially if you've had your reel spoiled for a while.

Looks to be an H and H spinnerbait

Your correct. The Flip has a stronger hook. It may come in heavier sizes also.

I've caught quite a few bass on the Bitsy Bug jig over the years. This jig, and a Zoom critter craw trailer have worked well in early spring. Best color for us has been blk/blue, and some of the craw colors also. The Bitsy Flip jig has a stronger hook, and both have worked depending on what tackle we're fishing. Anyone else fishing this jig? What trailers are you using?

I've paired my tackle down but still seem to carry more than I ever use in a days fishing

I have tried flourocarbon but didn't care for the poor knot strength, and the kink it always seemed to have Catt, I am going to spool some braid this year for a frog setup I've put together, but that's it for me. Everything else I'll go with mono. I can't see what the big deal is with flourocarbon. I havnt tried that many brands, but the ones I tried acted the same. Poor knot retention, tends to jump off the spool, and kink up too. When I'm fishing I want to be casting, not fooling with my line. I never have these problems with monfilament

I still like and use mono line for all my fishing. Baitcast reels 12 to 15lb Trilene Big Game. Spin reels 6 to 8lb Stren or Trilene XL. I like the way it handles and cast. Any fish I've lost in almost 40yrs has been my own fault, not any fault of the mono line. I see no need to change now

A Jay those are some handsome dogs. They look like they're ready to answer to the " Call Of The Wild". I think it's also good that you guys can adopt them out. I always felt like people should be screened before they get a dog. All pups are cute, but, lots of people don't think about what size this dog may be when full grown. Most of the shelters are full of large breeds because of this. A large breed in an apartment or with nowhere to run and exercise is never good. People should pick a breed that best suits they're lifestyle, room.etc.

A Bassett hound. A friend had one when I was young. He was a great dog. He was never in a hurry. A big easy going guy That's Awesome A Jay. My wife is similiar. She seems to have that special touch, and the dogs always seem to trust her first. My grandpa told me when I was a kid, " don't trust a man who is mean to his dog. It says a lot about his character." I've always thought that was true

This last fall, we lost our Golden Lab we've had for 14yrs. Lady became sick and the vet couldn't do much to help her. I used to take her along on bank fishing trips with me. She used to get excited when I'd get my fishing rod, and run over and stand by the door, wagging her tail. When we'd get to the lake, she'd hang around for a few minutes then go exploring around the lake. She once jumped a deer in some woods across a small cove, and gave chase for a short time, but was smart enough to know she couldn't catch the deer. In hot weather, I'd bring a small plastic dish, and a jug of water. When she'd come back panting I'd poor her a cool drink. She just loved being out there. My wife was heartbroken when she passed away. She said she didn't want any more dogs, and said it was just too hard when they pass on. Three weeks later, she came home with a Jack Russel terrier. We've named her Ginger. She's a good dog. Smart and playful, and seems to learn very fast. I'm not sure about taking her on fishing trips just yet. She's a high strung girl, and I'm afraid she'd run a rabbit for miles if she could. Last fall, when I was bank fishing the same lake that I took lady to, a younger guy pulled up in a new truck. When he got out he walked around to the passenger side and out jumped a beautiful Irish setter. He knelt down and petted the dog, then started casting. His dog sat close by on the bank. I hope he has many good fishing trips with his dog, just like I had with Lady. My grandfather had bird dogs on his farm when I was a kid. Back then, Missouri had a good quail population, and he loved watching the dogs work the field and go on point. He treated those dogs like they were people. And they were good to him too. Dogs, if treated well, develop a trust and bond with their owners that is second to none. They're loyalty goes above and beyond the call. I'm sure I'll always have a dog for the rest of my days. They truly are " man's best friend".

I've kept two ABU 4600c reels working good for a long time. I think these may be easier to work on compared to newer reels. Now, I also have a Quantum and a Lews LFS. Both are low profile reels. They seem like they might be harder to work on

Yes, you can use craw baits that way, and they will work. An Arkie style jighead with a brush guard works well with craws and creature baits

Again, we can thank the media here. The way these things are watched and reported can scare people very badly.

I hate hearing about these things too. Very sad story

My wife would pick a car based on color too, no matter if it had problems or not

This coming Friday, my wife and I are driving to Huffman Texas. I havnt been to Texas in 15yrs. The last time we went, we made the drive to Dallas in about 9hrs. We visited my wife's sister and her husband and toured the JFK museum. This time we're picking up my granddaughter who has been going to school and working in Huffman. She's working on a degree in early childhood development, and has finished her classes, is homesick and ready to come back home. We plan on stopping in Tulsa to see the air museum( vintage and ww2 era planes) then continue down south from there. The highlight of this trip will be getting my granddaughter back home, and for me, driving to Galveston Island to see the ocean. I'm 62yrs old and have never seen the ocean! I guess I'm kind of a home boy from Missouri. Anyway, it should be a good but quick trip.

I recently read an article that stated that the pre shaped jig spinner predated the safety pin style spinnerbait by several years. I'm not sure on this, but I am sure that they work. These are inexpensive, and can be purchased at any good tackle shop, or your local Wal Mart. Brands we've used are Arkie, Eagle Claw, and the H and H jig spinners which are sold at Academy. Most of these work pretty good right out of the package, but can be improved with a ball bearing swivel. We like the swivels with a small duo lock snap attatched. This makes changing blade shapes and styles quick and easy. You can easily go from a colorado, willowleaf, or Indiana blade in seconds, in the field. Sometimes a different shape, color or style of blade can make a difference. We've had the best fishing with a #3 colorado blade, with plastics up to 5". Smaller blades - a smaller willowleaf, have worked well in more clear water. Any jigheads, with a hook sized for bass, can work well too. Last season, we used some 1/8 oz SK tour grade jigheads. Even though these are sold as a shakey head jig, with a forward angle line tie, they worked well with plastics up to 5" , and feature a good 3/0 hook also. But, the Arkie jig heads, which cost much less, work well too.Like any hook, sharpen them as needed. As for plastics? It's almost unlimited. We've used straight and curly tail grubs, the tail section of a worn out plastic worm, flukes, reapers, 4" plastic worms, and a 4" senko. These " jig spinners" are nothing new. They've been around for probably 50 yrs. There's a reason they've lasted that long. They work. They're an inexpensive way to add some flash, and vibration to a simple ball head jig. Anyone else like to attatch a jig spinner? What sizes do you like, and what plastics have you used with them?

Blakemore CC spinnerbait in 1/2 oz.

In another thread on rusty hooks, J Francho mentioned drilling holes through the lid, and bottom of your boxes. I drilled several 1/8" holes through my boxes that hold jigs, ball heads, hooks, or anything that's prone to rust. Let air circulate through them and it can help combat rust. It's worked for me so far

Channel Lock brand needle nose pliers. 6" or 8" inch. You can buy a sheath at any hardware or lumber yard that has tool belts. These last forever