Crestliner2008

I can tell you this much. Since I've changed over ALL my lures with barbless hooks, I have not noticed any disadvantages. I seem to land fish just as successfully when barbs are not present. I've gone this way with trebles as well as with spoons and jigs. In my opinion, a safer option for both the fish and the fisherman. The only hooks I retain with barbs are my DS hooks. Reason being is that with the weight below the hook, it gives bass more leverage to tossing it when they jump. And DS hooks normally catch in the roof of the mouth anyway, so it's not that bad for the fish. The main reason for barbs is to insure that you land every fish. To me, at my age, this is no longer of paramount concern. I fish purely for enjoyment and C&R every fish bring across the gunnels. This even goes for landing giants like this with the lure it was caught on:

I couldn't agree with your effort more. I've converted most of my arsenal to single Siwash hooks. And, I've also crimped down on the barbs as well. Have not noticed any difference in my landing ratio. And they certainly reduce harm to the fish and the fisherman. Here's one of my most successful smallmouth and lake trout lures:

Depending on just how "old" they are, I would consider antique value first before starting to clean any old lure. If they are antiques, don't do anything to them! Anything you try would jeopardize the value. If they are just common old lures, then start out with a soak in Dawn dish detergent. That should take care of most of the grime. The metal parts can easily be cleaned by using "NEVR-DULL" wadding polish, which is available at any automotive parts store.

Ice out for me = blade baits.

I would never miss a show! Best fishing entertainment on the tube. However, one thing I have a problem with is that it is unclear (to me anyway) what the actual progression is for moving up the rankings. They have the Summit Cup rounds, survival rounds, etc.. Wish they'd show a flow chart on how it all comes about.

Anything it wants!

For our waters here, the gold w/red works wonders. However any color will do. I've caught my share of rainbows with most of them.

I still have a '50's vintage Heddon Pal, tubular steel, bait casting rod, that my grandkids use (as a spincast rig) when they visit. Back in the '60's, I bought an 8' tubular fiberglass fly rod blank from Netcraft and had it turned into a spinning rod for trout fishing. Recently tried this old clunker out on crappie - just once! Now it's permanently retired. Way too sluggish and heavy, as well as less feel, than modern rods of today. We've come a long way baby!

It became amazing to me to find out that my fish landing ratio did NOT go down when employing barbless hooks. So now, I crush the barb down on them all, including trebles, with no regrets. And, if it does happen that you get a hook in you, it will come out a lot faster being barbless, than trying to find that pair of wire cutters - that you know you have - but just can't seem to find right then. An "ounce of prevention" kind of thing.

I have to agree with MaBassin508 as far as the Ct. store goes. It seems to be a hodgepodge of this, that and the other thing - everywhere you look! What I usually do is to order online, for the things I really need, for pickup in the store in Ct.. Then, when I get there, I keep some money aside to do some "shopping" around the store. Most times I end up buying more that way, but at least I can be guaranteed to net what I really need.

Sad state of affairs! Another reason why I am now staying away from Shimano and focusing primarily on P. Presidents. Better value for your dollar in my opinion.

I clean my rods thoroughly with Dawn dish detergent. They clean oil slick off waterfowl with it, so it must be safe! Then I swab all guides with a Q-tip to make sure none are cracked. At this point I wipe them down with a rag wet with ArmorAll. Gives the blanks a nice, clean finish and protects well. Reel handle cork is always cleaned with Magic Eraser. Then a wipe with U-40 cork seal. New cork is soaked with it, but after a full season of use and cleaning, just a light wipe is sufficient to take care of any wear spots.

My vote would be for the one that gives you the best confidence. My top 3: 1) LC Pointers 2) X-Raps 3) Husky Jerks I've always caught fish on one or the other at just about any time of the year.

I love the rods from B n' M myself. My favorite is the SHSS (Sam Heaton's Super Sensitive) series. And for casting light jigs with sufficient backbone to tackle just about any species, the 7' model is hard to beat. Won't break the bank either at around the $50.00 mark at many retailers. Check out Grizzly Jig Company too. They have the best prices in my opinion. Good Luck!

I read that book back in the '70's when I got my first tin boat. You can still get all Buck's products here: http://buckperry.com/

I stopped using multi-tools a few years back. Mainly due to their lack of rust resistance. The one I bought (Cost me $75.00!) was suppose to be stainless, but it didn't hold up well after a full season of use. And it was too bulky and heavy. Now I rely on my trusty Shrade folding knife (in sheath) on my belt on one hip and a pair of 6" needlenose pliers on the other. Haven't run into a situation where one or the other couldn't get me out of trouble. The idea behind multi-tools is great. However, size constrictions and weight require them to be just a compromise at best, on the real tools they attempt to duplicate. They'll certainly do in a pinch, but the real tools are truly so much better. Just my opinion!

Think seriously about picking up a few Thompson Buoyant spoons. Just put a quality ball bearing swivel about 18" up from the spoon to reduce line twist. I like the small size TB's for trolling and/or casting. I've also caught more than my share of trout on ball head 1/16 - 1/8 oz. jig heads dressed with straight tailed (Bobby Garland's Baby Shads) plastics. These are about the only lures I find it necessary to take along. I love to experiment, so, of course I have boxes of other enticements as well. These I know will put fish in the fryer ever time for me.

I've taken a lot of trout and crappie (as well as many other species) on the B n' M SHSS (Sam Heaton Super Sensitive) rods. I have several. For trout fishing, it would be hard to improve upon the 7' model, although I now prefer the 9' rods for either trout or crappie. I've caught some pretty decent bass and northern pike on these rods as well. Great quality and durability. Best part is you can get them for around $50.00 (Grizzly Jig Co.) which I won't ever complain about! I've now matched them all with Pflueger's Prsident reels (6920 model). Fine drag system and relatively bullet proof. Again, very cost effective at another $50.00. You could do a lot worse.

Google "Barlows Baits". They offer 1/4 oz. - 1/2 oz. plain blades that you just add split rings and hooks to. I probably use these more than most completed baits from other brands. Very economical as well when you buy 25 at a clip.

There are numerous blade baits to be had. I've probably got 1/2 doz. different brands right now. You do not "need" a Silver Buddy per say to be successful. Use whatever brand you can find; if you can feel the "vibes" when you first lift it off the bottom, then you have a winner.

I use to be a big Shimano fan. I own quite a few. And even today, with their price increases (across the board), I'm sure they are great reels. However, since trying out the Pflueger President, hands down this is the reel for me. Price, quality and dependability. I now own 3 of them and will never go back.

I believe it's more of confidence thing than anything to do with specific effectiveness - with any lure or plastic you tie on. If you are of limited means and you have confidence with "the same thing" plastics, then then by all means go for it. My personal opinion is that GY baits have been consistently more productive (for me) than the many other brands I've tried over the years. Consequently, I have more confidence when using them and tend to focus more intensely when I'm presenting them.

For me, I try to keep it simple. I've tried a huge amount of lures in my day for smallies. Cold weather, it's hard to beat a hard jerkbait on one rod and a blade bait on the other. If there are smallies on the structure you're targeting, one or both of these presentations will net you results.

Great looking update! Thanks!

Here are a couple of pictures of what I think was the largest smallmouth I've taken here in MA. I've definitely taken bigger largemouths, but I can't seem to find the pics? Oh well, here's a nice smallie (2 pics, same fish):