White77

In order of quantity of bass caught. 1. Bandit 200 Pearl/Chart back 2. Rage Rigged Rage Craw, various colors 3. Jig and Rage Craw, various colors In order of quality bass caught 1. Buzzbait- biggest of the year, possible PB 2. Rage Rigged Rage Craw, green pumpkin 3. Jig and Rage Craw, PB&J or some sort of greenish color. Over all the Bandit ruled this past year!! Cliff

I caught one today on a jig and Rage Craw!! They are my favorite craw baits, I don't even carry any others in my box now. The rig Big O showed with the weighted hook has proven excellent for me. I don't even bother using a normal t-rig anymore when I am flippin. I actually rig all my flippin baits like this now, including worms and Grande Bass Rattlesnakes. I only use the craws and I pinch off the first segment when used on a jig. Like SoFlaBassAddict says, the designer stands behind his stuff, I had the opportuniy to meet Big O last summer and he is a heck of a guy, I hope someday we can meet again on the lake!!

Big O gave me that hat personally!

I decided to take a vacation day today to start my 2012 fishing year. I started at the same spot I caught one fish last weekend. It is a ledge that runs out into a creek channel. It drops from about 6 feet down to 13 or so. Then down to 15 feet where it drops into the creek. The ledge and the channel from a "T" Anyway, I started draggin a football jig with no luck. I then cranked and rattle trapped my way into the back of the creek, nothin. Then I flipped a Rage Craw along a steep bluff bank, nadda. Soooo, I went out into the channel and fished a couple other drop offs, both from about 6 feet down to 18 or so, zip. So now I am thinking I should have just went to work!! I decide to finish my day at the spot I started, the ledge/channel "T." I made the first cast with a Big O football jig, 3/4 in Falcon Craw with a matching Rage Craw. As soon as I dragged the jig over the ledge I felt the tap and saw my line jump. So I swung hard, and, my drag slipped big time, guess I forgot to reset it!!! I did manage to hook the fish, most likely thanks to that sweet Owner hook. Pretty good fight, decent bass, nothing special. It sure beats the dinks I normally catch! This was the only fish I caught. I consider it a success anyway, me fishing deeper water, away from the bank, without a visible target is something new. Terrible pic I know, but it is what it is!! Thanks! Cliff

Kinda like when Forest Gump broke free from his leg braces!! Too cool. Cliff

I use an Excel spreadsheet, worked great for me this year. If your "smart", like my wife, you can set it up to automatically add up your totals. I had the Date, Location, # of fish caught, # of keepers, Weather, and bait Used. Then I used Bold and Italics to mark different things. On mine, a bold faced trip means I caught a fish over 5lbs. Italics meant I fished in my buddies stock tanks.

Cruz is a beast for sure. Hope things can turn for the better next season. Until then, GO GIANTS!!!

When I first started baitcasting, I tried using right hand retrieve reels, because that is what was readily available. I am right handed and could just not get the hang of it. I like having the rod in my "good hand." I can work my bait better, get better, stronger hooksets, and more accurate casts. Additionally, I don't have to switch hands after the cast. Meanwhile, more stupid, uncoordinated left, hand, just has to turn the handle, that isn't as important of a job, IMO. Cliff

I kept track this year of every single bass I caught, regardless of size. I know my numbers don't compare to alot of y'all, but it was a great year for me. Here are the numbers. Outings-112 Bass Total-405 Keepers(14"+)-133 Over 5lbs-6 My top three productive baits were a Bandit 200, Rage Craw, and a Jig. I learned alot this year and even got to catching some deeper fish towards the end of the year. I am looking forward to an even better 2012!! Here is a picture of my best one of the year.

Well the fish weren't biting too good, I caught one on a jig, not with the Curado. After that bite died off I grabbed the Shimano and figured I would run a worm through the same area seems I did have a few bites. Well I boned on the first cast!! Backlashed like a big dog!!! I haven't had a backlash like that in a long, long time. Ruined the entire spool of line, so I put it away for the day. I was a bit ticked as I wanted to try out my new reel. After I got home I respooled and played around in the yard for a while, I think I have it dialed in now. I can cast (in my front yard) a 5" roboworm zipper shakin worm with a 1/8 tungsten weight a good long ways with little effort. Hopefully next time I will actually get to fish it!! FYI, this reel balances perfectly on my 7' Lamiglas Excel 704.

