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Very sad for his loss. It is tragic as is every sudden death. That said.....don't swim or paddle in waters that you can be made into dinner especially in a craft that is easily overpowered. Period. There are no laws in nature and it does what it wants. I don't mean any disrespect to the man but it was only a matter of time if that is a regular habit of the angler. You couldn't pay me enough to sit in a kayak in shark waters, sorry. Call me what you want, but I enjoy life and more importantly my family and loved ones.

I thought this was the chat room, lol!

Just came today. I thought Id need to buy a cover.... guess not!! Need to get cracking.... smallies are calling!

I think it looks something like this...

I think they use that wording because of the tourist industry. Make people not think they are a tasty morsel. In the Cape of South Africa, the beaches have underwater fences to keep the sharks out. The fences need to be inspected and repaired regularly from sharks trying to get in and eat the beachgoers.. If I lived there, I'd own a swimming pool

I agree with Mark. If I'm not at the top of the food chain, I have no business being there.

Lots of great jigs out there - What separates them are the quality of hooks (light wire or extra strong), type of skirt materials used (living rubber vs silicone for example) and head shape (football, flipping and swimming heads as examples). Don't make it too difficult. Buy a couple football head jigs in 1/2-ounce and a couple in 3/8-ounce. Keep the colors simple. If you're unsure, buy green pumpkin or black/blue. Football head around rocks, or swim jig heads around weeds. If you feel like burning money, buy some flipping/pitching jigs. For trailers, Strike King, Zoom and Net Bait make popular crawfish trailers. You can match your trailers with your jigs or buy a little different color to give the jig a different look. Swim jigs are killer - use 3-5" swimbaits and swim them around cover. As you can see, the sky is the limit. I use Warrior Baits' jigs, but they'll all attract attention. If you feel a "tick-tick" on your line, wait until you feel a little tension before setting the hook. Bass declaw crayfish which is why you may feel a couple bites before they take the jig. Other times, you'll feel like you're snagged...so set the hook. It will either be a fish or you'll lose the jig. If you're fishing them where you should be, you'll lose at least 2 or 3 a trip. It's just part of the game, but well worth the quality of fish you'll catch.

The problem with this question is so many people have tried some but not others so they can't compare them equally. Example me personally I won't try any shimano rods/reels. I feel that it's a hype thing. So saying my powell endurance's are the best value would be false because the crucial could blow it away. Also some design factors would stop people from buying certain things. I know a lot don't like micro guides or certain reel seats ect ect. Example the Veritas. I'm sure it's a nice rod but I dislike the reel seat so I'll never buy one. You're going to get 20 different opinions from different people. Just stick with what feels good to you. You're the one using it not them. My personal favorite would be the powell endurance @ $120. It's just a great stick.

A-Jay and I had a similar discussion regarding smallmouth to largemouth. We consider a 6lb smallie from lake erie to be the equivalent of a 10lb largemouth in Texas or Mexico (lake baccarac).

The voices in my head do just fine.

Been hooked. Been to doctor. Had surgery to remove barb. Carry tube of Neosporin with me when I go fishing. Heard about honey but never tried it. Too sticky and it will attract bugs and flies. Plus the fact that I am sweet enough!!!!

Yeah, pretty much agree with you, Mark. I was going to add, but deleted to let the story speak for itself, that I never dangle my feet overboard and I fish fresh water 99% of the time. Only time I get out to wade is in the clear shallows. Not that I'm afraid of anything in the water....

The six lb smallie outfights the 10lb largemouth by far. Talking to the guides at lake baccarac they answered the question about what size fights the hardest. Their reply was the 7-9lbers. Their experience with grandes (over 10lbs) was the bigger fish pull hard but don't have the stamina to fight very long. But a 6lb smallie will fight all twelve rounds not just 2-3. With the smallmouth it's all about endurance.

I used to think that smallies really just put up more fuss, and weren't necessarily "stronger" fighters than largemouth. Also, considering the fact that most of my biggest smallies were caught on light line/tackle, my impression has been that if you let them run, they tire out. However, after fishing an umbrella rig, with a heavy flipping stick, and 65# braid, my tune has changed. When there is no drag singing, and it's you, a stout rod, and no stretch line, it becomes pretty clear that a smallmouth can simply put the screws to your gear much harder than a comparable largemouth. The shock and power of direction changes and just head shakes is incredible. For the original question, a smallie over 4 and a largemouth over 6 are what I consider truly "big." My best smallie is 5-12, and my best largie was 7-2. I'm not sure I'd consider either "trophy" fish, but in the northeast, they are big for sure.

Rod - any medium/fast stick with a modicum of sensitivity will do. Reel - one that holds line. It's really that simple.

SK Rage Tail Lobster ~ All Day & Every Day. A-Jay

That bearing comes into play only when the spool is under heavy load, when the spool shaft flexes just enough to make contact with the bearing race. If you run your drags set loosely, you'll probably never notice the difference with the bearing gone. If you ever use more than 8# of drag or heavier than 20# line, I'd leave the bearing in place just to be on the safe side. It doesn't hurt anything, and it may save you from a warped spool shaft. For example, if you get snagged and hold your spool rigid to pull your lure free, there can easily be enough pressure to damage the shaft. No, it's not a truly critical location to have a bearing, but it does do a little more than just driving up the bearing count (and the price).

Not actually my biggest but definitely one of my favorites. A-Jay

Rage chunks. If I'm outta those, I bite off a Rage craw. If I'm outta those, I bite off a Rage lobster. If I'm outta those, I go home....

Ah yes, the annual topic is about 4 weeks early this year... http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/111068-chatroom/

One very overlooked thing is your attitude. Nothing brings down a day of fishing more than a negative guest. Just try to be positive and stay positive throughout your day. Fishing is hard enough without negative vibes. Remember you are fishing and there are a lot of people out there who would trade everything they have to be in your shoes.

