VTFan

Looks like you've got a couple bent hooks there. I went to using Mustad UltraPoint KVD Elite Triple Grip Treble Hooks and haven't regretted it. JMHO

15, 17 Fluro, and 30, 40 braid

I was using 40 lb PowerPro but cut back to 30 lb. since I don't do much punching. The only thing I've noticed different is that I get more casting distance. JMHO

I agree with what others have said about the pro's using what their sponsors tell them to use. How often do you see a pro really get down in the dumps because he had a bad tournament? Seldom, or at least I don't. Why? Because at the end of the day they know they have a paycheck coming in from sponsors. As for original bladed jig vs ThunderCricket...as a retiree who mostly pond fishes with the occasional trip to the lake with the boat, the original is fine with me. Don't need the latest and greatest. JMHO.

I too use Mustad KVD Elite Short Shank Triple Grip treble hooks on my cranks and they have yet to fail me. Gamy's on the other hand...I've had no less than two 2/0 and ***/0 EWG break and cost me fish. Needless to say I don't use Gamy's any longer.

I started with the exact same gear. Still have one of my old pistol grip Ugli Stik rods and the first baitcaster I ever owned (a Daiwa Procaster) that had the side button for casting.

I got a pair of these and love them!!! Thanks for the tip.

I was taught "Leave it better than you found it". If I leave someone else's trash and so and so knows I was the last to fish that particular spot then in his eyes that is my trash. So, yes, I do pick up other peoples trash.

I guess I should have also asked what's a decent pair of split ring pliers that won't break the bank? I've got a pair of Berkley's that I don't really like.

Ok, thanks fellas.

What size split rings are the norm on 1.5 size crankbaits? Don't want to order the wrong sizes. Thanks.

My brother and I fish small lakes...9.9 hp or less so we mostly troll. But..we realized that we used to catch more bass in his old boat that we could easily anchor. So he now has anchors on his new boat. We have much better luck when fishing wacky's, drop shots, etc... if we are anchored.

I too fish a plastic bait until it falls apart or the bass steal it, whichever comes first. Mend It and a lighter help prolong the life of a plastic. As for opened packs of plastics, I've got packs that were opened 5 years ago and still work as though they were new.

I'm with you. To me it's like sitting there with a cane pole. Just my opinion. My brother loves a DS. I will say though, I do have one rod that is set up for DS but it very rarely gets used.

It's interesting you said that because I have almost the same issue with Gammy's not bending, but breaking. I've broken at least three 2/0 and 3/0 EWG Gammy's and I don't have what would be called a bone jarring hookset. It baffles me. More baffling is that I haven't had that problem with other brands. I'm at a loss.

I have a question related to this topic. My uncle insisted that only the tail of a buck deer could be used, Not...a tail from a doe. My question is, is there a difference other than male and female?

What's the general consensus as to EWG vs Straight Shank hooks for Texas rigging? I've been using EWG's but after a few fish the heads tend to get torn up and I either have to bite off the ends or use a lighter to melt them back together for a few more fish. Just wondering if straight shank hooks tear the head of the bait up any less? Also, how is the catch ratio one compared to the other?

I think I remember seeing Denny Brauer fishing one of these on tv once. He said it was one of his favorites.

Wacky rigs and chatterbaits. Used to be my go to baits. Not anymore!!

The one that comes to mind first is a crankbait. A couple years ago my brother and I were out on the lake one day beating the banks, catching a few small bass. Then on a whim I tied on a KVD 1.5 sexy shad squarebill and started casting to a flat behind us and immediately caught my PB 8 lbs. 8 oz. largemouth and proceeded to absolutely wear them out that day. Since then a squarebill has become one of my favorites.

Talk about finicky bass!!! I was down at my local pond the other day, air temp in the upper 60's, mostly sunny sky but windy. Did I say windy? I meant WINDY!!! They would not touch a spinninerbait, bladed jig or any other moving bait. So for kicks and giggles..and I can't believe I did this as gusty as the wind was...I tied on a watermelon/red Brushog with a 3/8 bullet weight and immediately started catching bass. What was so crazy, I thought 'ok, if they like the watermelon/red brushog let's see how they like the same color wacky stick worm'. Result?? Not a bite. Went back to the brushog and resumed catching fish. Two different soft plastics, same color and they ate one and gave the cold shoulder to the other. I told my brother, fish are like women, you can't figure them out....sorry ladies.

Every baitcaster I've got is Abu Garcia and under $100. They are all in the 'Max' line of reels and I think the most I spent on any one of them was $60-$70 bucks. 75% of my fishing is from the bank even though I have a boat.

Yessir.

I hope this is the right place to asked this question. My brother has a 9.9 hp Mercury tiller steer motor, 3 yrs old, 15 hrs run time, plus fuel tank, line and flush muffs he's wanting to sell. What would you guys say it's worth?

No sir!!! My inventory of rods and reels number only 10 or 12 and that's counting both casting and spinning total. I do however have one reel that is high speed that I do use for topwater stuff (didn't realize it was high speed until after I'd bought it and even it gets used for other stuff) but otherwise all my stuff is multi-use. All my rods are either mediums or medium/heavy's and do double duty most of the time.