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In 2010 there was a bad freeze in South Florida that killed many of the Peacock Bass. This year I have really seen a significant increase in both numbers and quality sized peacocks. I was with a client in The Miami Airport Lakes system a few days ago. We brought some shiners with us as a backup just in case. It was a good call. The large female took a shiner free lined under a bridge and the male took a Rapala Skitter Prop on top. It was an excellent day as we caught four peacocks over 4#'s and some smaller largemouth bass. Merry Christmas to all of the BR guys and gals.

How about this one. My buddy and I are dragging tubes. I am catching fairly consistently, he is struggling. He says it is my bait/line/rod/weight/etc I am using. I suggest we switch rods. I catch one within 50 feet on his rig and hand the rod back to him.

I will openly admit that my level of jerkbait expertise pales in comparison to at least one angler I fish with on this board, and there’s a decent chance you’ll hear from him here. Like many lures, jerkbaits are pretty versatile and can be effective in different situations and conditions. I believe they are at their best in fairly clear water when water temps are on the cold to cool side; and that temp is relative to where you fish but less than 60 most of the time. The list of effective brands / models is Extensive. TW alone lists 147 different models; Overall size, Floating / suspending, rattles, shallow, mid & deep divers, and the colors / patterns are almost endless. Another way to group them is by the “speed” of their action specifically, after or during the pause when working the bait. The speed at which the bait rolls and then comes to stop then either hanging suspended or floating back to the surface can often times be an important consideration. Rapala Huskyjerks and Smithwick Rogues are on the slow side. Lucky Craft Pointer 100’s, 127’ 128’s seem to have a good mid-speed action / roll. Rapala X-Rap runs a faster erratic path through the water column. So that’s one way to think about this. Your results may vary. But there’s no denying the bait’s ability to catch trophy fish. A-Jay

Oh, and I also usually go to the gym at about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. It quiets me, makes me feel steady and ready

Ragetail, Megastrike, and the most beautiful custom rod made for me by Mike at Delaware Valley Tackle! First one I ever owned. Casts like a dream! Going to buy a Chronarch 50e and JJ's next

What he said..................I'll just fish stock colors, I am too cheap and lazy to send a bunch of stuff off to get painted anyways.

I wonder how many new guys on here just checked out tackle warehouse to look at buying a zebco 33

Had a fun and productive day today. I ventured out to West Broward to my good friend's honey hole. Some time ago Geo G, a BR member, and I met up at this location and today the spot paid off for me. Thanks George!! The fish were on and off but I managed to catch several. I caught a 20", 19" and 16". The 20 and 16 were caught on a u-vibe worm burning on top and the 19 was caught deadsticking a BPS stickworm. I finally caught my limit of 5 and was able to cull. Giving me a total of 88.5". We still have 10 days left in December and I am on vacation. On top of that I still have my glades trip next week. Jacob, don't start you're victory speech yet. 20" 20" Held up 19" 16"

You guys asked for it... Here is the Arsenal.. The other rods are sitting in the corner all cleaned up ready for the Ice to clear.. Top....PX68 Type R+ TD ITO TYPE R+ 1st ROW..... IZE PEARL IZE GOLD 1 of a kind LAMBO GALLARDO PAINTED REEL TD A O I TD ITO TYPE R+ 2nd ROW.... SPR PIXY RED PIXZILLA KUSTOM Green PIXZILLA SILVER PIXZILLA KUSTOM PIXZILLA Pixy TYPE R 3rd ROW..... ZONDA Alphas ITO AI PRESSO 1st T3 From Japan HLC ZILLION HLC ZILLION M-ITO BOTTOM.... Yellow PIXZILLA TD ITO

I fish both stock and some custom painted baits and for me they all produce equally. I think that it makes a difference if you think it makes a difference. A-Jay

Yeah I just wanted to get a general idea on what I might be looking at. I'll be tearing it down myself too. It looks good. Coming from an automotive background I can say black is the hardest color to paint. Prep work is key to a good finish with black.

I have no complaints being a construction super. My career started in the field for a few years and then I went in the office as an estimator for 20 yrs. The opportunity came a couple of years ago to go back to the field and couldn't be happier. Some days I'm managing subcontractors and other days I have tools in my hands. My day starts @ 6:00 am and I'm on the road by 2:30pm for the most part. Construction being construction, your days can be long at times, but I knew that when I signed up for the position and don't mind it at all. I've met a lot of nice folks, both in the trades as well as clients along the way which has been a great experience. The only down fall is that my time on the water has been reduced, but I fish a lot anyway! Have a great holiday bassers!

