Tackleholic

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.

From experience, skirt strands pull out and eventually the rubber band breaks down. In the past I have tied fluorocarbon over the rubber bands.

I have not looked at Jackall yet; every other brand shows rubber bands, which to me means questionable quality.

Dr. said due to my age I will die of old age before prostate cancer would kill me; no more PSA tests are necessary.

Has anyone experienced the turnaround time for DVT's reel cleaning service?

Sieberts does not show buzzbaits on their site; already sent them an inquiry. I like their wire tied skirts on other products.

10#; zero problems yet with abrasion. My lake is hard (rock) bottom and overrun with buckbrush. .012 diameter vs. Tatsu fluoro. at .10.

I've been looking for good quality 1/8 oz. buzzbaits, nothing with cheap skirts held on with rubber bands. Any recommendations?

Less stretch and memory; softer, smoother casting, more distance.

For many years I tried to like mono but was never really satisfied with any of the many brands I used; until recently. I purchased a spool of Suffix Advance, the most expensive mono I've ever used; wow, what a winner! Definitely worth the cost.

Look into Crappie rods, also Salmon and Steelhead rods.

Some of the better waders do have a fly, well worth the upgrade price.

In water that shallow you might try going with a weightless presentation; just my opinion.

Waiting for my Tat 80 from them right now; had not heard of Shelton's before running across them while searching for that very reel on line two days ago. I'm much more than 45 minutes away.

Some boats. I bought one of the first group of Vexus VX21's and loaded it with everything available at the time, figuring that at my age it would probably be the last boat I'll ever buy. The price of a duplicate has since skyrocketed and I don't know if I'm sad or glad to know what someone else will one day pay for my used boat; I still love it, and would not switch for anything else.

So will I, but I may procrastinate awhile and hope to find a sale.

I'm with you all the way for Loomis rods; big fan.

Lately, my favorite U.S. distributors seem to have more out of stocks than before, but I still found a G Loomis rod and Daiwa reel for much less than I expected.

That is a good case for having a trolling motor with remote control; if one keeps the remote on his/her person.

I throw a lot of $25ish baits, but only where I can see bottom and reach it with my lure retriever. No guts.

I'm primarily a top and shallow water guy; my lake is almost always pretty clear. About 3 weeks ago the water began turning a dirty green, and visibility which is usually 20 feet is now 2 feet and getting worse. Each time out I keep changing colors, rattles or not, walkers, poppers, or props. Fish are still here and they gotta' eat, but the bite has become tough. Some of you fish these conditions regularly and I'm curious how you deal with it. Thanks.