T-Billy

When fishing structure, I approach it as you described. When fishing cover I generally swim it along just under the surface and kill it and let it fall down into openings in the cover.

I have that brush jig mold from Do-It. I haven't made any for several years. I much prefer the flat eye Arkie. It comes through wood, brush, and rock better and also skips very well. EDIT TO ADD: The flat eye is important IMO. It helps keep the jig from rolling over when working through cover, and it sticks a high percentage of fish in the roof of the mouth.

I found this interesting and educational. I'll probably go this route and may do it yet this year. Note to self, Don't charge below freezing.

Senko or a stupid rigged tube most often.

Man, soul crusher for Mark. Sitting pretty comfortably in 5th, when out of the blue... Ding... Ding... Ding... Ding. That's something I love about this format, Guys can go from zero to hero FAST, and vice versa.

The travel involved in being a touring pro doesn't interest me in the slightest.

BPS Crankin Sticks are excellent for their price range. Light weight and sensitive for a composite. I'd put them on par with the Veritas Winch series. They're normally $79 and a solid value at that price, now on sale for $59. I may pick up a 7' MH myself. I currently have the 7'3" H and really like it for swim jigs, light A rigs, and heavy chatterbaits on braid. It's even a pretty decent jig rod with braid.

Hey man, I thought this thread was about something else man... Yeah me too man. Let's go get something to eat.

Glad to hear your still with us and on the mend brother. I'll keep you in my prayers. I gotta ask, When they placed the stents, you didn't insist they suture ya with 15# Big Game did ya?

I struggled with anxiety, depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction from my early teens until I was 41. A man from Nazareth cured me. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Yep. Sure would.

Yep. Gotta burn once, then you'll tan after you peel was how we rolled. I was also a Camel smoker for 19 years. Two pack a day kinda guy when I quit. Can't stand the smell of 'em now.

I tried it and liked it, but I like Trilene XT better. Advance is SLIGHTLY lower stretch than XT, but it ain't the game changer Sufix claims. XT is more abrasion resistant, has less memory, great knot strength and is cheaper.

Same story here through the 80's and 90's. I'm pretty careful about exposure these days. Sunshirt, gloves, hat, pants or sunscreen when wearing shorts.

Generally 20# or 30# 832. I think they have a better action with the limpness of braid, and I can muscle fish out of cover with it.

Well... When your old trick puts lots of big brownies in the boat, and you enjoy fishing that way......

Stupid responses are the only kind I'm qualified to give. ?

Rilly? Crap. I figgered it was one of dem mean mouf basses. Figgered all dem teef wer how day got dare name. ?

Not a latest catch, but my phone brought this up. Two years ago today, I caught this fat 38" on a TRD bug. 6# XT. Twas a memorable battle.

I use straight 40# braid for my A rigs. Lotsa wood where I fish and I like to get them back when I hang up.

Good chance I'll make the jump to Lithium next spring. My current batteries are starting their 4th season and are beginning to get a little tired. Replacing two group 31's with Lithium in my 20hp powered 1648 is a pretty good weight savings, and their ability to provide full power to a lower discharge level would be a nice performance upgrade.

Just found my way back to the thread. Sorry to hear about your wife. Praying for her. Hope she's feeling better.

I have the SLX XT and SLX MGL 71. They're ok. I like all my Lew's better, even the $99 LFS. The $99 LFS is maybe the best bang for the buck out there. The Fuego CT gets lots of love too in that price range. I won't buy another Shimano below the Curado, and depending how my new Hakai holds up, I may not buy anymore Shimanos. Fished with the Hakai for the first time today and I was impressed with it's performance. If it stays smooth there are more in my future.

My tackle load lightens as the season wears on and they become more predictable. Early season... Everything goes, including the kitchen sink. Ya just never know.