I love mine! I teach students ages 11 - 18 and I get the opportunity each and every day to be a positive male role model in their life. That may not sound like much, but most of these students need some sort of positive role model in their life. I get to coach the sports I love and not one day is ever the same. I also get a little time off in the summer to fish. I wouldn't trade my job for anything.

Guys guys guys..... Being 14 I know what it is like wanting to have a sponsorship or even a pro staff position. Take a breath and go to school. Don't worry about sponsorships. Most kids just want free stuff. Also don't call a resume this, " hi, I'm a good fisherman and I am looking for a sponsor" cause that won't get you anywhere. Take some time and put your heart into your resume and make the people want to say "WOW" this kid is amazing. Tight lines, Kade Anderson

21farms asked about this reel after I posted a pic of it in another thread. Here it is: Reel: Shimano Citica 201E. Modifications: Replaced stock Dartanium drag washers with carbontex washers Replaced stock 6:1 gears with 7:1 gears from Chronarch E Replaced stock plastic brake case with metal brake case from Chronarch E (then polished the new brake race) Replaced stock handle with 102mm Hawgtech swept carbon-fiber handle, w/ Shimano Power Grip II knobs (not stock knobs) Replaced stock graphite drag star with aluminum star from Core 101MG Replaced stock silver spool-tension knob with black knob from Chronarch E Replaced stock crankshaft bushing with ball bearing Drilled holes in thumb rest for weight savings and looks (mainly looks—I was going for something similar to Daiwa's Type R reels) Drilled holes in crankshaft for weight savings Polished spool shaft ends Polished key washer & anti-reverse ratchet surfaces for smoother drag (haven't polished the drive gear—it's brand-new and doesn't really need it) Polished clutch bar for smoother clutch engagement and disengagement Polished crankshaft just for the heck of it—I like shiny brass Flushed and lubricated all non-handle bearings The paint is Calfish's work and is the only modification I outsourced. The difference in how this reel handled before and how it handles now is night and day. The retrieve is silky smooth and at the same time feels very connected. So far I've only been able to test it out in the yard. Next year is gonna be a lot of fun. Still haven't decided on a rod for this reel, but I'm thinking a *** Black might be the ticket. Speaking of which, here's my next project reel: Still gathering funds for the upgrades I have planned. Going to give it basically the same treatment as my first reel, though this one isn't going to have the same Darth Vader theme. Not quite sure what I'll do just yet, though I've got a couple ideas. Tight lines, Ben

I bet more were trying to find the price of that pink casting rod... LOL

Hahahaha. I can't decide if I want to tell him that. On one hand I know he would get a kick out of that...on the other, I will never hear the end of it .

Every Ragetail product in my tacklebox (you all just had to keep giving stellar reviews)

Chronarch 50E and call it a day. I love mine so much that I won't go lower in the Shimano Baitcast reel lineup. If I get another Shimano reel it'll be another 50 series or stepping it up to a Core or Metanium.

Here in northern IL, i've been on the ice since thanksgiving! Mostly chasing panfish, but some days you cant keep the smaller bass off your jig!

I figured wacky rigging them. That's what I do!

Sorry Mutt, I did not give you your recognition today. Nice catches and yes you are at 84". Tell Joe that gang is catching up fast. LOL.

I normally wouldn't pull the "there's a search function above the post.." but you hijacked somebody else's thread /w an entirely different question. so....

Back in 2001 west geoegia had a big flood that flooded the city of west point by the chattahoochee river i lived there at the time on slightly higher ground and caught to bass off my neighbor privacy fence from my back porch

I also started out with the Cardiff and then got a ABU Ambassdeur C4 6600 and had bearings installed and tricked out. I then did the same with the 5500 C4 and used them for a couple of years. I now have a Calcutta and a Luna 300 which are great reels. But I find myself still throwning the big baits with the Ambassadeurs as much as I do with the other 2 reels.. Use the C4's as they have an extra bearing I think in the line guide as at least that is my understanding from the guy that tricks out my reels. Also some will tell you that the Ambasseduers under a load will bind and stick. I fish a large TVA impoundment which has very large stripers and have caught stripers on these big baits than weigh over 35# +. I have never had an Ambassdeur locked up or get in a bind yet. They handeled these hugh stripers without a hitch and believe me they pull a great deal harder than any LM.