Haha...A-Jay, you have to get a replica made of that one. I think that would look awesome over your fireplace.

If this site had a chat room I wouldn't get anything done at work.

A used Gen 1 Cumara are easily found under $150. That's the most sensitive rod that I have used in this price range. I would take a Gen 1 Cumara over a crucial if you are open to buying one used. I haven't used a St. Croix Rage Rod, however a Legend Tournament was less sensitive than my Cumara and that was purchased for less than $150 new.

Most all Daiwa handles will work on the T3 platform. The 1016 spool is a bit better than the stock T3B spool. I've read where some Steez spools will work playing with shims. Zillion cast control caps work on them. (No performance gain) I added a Lexa handle (comes with 2 bearings, you can add 2 more). Added a 5x9x3 bearing under the drive shaft (replace a bushing). Added a 5x8x2.5 bearing to the level wind. Now you have 11 bearings in there.

I've got about 10 Crucials and at that price range the only other rods I have used that I thought were as sensitive are Bass Pro Carbonlite and JM Signature. Veritas aren't even close, my Powell Endurance isn't either. I have a Kistler micro mag and it doesn't compare either. My Croix Rage isn't as sensitive, I have a Fenwick Elite Tech smallmouth spinning rod that is every bit as sensitive as my Cumara so that would be in your price range and they are great rods.

Been using it all year on my top water rod without issues.. It's pretty d**n smooth and has been all season throwing walking baits.. No issues yet with stretch as it's a mono and expected to be..

What's a jig?

or here for t3B http://www.hedgehog-studio.co.jp/page/3

I was handed down a copy of this book from my grandpa as a kid. I lived and breathed this book for what must have been a couple of years. I read it over and over until the binding fell apart. I couldn't apply or understand much of it but I turned into one fastidious little nightcrawler keeper and the ONLY way I fished for some years after was with a #6 aberdeen hook. Those are some very fond memories. ~DR

I noticed mine has stopped working as well

Two reasons. The first is I can't seem to find any black nickel hooks that have a split shank. A few different bronze finish split shank hooks out there, but bronze hooks in my boat don't last very long before rust sets in. Second reason is any time I used split rings to attach the hooks, the hooks would constantly foul up on me. It doesn't take long for that to become very annoying.

Zoom super chunk & big salty! Only trailers I need and simple!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&fromMainBar=1 40 pages of search results of the word jig.........wade through that and you will know more than you ever wanted to know. also read the 14 page sticky Slonezp posted.

Rage

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12403-jig-fishing-questions/

If that's what weather is, and I've planned to fish, then so be it!

Topic is "Best Bluegill Imitator" not "Most Productive Bluegill Imitator". I, and I think many of you, were initially thinking of what lure appears to be the best bluegill replica. That was my initial thoughts anyway. My second choice would be LiveTargets cranks. I also really like the Bettencourt Dying bluegill. Got mine from Speedbead and it is a FUN little bait to fish with. I actually find myself messing with the action and watching it more than I actually fish it. I agree 100% with Slonezp and the others that a bluegill colored swimjig is going to probably produce more numbers in a day. A swim jig is so versatile and is also a top producer for me every season. Being that I'm in the midwest, it's almost always some sort of bluegill or sunfish color swim jig tied on. Both the swim jig and Mattlures gills will catch quality and quantity presented in the right situations. I am glad to have some of each in my arsenal.

They make brackets you can buy to mount it to a canoe or yak. If you are handy, you can build your own too. Waveland in the spring can be pretty good!

I feel for the families. But, how do you spell irony?

There was a "very small" tournament here last week. Water temps high 30s and low 40s. Couple guys pulled in a 17-lb sack of smallmouth. Other guys had one or two bites. I say you have a good shot at catching a fish or two, especially if you're the only one tossing a line Good luck, just be safe. Carry water, food and an extra set of clothes if you can.

What do I consider big? <------------------------------------------------- and not just the man boobs.

Relatively recently, Pure Fishing (parent company of Berkley, among other brands) purchased Shakespeare and now, as far as I can figure out, All Star and Shakespeare are being run as separate divisions. I've bounced around different web sites trying to figure out who owns/controls who and it can get confusing. On the All Star Web site, there is a contact number, if someone were really interested, that would be a place to start. I read somewhere (and I can't remember where) that All Star rods were being positioned as being primarily available through Academy Sports, but I can't confirm that.

Two CRAZY weeks in a row for Auburn fans! GO NOLES!

This is my favorite

It is my understanding that KVD and Jeff Kriet are part owners of the company.

It already sounds like you'd be an ideal tag-along fisherman in my book... gas money and bring hardly any gear? You get an A++ in my book. A few things I'll add (and I don't know if everyone buys into these ideas): - Don't question what spots we are fishing. If we are fishing a spot, it's for a reason -- If I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. - Try to joke around a little (on my boat at least). It gets kind of stressful being 100% serious. Can get kind of tense when it's totally quiet. - Be prepared for weather -- My buddy and I went out a few weeks ago after a cold front and it was 45 degrees -- he showed up wearing jeans and a hoodie. He was shivering cold all morning ESPECIALLY when we were running 60mph and he wasn't behind a console! Made me feel terrible for him all day. - DON'T YOU DARE BRING A BANANA ON MY FRIGGIN' BOAT!!!!! NOT EVEN BANANA BOAT SUNSCREEN!!!!

Circle on Bass: Bass Wisdom from a Master by Homer Circle

.......... more dots.

Jay, I have not used it, but a guy by the name of smalljaw on this site has. He is very knowledgeable, and will give you his honest opinion on it. If I recall correctly in speaking with him he liked the skirts. I will call him and let him know about your thread question.