Tackleholic

I don't have any and never will because I'm never going to buy another lure for as long as I live. Ha!

Try turning the hitch on your truck upside down, and apply some marine grease to the ball.

My Border Collie will be watching for Phil; if she has a successful hunt I won't have to feed her for 2 days.

I set by feel, locking it down pretty good with 15# leaders and 30# braid. With light line presentations I loosen it up pretty good, but I lose fewer fish by making a second hookset.

Reading this Forum Topic causes me to wonder : "are some stern lights noticeably brighter than others"? I'm referring to the common approx. 4 ft. pole with a round white light. I know there are some with camera attachments and chargers, which I have no need for. A brighter light would be an additional safety precaution. I once jammed a 4/0 jig hook into the base of my thumb while swatting at a Deer Fly. I was alone and jerked it out with pliers; made me feel sorry for all the fish I've done that to. Ouch!

Agree, but watch out for those pitchfork bones.

In my opinion, a 3# Smallmouth could kick a 5# Largemouth's butt if it wanted to. I've watched 15 inch Smallmouth nest guarders attacking multiple and circling big carp like a torpedo; successfully keeping them at bay.

I've seen that photo before; as I recall, the guy claimed all fish were released in good condition; what a crock of you know what that was. Perfect example of why big fish are becoming scarcer all the time.

That gear ratio is also good for cold water cranking, jerkbaits, and many topwaters, but I find a 6.3 more versatile.

Bass are my forever passion and I release them as quickly as possible; I do not even take time for a photo. A rare exception is when I have done all the CPR possible and failed. I have to look away when others take them to the fillet table or mishandle them in a manner certain to cause mortality. I was raised in an era when everything was "catch and eat", often depended upon to ease the cost of table fare for the family; I changed, but my parents and brothers never did. I admire tournaments where immediate release is required, and I think back to an article published in Alabama a few years ago about the high percentage of Bass which expire in the days following tournament weigh-ins.

I've been digging out some of my older reels that haven't seen much or any use in a while. I've found 3 that I'm thinking about sending to DVT along with others that do receive regular use. A Daiwa 103HVLA, and 2 of the round gold color Calcuttas (201B, and a 51) ; can't make up my mind to sell or use them again.

Baby Poop is an excellent color for spring Smallmouth in the Ozarks. Tubes in that color are the most popular.

8#

I recently watched an interview with a pro angler; when questioned about knots, he said he uses the FG, but does not use nearly the standard number of 22 wraps. I have not tried it yet.

I have a couple of buzzbaits with counter rotating blades which I bought 2-3 years ago but don't remember the brand; my point being, if you can track down the buzzbaits, the same co. may make a spinnerbait.

I experienced similar conditions until 3 days ago. Gonna' be a short winter.

Fun is just beginning here, most streets are practically trackless since last night; snow plows have not begun. Plus 10 degrees, predicted to drop to 0. Wintery mix and ice coming with 4 more inches of snow, maybe 40 feet, depending on one's interpretation of the forecasts. Good news is we'll have a short winter because winter did not arrive until 3 days ago. Don't know how I ever survived living most of my life "Up North". Stay warm, y'alls.

Adds a minor amount of stiffness; depends on how much is applied. I don't use any leaders long enough to sit on the spool.

Thanks for this topic, it really caught my attention. After reading everyone's comments and running some questions past Jig Man, I contacted the manufacturer for further confirmation on what size would be needed for my Merc 250. They recommended the GB40 since I don't have Lithium batteries, and for multi-purpose use and larger equipment, the GB70, like A-Jay's. I have a jump switch on my boat which so far I have never used, but a GB40 on board for additional low cost peace of mind makes sense. I've been stuck and inoperative on the water twice; once when the battery in my remote starter went dead, and again when a power pole fuse burned out with the poles deployed. I advise others to carry backups for these 2 items.

I also have a jump switch in my boat, as yet no need to try it. I have a Merc 250; in your opinion and experience, do you have confidence the jump switch will not fail if needed? I keep a small booster pack in my Trout boat which works with the Yamaha 20, but not my truck, and probably not the 250. This is an interesting topic.

Used the Alberto for quite awhile, but after much practice I am able to tie the FG in the same amount of time; had to discover a method which works for me.

I checked out the BOGO at The Hookup a couple days ago; 0 stock on all colors of my favorite jerkbait, Lucky Craft Slim Pointer size 97. Seemed kinda' suspicious to me.

So have I, but now I'm older and wiser. I can remember wade fishing and being caught in a lightning storm like that, about 2 miles from my car; I probably set an unofficial record for how fast someone can run that distance in waders. Scary as H_LL!

Very impressive for those conditions. What was your Ned Rig setup?

You must be very young.