I own a powerdrive V2 70#. I'm on my 3rd pedal in 5 seasons. They're junk and the contact points on the circuit board go bad fast. Especially if dirt or sand gets in there. I'd bet that's the issue. MK really dropped the ball on that pedal and what's worse is they continue to make them.

You might have deep seated self-esteem issues if you have to be "sold" on getting a Shimano reel. Once you touch a Calcutta 200 TEGT or a Calais, or a Core or any of the mid-level to higher end Shimano bait casting reels, it will speak to you and you won't want to fish with any other reel. I presume that applies to the lower end Shimano reels as well, but I don't have any so I can't speak to that. The hard part comes when you have an assortment of Shimano reels, some on jig rods, some on crank rods, some on spinnerbait rods, and they are all talking to you - at once - saying "put me in, coach". .. … That will test your decision making abilities.

Farmer, you crack me up. I swear, I don't believe you could say good morning without injecting sarcasm. Nevertheless, I love reading your posts. Never know what's coming next. Hats off to the Don Rickles of BassResource. Hootie

T rig them badboys on an EWG hook just like a worm. It has a lot of thump and a big profile that works well in dirty water and calls in the quality fish.

Thats the 6935 model, personaly I prefer the 6930....or in TW lingo the 1236652. That reel is 8.3 oz's, and holds 145 yds of 6lb line, and 130 of 8lb..............perfect bass size. I have owned the next size bigger in the last generation of Presidents, and IMHO it was too big.

Thanks man. You spawned the idea. That one is 3/8 and I also made a 1/4 and two in 1/2. Here's one of the 1/2 I made. Same exact skirt. Next time I'm there I'm going to spend some time digging through all the boxes of skirt rubber he has and try to find more of a powder blue. I also found an orange later that looks like the one you used. It's not as bright and has some brown/green tones to it.

This A-Rod fiasco needs to die! Baseball, in my opinion, was on the mend after the Mitchell (SP) Report came out. It took a while, but it was rebounding. Now, A-Rod waffling like a wanna-be politician is dragging it down again. I'm not an A-Rod fan since he left Seattle, so it's time he goes away and baseball can become baseball again! BTW, my 9 y/o son and I are going to the Baseball Hall of Fame this spring at his request...CAN'T WAIT!

No your not!!!

I had someone (who wins a lot of tournaments) tell me to put them in a flat area between 10-12' of water that does not have any structure around it and fish will have no other place but to gravitate to. I think he was being truthful with me but you can never tell with fisherman. Has anyone had success with pallets like this one?

I tell my wife everything I do fishing related is because "Bass Resource made me do it".

to me fishing is about getting out and fishing and not socializing. I invite people to go but it doesn't change whether i go out or not. I figure if they want to go then they will join me. Now i do enjoy fishing with my dad when i get the opportunity because, let's face, dads aren't around forever but for the most part I am perfectly content to be out fishing by myself and sometimes i actually enjoy it more

I stumbled upon this site a few years ago just as i got back into fishing again. At the time i had one or two combos and a minimal amount of lures and terminal tackle. Because of this site i now have had to push one vehicle out of the garage so i could devote more space for my kayak and pond prowler and for my soft plastic/jig buying obsession. Thanks alot you guys.

I don't think I would have bought any Rage products without seeing Big O posing with his harem of fat girls.

Suffice it to say, that I have improved every aspect of my angling world as a result of The Bass Resource web site & forums. However, there is no doubt that the Best addition is at least Two Very Good Friends. A-Jay

and what changes are those? Not to bust your balls or anything but i see you are not a St. Croix dealer and the rod you recommended is one that you do carry....maybe it is just the cynic in me coming out so feel free to disregard

Veritas rods , PQ reels, Alabama rig. various line , lures and accessory items. List is very long. Reviews and opinions from members here carry more weight than any other site I frequent. My only regret was the A rig but not because of BR , just wasn't my style.

I like Maker's Mark, but I can afford Evan Williams.

