Tackleholic

I was raised in the catch-em, scale-em, fry-em era; today I'm 100% catch and release, regardless of species. It takes a long time to grow a big one, especially smallmouth, my most adored fish. Sometimes I may catch a Walleye and think about dinner, but back in the water it will go. When I come in for the day I'm usually pretty beat-up anyway, and the thought of carving fillets does not appeal to me.

I'd like to have a dollar for each red and white Bass Oreno that was sold.

Seems like I lose a couple of Megabass 110 jerkbaits each year. This past spring a friend kicked a $400 Loomis spinning rod of mine overboard with a $250 Daiwa reel attached. The lake then proceeded to rise 30 feet. I persisted, and found them when the water receded, 6 months later. The reel could not be salvaged, but I restored the rod as good as new.

Sending the reels to a pro for cleaning and repair would seem like a less complicated and possibly less costly choice; definitely safer.

I have 26 left hand Daiwa baitcasters and have never "noticed" a problem with the clutch. However, this discussion has stirred my OCD; going forward I will suspiciously be looking for a reason to blame the clutch each time I backlash.

I've tried multiple methods, but none work really well. I'm curious how others do it.

Dawn soap and water on a washcloth for the blank and guides; rinse off with a clean washcloth. When dry, wipe down with Real Magic. Mr Clean Magic Eraser Pad on the cork, rinse off with a clean washcloth. When dry, brush on U-40 if needed.

With you on the Egg, a genuine surprise.

My boat stays in a covered slip at the marina for 11 months of the year. In January I pull it out, remove 100% of everything and anything. I then tow it to my dealer for service, repairs, and a complete detailing job. From there I take it home and load it up again with only the bare essentials (ha-ha). Finally, I return the boat to it's slip at the marina where it remains in place until about March, during which time the birds, mud daubers, and spiders all leave their marks on my freshly detailed and spotless boat, followed by a thick coating of pollen. I carry a load of "whatevers" to and from each time I go out, using a beach cart when there's more than usual.

Try a white spinnerbait with 4 nickel blades and a Yum 3" FF Sonar Minnow for a trailer.

Zoom ZCraw Jr. color 420 California, on an unnamed 1/4 oz. dark red football jighead w/ a #1/0 sickle hook. Caught LM, SM, Spots, and Walleye, first time out.

I've fished Super Flukes for a long time, always weightless, mostly Texas rigged with a 4/0 or 5/0 red EWG hook. Occasionally I will switch to nose hooking with a red Mosquito hook. I have tried the same methods with the 4" Jerk ShadZ, which has more buoyancy. The Fluke has very good action, while the Jerk Shad does not, it is too stiff.

How long is your Nitro; about 40 feet?

I use both; much prefer silicone, and not just on jigs.

Experienced grown men seldom heed well intended advice. It could be it on the dock, in the gym, or just about anywhere else, on any subject. It's usually an ego thing or long established habits and beliefs.

Thankyou! I have 6 Zillions and only 1 makes the clicking sound when drag is pulled. I did not know that some have a built in drag clicker.

I have them in most sizes; I use a light mono. line with a loop knot and work them like a jerk bait.

You've boosted my memory; the Hawaiian Wiggler was a favorite for bass, muskie, and pike. Some Bass Resource members probably still have them in their grandfather's rusty tacklebox.

The Heddon Sonic was the first Rattletrap type lure I remember fishing, that was in the late 1950's. Lure selections were only a micro selection of what we have today; in the 40's and 50's we used River Runts, Creek Chub Pikies, Jitterbugs, Hula Poppers, and my favorite, the Tin Liz. I still run into occasional situations which cause me to wish I had a Tin Liz tied on. As a kid, I remember winning a Big Bass competition on a frog pattern wooden Jitterbug, with two tiny minnows attached to the rear treble. Huge smallmouth!

Take a look at Daiwa's PX series rods and reels; I did a lot of research before choosing mine and I sure love them.

Bass are my objects of affection, I'm 100% catch and release. I agree with Choporoz; the guy wanted to brag, not show proof.

I've never been on Toledo Bend but I've heard others say the water is usually rougher than most lakes. I wonder if the schools may reconsider future tournaments.

I believe the first Whopper Plopper was a Muskie size lure. When anglers began regularly catching Bass on them, River to Sea began creating smaller size versions.

Call me a cheapskate, but this works best for me; I buy the fish cleaning gloves at Walmart and cut them off at the first knuckle on both hands, just the thumb and first two fingers. The gloves cost $3-$4 a pair and I keep 3 pair in my boat. I much prefer them over the $20 fishing gloves or anything else. FYI, these are the gray gloves with black rubber coated fingers and palms. I also know of people who wear latex surgical gloves; they don't provide insulation, but keep the hands dry, thus warmer.

While we're talking about rods, I just ran across an obvious scam. Company calls itself Iwellife, offering Loomis GCX782 and 783 for $105 less 20% with free shipping. I was just about to click on the TW site when I ran across it. I'm sure none of us regulars will bite, but newbies beware.