Yeah, I just replaced mine a couple weeks ago, you won't believe what the problem was, it was the rubber cover!!!! I got about three years out of mine. Of all the "add ons" i got for my boat, this was by far the best one.

I will give it a run this weekend, supposed to warm up a bit, hopefully they will be biting!!

I have a pair of rapala needlenose pliers that have a split ring deal on the end, they work fine for me!

Thanks for the info y'all. I am gonna go with the light t-rig set up. I planned on working with a t-rigged worm more this year anyway, so it will get plenty of use.

If I had the gonads to do it, I would toss both my wifes cats out like that!! I hate cats. I am just waiting for the day my dog has had enough of the cat and decides to use it as a chew toy, I wouldn't stop her.

Got my first Shimano for Christmas, a Curado 51E. I am wondering where you think this reel would best fit into my arsenal. Here are the options. I could put it on my 7' ML I use for smaller cranks, generally around rocky areas/open water. I could put it on a 7' M and use it for lighter texas rigged worms/shakeyheads, light wood cover. Or I could put it on a 7'3 M and use it for weightless senkos/flukes etc etc, light to heavy wood cover. Line choices are somewhat limited, I currently have 10lb CXX, 50lb PP, and 20lb Sunline FC Sniper, however I can go buy some more line. Also, the reel that will be used to fill the other applications listed that this reel does not, will be a Revo S-L. In short, where would you use the Revo and where would you use the 51E? Thanks for reading, I am kinda bored tonight. Cliff

My oldest nephew got a little telescopic back scratcher for Christmas this year. I asked him if I could use it to scratch my butt. he said "no, it is a back scratcher, if it was a butt scratcher I would let you"

I have one and put it on a 7' Med rod, I was planning to use it for light, 1/8, T-rigs. I have not used it yet. I was also considering using it for throwing small cranks like a Bandit 200 with 10lb line. What do you think? Cliff

Almost forgot, I was the random winner on Moaner Hooks Facebook page and won a prize pack from them!!

Not including the stuff from the BR Christmas Exchange, that I posted in that thread, I got: Shimano Curado 51E (first Shimano for me!) P-Line CXX 10lb KVD L&L Reel Grips Falcon Rage Craws Bandit crank Owner Trebles Assassins Creed II ( I am a little behind) Duke Nukem Forever Elder Scrolls: Oblivion A really nice, Made in the USA Buck knife Mossberg 702 Plinkster (my first gun) Couple small tool sets for truck, one sockets, one screwdriver A few other clothing items and smaller things. That is the list of gifts given to me by others, here is a list of gifts given to me by me! A bunch of Falcon Craw jigs from Seibert Outdoors Owner Shakey Heads More Bandits Roboworms A scope for the new Plinkster We had an awesome Christmas this year. We spent some good time with the family and ate some good food too!! I am pretty sure Santa got everything that the boys wanted as well. Cliff

I used to beat the banks as well. Finally got a 2 man boat like your referring to. best move I ever made. get the boat and start saving for another combo, you can only use one at a time anyway!!

Hey guys, I got my very first gun for Christmas!! My father in law got me a Mossberg 702 Plinkster. I just wanted something to go target shooting with for me and my two boys, I think this will be perfect. Anyway, I have a question. If I am driving to the range, can I carry this rifle in my passenger seat (regular cab) of my truck in a case or does it need to be in the bed of the truck? Obviously I know the thing can't be loaded, should the ammo be carried in a separate bag/case? Can I put the gun behind the seat of my truck? I did some googling but all I could find were handgun laws. I am in Texas by the way. If someone can answer these questions and or point me to a website with the info I would really appreciate it. Also, any other important info I need to know about laws and such feel free to let me know. I am quite aware of gun safety having been in the Army as well as shooting often with another family member. I don't plan to take the boys with me until I am comfortable with this rifle myself. I really appreciate any info!! Thanks Cliff P.S. The rifle is stored out of reach of the kids and locked!!! I am a bit of a safety nut in everything I do!

Thanks to Hi Salenity for his great gift!! Some roboworms, jigs, caffeine shads, little dippers, jig trailers, traps and a jerkbait!! All packaged nicely in a zerust box!! Thanks man!! Merry Christmas!

Thanks!! I hope you and your family have an excellent Christmas!!! Cliff

No matter the outcome of this game, I know I will have an awesome time with my bro. If only we had another day to hit the lake!!