Actually, young men would be without true guidance if it weren't for fathers and other men willing to take them out and let them have reality teach them, learn how to take the buffeting and not only survive, but grow stronger. I mostly agree with you, Brian It must be a balance, the right guidance at the right time. I was a single mom with a son who's dad was gone. At a certain point (13 or thereabout) my approach wasn't enough! I'm not a father, period. So I swallowed hard and got him karate (goju) lessons with a strong, no nonsense sensai (master). I was terrified. But he took his falls, got into brawls, lost a tooth and some fights, and now he says it was one of the best experiences he had. Now he does run with the big dogs. If I'd had a daughter, it'd be much the same.....a father shows his offspring how to cope in the larger world. Actually, a father's involvement in his daughter's life is the major determinant of her confidence as a woman. Grown men are warriors in their way, no matter what vocation they settle on. I have the deepest respect for this. But women are warriors in their way, like a mother bear is, but the timing must be right. My gender had nothing to do with my comments. If someone had implied sarcastically that you were writing checks you couldn't cash and they weren't joking I'd still find it inappropriate on this forum. Think about the difference in how you would have commented on what I said if I'd been a man. But I can see how Coryn might have been embarrassed, and you might be right there. Sorry Coryn. I have too hot a temper at times. And Brian, I do like your bluntness ! You Irish?

Hit it on the head What else would make us live and breathe bass fishing enough to accumulate all this?! What else would make grown-ups cry over hard water in the wintertime?

welcome to the fray A-Jay!!! it has been a wierd ride......I have learned so I suppose that's all that matters.

I had not been following this thread from the beginning. I did just read all 14 pages; living in the snow belt, I've got time. Much of this may not directly answer the OP's questions but there is an abundance of very interesting info and views here; most of which is way above my pay grade. However, Toms quote above is one I can wrap my head around and routinely attempt to implement. Perhaps the single most impressive aspect of this entire thread - Is The Passion. A-Jay

Nursing background....true! I've seen many lives saved, much human happiness because Science intervened. I do agree with you here, Brian Our knowledge will always fall short, and will sometimes even take lives or make them worse (H-bomb, bacteria resistant TB, etc.) But it is our place as human beings to understand if that means acquiring widom (**** sapiens means wise ape). Science is only a tool to accomplish this. It's the human heart that really "knows." Nature and people aren't separate either......we are nature too. But, as you imply, if people in science or otherwise ever forget to have humility before the unknowable, to bend a knee and bow a head to the things of the spirit that are in us and in Nature, tragedy often follows! The Greeks called this "hubris" and I often loved the stories of this in dad's mythology books when I was a kid! Anyhow, I do recognize the truth in what you're saying. Even if you mentioned Yakburgers that one time

Its not the BOW that makes the hunter its the MAN! Don't worry about what others think. I have a PSE Dream Season and a Mathews Drenalin, both great bows and both accurate. Try some local shops and see what you can pick up, for example I know of hunters that get a new bow, every 3-4 seasons and some older bows are just as good on the cheap.

A trip to the Kingfisher Society is on my bucket list. It's going to be my retirement gift to myself. I'm one of the BR members who makes regular trips to Trophy Country in north central Missouri. Made the first trip in 2002, and have been doing three or four trips every year since. Costs $100 / day to fish, $40 / night lodging. There are quite a number of strip pits to fish. Some are a bit difficult to get to. Don't come over here in your BMW and expect to be able to get into very many places. You use their boats. You can't take your own. There's no place to put your own boat in the water. The larger pits have two boats each. Smaller pits have one boat. The largest body of water has three boats on it. When you check in you get a pair of batteries, pair of seats, cushions, paddle and a spare trolling motor. You get fresh batteries every day. You go where you want. The water you pick to fish on any given day is not crowded. The fishing is almost always outstanding for numbers. I've had numerous 100+ fish days. I've had a handful of days where I had to stop and duck tape up my thumb because I got tired of seeing it drip blood all over everything. I've caught two 8lb bass in my lifetime. One of them came from TC. 8's and 9's are caught every year, just not by me. You guys from Florida, Texas and california can scoff all you want at an 8 pounder. That's a giant in my neck of the woods. So, yeah, I don't mind at all paying $100/ day to fish at Trophy Country. Don't like the idea? Then don't do it. You wanna look down on me for paying to fish? Well then, knock yourself out, buckwheat. I could care less. I make the trips to get away from everything, decompress, eat some good food, drink some fine whiskey, smoke some top shelf cigars, hang out with some excellent friends, tell some lies, and catch a few fish. That's worth $100 a day to me. I can afford it, and as long as i'm healthy enough to do it, I will continue to make the trips every year.