Manly Studson

This has helped me too. LMB seem to give up more easily in my experience. So I can use fast action rods more easily. But SMB breach more often, and slower action or lighter powered rods do well. But I don’t mind it when fish breach. It makes the catch more enjoyable and memorable.

While kayaking a small creek, I looked up as a deer jumped right over me from one side of the bank to the other. I could here the sound of wind as it flew through the air. Close call.

Such a nice reel to put on a cheap rod. I know money doesn’t grow on trees, but if it ever does, a Lew’s TP1 Black is a fine rod for $129.

Many times: during grad school, my kids’ baby years, when I worked graveyard shift, wife had brain surgery.... Sometimes for intense, brief periods hardship and responsibility encroach on a man’s hobbies. But we deal with it.

Great question. I was wondering the same thing, except I was looking at the Curado DC and the Curado K. I purchased both of them, and I will say that the DC is more forgiving. I’m not great at using casting reels, but I enjoy using them. I know the SLX DC and the Curado DC are not the same, but the DC technology has made a difference for this challenged anger. For me the difference is that I can use the DC reel in difficult conditions, especially on windy days. But the Curado K is excellent. I am glad that I bought it too.

Pardon the hyperbole. The K was easy to flip with. The DC went into the neighbor’s yard with just a flick. I’ll try a comparable Daiwa sometime. I don’t spend too much on reels. But I see the advantage from what I had been using.

I purchased a Curado DC reel and a Curado K reel today. Both are great. The ancient Romans reckoned time from the founding of their city: 753 BC. Christians and the West in general reckon time since the birth of Christ. My calendar just changed. There’s before DC and K, then after. Things are different now.

Short Keitech Easy Shiners on an 1/8 oz. round ball jig head work well on my ML spinning rod. Lures in 3-4 inch lengths are good.

VMC Weedless Neko Hook size 2.

Will do. Thank you.

Does anyone know if the G Loomis classic casting rods—the six foot rods—are still in production? I see them listed on the Loomis website, but when I select it, I get no results.

Good question. I had the same problem. I purchased minnows to fish in the South Georgia heat. The minnows were in very cool water at the bait shop. They didn’t live long in the warm water. I don’t use live bait often, so answers to your question are appreciated here too.

Making fish look massive in photos is fun. For me, you needn’t report an accurate weight. Just say, “It was around 5 or 6 pounds.” Just guess so that you’re not lying. Fishing lore and such stories are fun. Although I don’t believe in Bigfoot, it is more fun to believe in him than not to. Keep “offending” A-Jay.

I believe that I‘ve caught the same fish before. I know my son caught a fish that had taken my lure a week earlier.

I prefer moving water—not sure why. So creeks and rivers call to me. SMB are the primary target. Still, my PB LMB came out of a creek known for SMB. I’d rather catch many SMB and an occasional LMB than the other way around. Spotted bass show up too.

Medium light spinning rod with 1/16 oz micro jig and craw trailer.

I agree. Good little lure.

All of it affects sensitivity—guides, reel seat, and reel. Once a reel is attached to a rod, it becomes a part of the rod just like the guides.

I know a spot where there is a warm water discharge from a water treatment facility, and you can catch fish in the snow. It’s near the interstate—not peaceful at all—but it works when you’re desperate for tight lines.

It’s not for lack of trying. I just get skunked more often than not in March. I’ve concluded that my season in my waters are best spent on crappie and trout at that time. No, actually—at least not that early in the season. Good suggestion.

No.

If the spring rain isn’t incessant, I fish for bass in April. Otherwise I’ll start in May. I’ll fish for crappie and trout in March, but they are not the most successful outings. I sometimes visit in-laws in the Deep South in December. I can catch bass on top water frogs around Christmas.

When I replaced a Daiwa LT reel with an aluminum Stradic FL on the same rod, the sensitivity of the rod was improved. A good reel can bring out the best side of a rod.

LiveTarget Hollow Body Frog 1/4 oz.

Missile Baits Ike’s Micro Jig, 1/8 oz, dill pickle color, with Netbait Tiny Paca Chunk in green pumpkin. Senkos are always good, but the big bass were caught with jigs.