papajoe222

My worst was a non-boater I drew in a tournament. All day long he kept casting forward of the bow, the majority of the time over my line. When I lost a fish because he'd done it again, I mentioned to him that I was leaving plenty of targets for him and to kindly stop doing it. He said he was tired of guys 'front ending' him as he put it and I assured him I wouldn't. Thirty minutes later he was at it again, so I just started waiting for him to cast and then proceeded to cast over his line. I already had my limit. What goes around, comes around and just after I'd cast over his line for the fifth or sixth time, he hooked a nice fish. He didn't loose it, but he was not happy. I let him run the TM for the last two hours and started culling fishing behind him. He never got his limit. There's a lot to be said for Karma

It'd be a tough decision between a worm and a jig/pig. I'd be happy with either.

If I catch a couple stroking a jig deep, I'll switch up to either a Diamond Shad (I wish they still produced them) or a Red Eye and work it the same way. They really suck it in then. Otherwise, it's a spring and fall bait for me.

A lot depends on how you fish. From shore? In a boat? Standing? Sitting? How tall are you?

I use them, but retrieve them more like a crankbait than a jerkbait with an occasional twitch. Spoonbills are for trolling and I rarely use them for bass fishing.

Heddon, Zoom, Norman, Stanley, Northland and a friend that hand pours drop shot worms for me.

My regular carry is a 19, but for summertime carry (T-shirt and shorts) I go with a 43. Depending on my activity level for the day it's in either a belly band worn in any number of positions, or an IWB Kydex. I was surprised how well it hides under a T-shirt without printing.

With me, it was a bunch of guys that wrote for Fishing Facts magazine back in the day. Them, Buck Perry and some contributions by the Linder brothers.

For me, it's more; When don't you fish tubes. I have been on a tube 'kick' for the past four or five seasons. They have replaced the majority of soft plastics that I was using. Versatility and action are the main reasons I use them. Even when rigging them with external weights, drop-shot, C-rig, T-rig, or weightless, there is plenty of action from the tentacles. Rig it with an internal weight and it falls like no other. About the only times I use another soft plastic are when the water is murky, or at night when I want a bait to move a lot of water when working it and for a jig trailer.

IL, IN, MI, WI, MN, OH, NY, KY, TN, GA, AL, FL, TX, MO, AK, VA, NC. I likely forgot one

Conditions were almost perfect for a great outing today, so I was on the water at sun up. Four hours later I had zip to show for getting up and out early, but I kept at it. I'd built a couple of new rods over the off season and was really giving one of them a good work out with a SwitchBackShad on a flat just off the beach area on my home lake. About the time it started digging bottom, it just stopped like I'd buried it into a thick stand of weeds. Next thing I know, the rod is literally bent in half and my line is screaming off the reel. Five minutes later I netted a catfish that went 30in. and had to be at least 15lb. New best for a cat and that M/MF blank proved to me to be worth every penny I paid for it.

Heat, whether from sitting in a hot car, or on the deck, is going to have that affect on most soft plastics. The good news is that they will regain their original density as they cool. The bad news is they can take on a shape other than the original, so try not to store them bunched up. You could try wrapping the bags, or boxes in a cool wet towel and keep them in your trunk. A cheap styrafoam cooler with a couple of cold packs is another inexpensive option.

With me, it's lipless cranks for spring and fall. I can't seem to buy a strike on one during the summer. Although I will use a jerkbait during the summer with some success (mostly floaters), they, too produce best for me in the spring and fall. And it goes without much debate (I would guess), hollow body frogs are a summer presentation.

On my last order of Norman baits, only one of the four was from Quatemala. The other tree were made in the USA. Get them before they're gone guys and gals.

I don't believe I ever caught that many on consecutive casts, but I have found a few schools of fish where I've caught ten fish in 15-20 casts. Glad you could help the owner out and have fun in the process. Did you relocate the fish you caught?

Oh, if that were the only memory problem I run across when fishing. With a rod in my hand, I forget 90% of everything I've ever learned about bass fishing. This normally only lasts three to four hours and I'm able to partially regain some. Then I'll hook into a decent fish and total memory block sets in. So my advice to you is; Don't sweat it. One of the reasons we fish is to forget.

My favorite river bait was a Lindy Fuzee Grub. Not too expensive and they really produced some nice fish despite their small profile. Don't rule out a tube jig either. They're a little difficult to feel the bottom with, but the action they give off when sitting still in the current is hard to beat.

Try to determine what baits you will likely throw before heading to the water. Put them and whatever terminal tackle you think you may need it a gallon ZipLock. Grab whatever rod will handle those baits along with your jig rod and a handful of jigs and go for it. Worst case scenario, you figured wrong. Put that rod down and start tossing the jig .

I really don't think anyone that purchases a custom built rod feels that the rod will make them a better angler. They may feel they will be able to detect bites better, exert less effort, or it will reduce fatigue. What most of the guys are looking for in a custom built rod is a rod that is unique to them. Whether it's the specific action, length, cosmetics, type or make of the handle and grip.........they are the ones that decide exactly what they want and don't want.

As A-Jay mentioned, your body needs to get used to the increased activity levels. Until it does, I recommend taking fish oil pills and a couple of ibuprofen prior to heading out. Fish oil helps reduce binding of different muscles against each other.

Nope and don't really care to know. I just know, as with buzzbaits, sometimes it makes a difference. If I were to venture a guess it would likely have something to do with the surface tension of the water.

Welcome to BR. I'd love to help you out a bit, but I'm not from the area. Try moving your topic to the local fishing forum. More folks from your neck of the woods may see it and most here are willing to help a fellow angler.

It's really a combination of both IMO. If I'm looking to get their attention with flash, or when there's less wind, I go to a hammered blade. When I need more vibration, I go to a Colorado or Indiana blade

What type of weeds? A punch rig works well on weeds with stems that 'blossom' nearer the surface and a drop shot can be worked in many grass type weeds. Spinnerbaits and cabbage are a deadly combo. Unsure? A Texas rigged straight tail worm with a pegged sinker is a good place to start.

Original floater 7 or 9 gold/black back or silver/black back