Tackleholic

Good for you A-Jay, you're to be admired. I first walked into a gym 40 years ago and immediately became addicted to pumping iron; very little desire for cardio. Today I am 81 years old and still hit the gym at 5:00 A.M. at least 5 or 6 days a week. The only negative is that it sometimes cuts into my time on the water. Gray Power still rocks.

I did it once. It was the first time I launched "after" a new regulation was put into effect that required drain plugs to be out when trailering a boat.

Married, have kids??

This past year I noticed Pros using them in tournaments, and others using them on my home lake. How effective are they and what is their range in water that is pretty clear? I'm thinking that if I'm sitting over a school of fish and cannot get a bite, it would be interesting to know the species.

I've been loyal to 15# Berkley 100% fluorocarbon for a long time, both for leaders and mainline. I recently bought a single spool of Sunline Sniper 16# to compare, but have not yet tried it. Can anyone tell me what to expect with the comparison?

I pulled away from them years ago. It seemed that tackle with their brand name usually had been cheapened in quality, one way or another. For example, the lures came with low grade hooks.

The Catalina is not generally familiar to the masses but I find it to be a great reel for many purposes; I always have one on board.

I live on one of those forementioned lakes you listed, and you are correct about being over run with tournaments. Not to mention one very large annual tournament by name, but after the pre-fishing and the actual tournament, there are dead bass floating everywhere. Anyone else experience this?

ZILLION SVTW and TATULA SVTW all the way. I have a boat full of them, and won't buy anything else. I used to be a Shimano guy.

Hollow body frogs. Began using them a year ago when the lake was about 30 feet high and into the woods. Lots of bites, few hooksets, a new learning experience.

I still have 63 degree water, but he would not let me leave my laptop. I may check with State Fish and Game to update myself on the legal times and methods for harvesting that critter.

Very thorough advice, but from experience I have one recommendation to add about dropping the tailgate. Watch out! When attempting a sharp turn while backing, be very careful your tailgate does make contact with the trailer, especially if you have steps on the front. New tailgates are expensive. Proofreading my suggestion, I meant to say "be very careful your tailgate does NOT make contact with the trailer". Sorry for the confusion.

Bass fishing with jigging spoons is an art, especially when a body of water is loaded with shad. I would like to create this topic to gather input from masters of this art with a proven track record. I believe they are in the minority of regular contributors.

I agree that 2-4 minutes is way too long, but here is an additional and proven fact : "a large fish may easily receive internal damage if it is held vertically only by the lower lip." Did you do that?

Arkansas has rules, I believe they are for ages 15 and under.

I wonder how many of the great old timers in competitive bass fishing have lost their standings to the young generation simply because they will never achieve their expertise with the new electronics. I also wonder how many talented young anglers are unable to move up because they cannot afford to financially keep up with the constant barrage of upgrades. Unfortunately, in my opinion, these trends will grow because of all the contributions and sponsorships provided by the companies who manufacture and market these products. I'm a 100% catch and release guy, and I had all the newest goodies put on my new Vexus when I bought it 3 years ago. Guess what?......six months later they were obsolete and I'm too dam_ stubborn to buy the upgrades. "I like that old time rock and roll". It's taking away the sport, turning it into a video game, an expensive one.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Pad; rinse with a cloth and clear water.

I have the exact same truck. I bought it because my F150 V8 was laboring while going uphill pulling my boat. The V6 Ecoboost has considerably more torque and never sweats a steep hill. I live in the Ozarks and there is no such thing as level roads here.

I've caught and snagged lots of them. When caught on a crankbait they have usually sucked the lure all the way in. It is a B____ to get that lure back because of the small mouth and the fact they can't be lipped or held like a bass. On the other hand, when snagged, a carp could make a person think they have hooked a nuclear submarine.

I've been using that very line for 2-3 years; .015". I am beginning to wonder if it has excessive stretch. Can any of you members give me a knowledgeable heads up on this?

To correct myself......that is the R Clunn "Trickster" spinnerbait, double Indiana blades, 1/2 oz., white skirt, 3" Damiki for a trailer.

R Clunn 1/2 oz. double willow, white skirt, 3" shad look trailer.

PH Custom Lures.

Going back to 1954, yes, I do remember. Lynx Lake in Wisconsin, staying at Lynx Lake Lodge with my parents. I left a stringer of fish attached to the dock and went to the lodge for lunch. When I came back I saw two large Muskies swimming away and all my fish were in shreds; that was my first case of "Muskie Fever".

Were you fishing a famous Bass Lake with live bait, by chance? Sorry, you said you were using a jig.