Chris Catignani

Sooner or later we all get "hooked" on fishin'.

So true that...The moral of the story here is to just go fishing! There will be times where find fish where you wouldn't think they would be. I have seen the worst gar-hole of a flat be the hottest spot on the lake because 1: the wind put a little chop on the water 2: the shad had moved in and the bass followed.

You wont really "see" anything when a bass hits it and rises in the water column. With a float 'n fly...we have a special float that leans over when a fish hits it and rises.

One thing (from the book) I thought was pretty innovative was Charlie had reel where he had cut the bail off. It just had the roller. I've used reels like this in the past and currently have a "float 'n fly" rod like that. You pick the line up with your finger, make a cast, drop your finger down (catching the line) and reel it back on the roller. I cant say enough about Slider fishing...the book and the technique. 2008 DVD produced in the 1980's

You will need a heavier bait to throw a buzz bait with a bigger blade. Ive been in situations where small Kentucy bass would just hammer the buzz bait on every cast just about. Switching to a bigger buzz bait resulted in bigger fish. The heaver weight make the bigger blade run truer. ...and it would help on a windy day too. For the most part (on the river) I will throw a 1/4oz on a light line.

Welcome Jake...There is literally (no pun intended) a sea of knowledge here.

Take a peek in the back where all the pumps and wiring are. If it looks like a jumble of wires and hoses...think on it.

Loomis has a limited lifetime warranty. In the OP case @Allaroundfishing where someone stepped on the handle... From there site: Breakage deemed to be the result of normal wear and tear, misuse, abuse, alteration, accidental damage, or neglect will, at the companies’ discretion, be repaired or replaced for a specific fee. A full estimate will be provided for your approval before any fees are levied. G-Loomis reserves the right to refuse service on any claim. As a side story...back in the day when you could buy Loomis blanks...we use to complain that some of the blanks weren't straight. Gary Loomis was adamant that it didn't matter. Well I have to agree with Gary on this...but customers wanted a straight rod. But anyway...it became a long standing joke that..."Loomis rods were bent so you can cast around trees."

It almost looks like a Kentucky/smallmouth hybrid. Are there Kentucky bass in the lake?

I grew up wading...we always waded up stream as to not disturb the next hole/spot. Those river smallies will just about hit anything. I had a short 5'6" Lamiglass rod. The short rod made it easier to cast under the trees. One thing for certain...My #1 absolute go to lure was a motor oil colored 4" Slider worm. Rigged just like this.

If you can locate the model number...you can determine the year from the model number. It something like the 7th and 8th digits...and there coded. Its a little weird. How Do I Determine the Year of My Evinrude Outboard?

Good luck on the river... Now (like Shultzy would say) "Maybe I know something."

Sometimes, life priorities put fishing on the back burner. I got a bathroom tile job I have to finish this weekend or Im gonna loose it.

So are you saying the blank was crushed? Post a picture if you can. If the blank was crushed...you could saw it off and just insert another scrap piece of rod (with cork attached) and sand it down.

Your spot on about the bogeyman. One thing that important to know about a thermocline is what makes it tick. As water gets cooler...it becomes molecularly denser..ie heaver. In the winter...as the upper layer get colder...it will transition to the bottom...thus the lake turnover and there will be no thermocline. As the lake warms back up in the spring/summer...the thermocline will form again. Some really deep lakes will actually have two theromclines. Once a thermocline forms...its still oxygenated...but it slowly starts to deplete. There are many ways in which oxygen can enter the water under the thermocline. A cold rain for example will sink if the water is cooler than the surface water. An under water spring. Creeks and river currents...just to name a few.

Sorry to hear about your brother...I lost one a couple years back and think about him everyday.

Its a genetic anomaly called xanthism. Its a mutation in the process that make molecular structure (scales). Blue and yellow make green...Thats bass' genetics cant produce blue...thus leaving it yellow. Are these bass ... gold?

I would be a little worried about UV...and more worried about hooks. Ive seen old EVA get that dried out texture that tends to flake.

404: Fish Not Found You get this error when the boat is out of the water.

Not really knowing for sure...but it looks like that fish has fin rot...which you see sometimes with aquarium fish.

Yes...mostly Stren nylon mono...6,8,10,12. Currently testing some 6lb Strike King Tour Grade fluorocarbon and 12 lb KastKing FluoroKote.

One thing you could do is measure the guides on both sides of the one that broke...and someone could give a pretty good guess as to what it should be.

Ready for the lake Rainshadow blank w/ Fuji Alconite guides finished at 6' 10"