Big Hands

What else did that cat do on it's last day above ground?

Indeed. I used a bottom section of an old ultralight rod and a tiny Zebco underspin reel as a 'cat exerciser. One of those yellow practice plugs was the bait of choice. I had endless hours of fun with that rig and may have even learned a little about fishing in the process. If the cat(s) were worked up, it was pretty easy to get them to pounce. Other times, if I imparted some action to the plug while it sat in place, it would get their attention, but they might only go on point and watch the bait jiggle and crawl. . . . until it went out of their sight. If they were 'on point, and it looked like the bait was going to crawl away from them, that's when they couldn't stand to let it get away and they would pounce on it. Sometimes I could swirl it in a circle and get them to chase it like a dog chasing their own tail. They would do it long enough that they would have to stop and pant to catch their breath and then get back after it. This last part was more for my enjoyment than theirs. Aah, good times!

The SV TW103 is the 2020 model, and the SV TW is the previous version. Side note: I have a SLX MGL 70 XG and an SV TW. IMHO, I'd take the SV TW all day, every day and twice on Sundays. I paid $30 less for my SV TW too. I wish I'd bought another at that price.

Does that box of baits belong to you? ;~)

Watched a bald eagle ****** a trout out of Vail Lake (back when it was open to the public to fish there). He flew over to a telephone pole that was sticking out of the water and sat on the crossarm to consume his prize. I've seen others swing and miss on fish too. I've had herons and seagulls go after my topwater baits on more than one occasion. I saw two herons fighting each other recently. That was a first for me. Talk about a dork-fest of a battle, LOL.

The Tatula CT does not have the 'zero adjust' tension system, so you would adjust the bearing tension the traditional way. The Tatula 100 does have the zero adjust, as do a couple of other Tatula baitcasters, but most have the traditional spool shaft bearing adjustment systems. If a Daiwa has the zero adjust system, you can tell by looking at the bearing cap. On the zero adjust system reels, the cap is thin and hard to get at, and it is generally very difficult to turn with your fingers. They are supposedly adjusted properly from the factory, so it's best to get one in an unopened box if you can. I have a Tatula 100 (with zero adjust) and a Tatula SV TW (non-zero adjust). My Tatula 100 was a floor model, and I had to initially fiddle with it, but since then, I don't have to mess with the bearing tension as advertised, and only make adjustments to the braking system via the dial on the non-drive side plate. The Tatula SV TW (not to be confused with the current model Tatula SV TW103, which the OP has, which does have the zero-adjust system) does occasionally need a small adjustment if I change bait types, but not much.

Maybe using the descriptor 'wrench' instead of 'tool' will come off better next time ;~) . . . unless he actually is a tool.

The healing and restorative effects possible from a day of fishing should not be underappreciated IMHO.

Doyle Harkavy, is that you? I wonder how actual sticks feel about being equated with anglers? Next time I catch a tree pounder, I'll ask.

As a cyclist, I fully understand the need for water. I had one MTB ride where I brought 225 ounces of water and still ran out. Fishing when it's cool outside doesn't seem to affect me that much.

My adult daughter started fishing with me this past summer and after seeing bass chasing bait on the surface became interested in catching one. We had a 'night fishing' event (they only allow night fishing a few times a year on the lake I fish) in September and I bought her a black jitterbug for the occasion. She got a small swirl on it after only a few minutes which prompted her to keep throwing it. After a good while, she got a HUGE swirl on it right next to the boat that even got my heart racing. To her credit, she kept tossing that jitterbug for another hour and finally that big kitty just couldn't take it any longer. Now she loves topwater fishing even more.

Sometimes, in the winter, I don't even bring food or water, and even when I do it is mostly ignored. As the weather gets warm (regularly over 100° in the summer), I eventually have to bring water or I won't be able to stay on the lake without it. Food is still often ignored in the summer. Looking back, it does seem silly that I couldn't find a few minutes to choke down a sammich, but that's what happens when I'm 'busy' fishing

That thing you do. . . . that others probably don't. I won't even try to take credit for 'discovering' this because I originally heard about someone doing this back in the 80's, but have never run into or talked to anyone else that does this since then. When fishing what I would characterize as a finesse Carolina rig, I fished with 6 lb mono line with a Mojo finesse sliding sinker, and rather than employ a leader, I used a the main line all the way to the hook. But instead of using a Carolina Keeper or a 'sinker stopper' in place of the swivel, I would take a skinny natural rubber band and tie it tightly over the line with two overhand knots and trim the tag ends very short. It is more secure than a Carolina Keeper or sinker stop, fairly easy to adjust if needed, weighs almost nothing, doesn't seem prone to snags, doesn't damage the line, and much cheaper than swivels, keepers or stops. Whatchya got?

I fished last Saturday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm. Didn't eat a bite, or even take a single sip of water, from the time I got up until I got home close to 5:00 pm. Eight bites, four fish in the boat. Didn't have time to take a sip of water or eat. I couldn't even estimate how many times I've done the exact same thing. Admittedly, in the summer, I do have to at least take water with me ?

Excellent all-around list for those that want to cover a lot of bases with a handful of rods. Once people get some experience, they can figure out where to go from there if they really want to specialize in a particular niche technique.

Great tip. Been using this method since the 80's and it really works to keep the bait where you want it during casting and retrieve, and is also very effective for not letting the bait slide down the hook on short strikes. Although, I use the flat toothpick right from the get-go rather than waiting for the bait to begin sliding down the hook.

I went out shallow water rockfishing on a half day boat one day, and after hearing passengers griping about only having anchovies for bait, the deck hand tied a ten hook gagnon and filled it with sliced pickle chips from the galley. It only took a few minutes at the bottom to fill it with bluefish. Soooo, did that McNugget have a straight tail or a curly tail? Exactly where in the water column is the McNugget most effective?

I have seen bass put so many things in their mouth that do not resemble anything that they would normally feed on that I don't think it's necessary for them to believe it's what they normally eat for them to strike at it. It may help to simulate their prey, but it's far from necessary. I think they can be competitive, reactive, opportunistic feeders that at times may put lots of strange things in their mouth to check it out just in case it is food the same way a two year old tries to eat sand at the beach. People catch huge bass every year on things like cut bait, cheese balls and all kinds of other weird stuff that was intended to catch other species.

I must have missed that part of the call (I joined late), but would liked to have been in on that as that my current rig is in that category since I have a total of around $1,500 invested into it at this point.

Been using Hot Sauce myself for probably well over 25 years.

I think there are some people that would auction off a half-used q-tip if they thought they could sell it.

Take a slab type spoon with a treble hook to the spot and drag it around. I have a buddy that has recovered at least four rods over the years doing that. You'll usually snag the line or a guide, and then gently bring it up to the surface. It may take more than one time out there to go over the area, but just take an hour or so each time out.

Rule #1: If you can't afford to lose it, don't throw it out in the water, especially if it sinks. That said, you can manage your risk. Maybe don't start with a swimbait that sinks, or at least on the sinks very slowly. Go with a floating wake bait of one that only goes down a foot or so when you crank it in. A River 2 Sea S-Waver 168 costs around $20. They can be reeled in near the surface, or they slowly sink and you can retrieve them lower in the water column. You can also make your own. They can be made pretty cheaply if you already have access to some tools and paint them with rattle can spray paint. They may not be as productive as other methods at any given time (and probably won't much of the time), but you can definitely catch some big fish with them.

I have the SLXCX610M and I primarily use it for jerkbait fishing with the Vision 110 being my go to bait.