Crestliner2008

Nothing! I'll be 70 in a few days and my "Sporting" (hunting & fishing) license is now free. Bet the state will still cost me a "handling charge" to get the license on line though.....we'll see.

Welcome aboard! You've made the best decision so far in joining us here. Definitely read the available information here in the published articles. And it would help a lot if you included here, some more information. I.E.: what species are you targeting, what kind of water do you intend on fishing (ponds, lakes, reservoirs, rivers), and what kind of tackle you now have to start with. Then we might be able to at least get you on the right track. Good Luck!

I've used Fireline, since it's introduction, on many of my spinning rigs. In my opinion, it performs better in spinning applications than do many of the braided lines. Mainly due to the fused manufacturing process, which allows it to cast well through spinning guides; especially without the "sing" that braid has going through those guides. As far as black light visibility is concerned, you'd just have to try some samples it to see if it's to your liking. All I can tell you is that after a couple of decades of use, Fireline (Crystal especially) is my go-to. Highly visible to these old eyes and has never let me down. I'm especially fond of the 2# test Crystal I'm useing on several of my crappie rigs right now.

Another vote for KVD. Gave up on Reel Magic a couple of years ago. Seemed to gum up the roller guide on the bails of my spinning reels. I'm wondering if it (KVD) is of any value with braids or fused lines though?

The Lindner's fishing show this week was dedicated to the Scatter Rap cranks. Interesting, but hardly anything new. I think "Lazy Ike", or one of the older plug manufacturers, had such an offering back in the 80's.

There is one other consideration you might want to look at. It's fine to say you are carrying a .357 magnum revolver. It's quite another to become proficient in it's use. In my opinion, the LCR is fine for .38 Special rounds, based on it's weight. However, if you plan on using it with the heavier magnum rounds, you might want to reconsider. The recoil is pretty tough with a snubnose in .357 Magnum caliber - even with the SP-101. I don't think you'll be doing a lot of range work with the LCR in .357 Magnum, unless you are one tough hombre! I regularly shoot full loads in my SP0101 - not a lot however - even though it's got more heft than the LCR. Recoil is something you have to reconcile with yourself and decide what is in your best interest. No matter what caliber, or make, or style, you choose, you still have to be able to shoot it confidently enough in an emergency situation, to get you out of trouble. There is no short cut to range work. Carrying a magnum alone will not get that job done.

Where abouts are you located in Mass? Western, Central, or Eastern end of the State?

You'd be hard pressed to find a more effective bass bait under just about any conditions. I love Fat Ikas!

Excellent! What state are you fishing in? Here in Mass, we're locked up solid with ice.

Is that something you take fishing with you? Or do you just mount it over your fireplace in place of a Picasso? Kidding....she's a purty alright.

Get a gander of this gizmo! Made for ease of hooking your trailer to your truck. Amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8GdzPW660g I guess all it comes down to is how thick your wallet is!

You usually have to fish a spoon very aggressively in order to get bit. At least that's what I've been told and seen on videos. I have used spoon many times, but gave up on them after a while. These old arms just can't take that kind of punishment for very long! I prefer using blade baits. Less strenuous movement involved and they work just fine. I believe that is because they rely on vibrations more than flash. But I'm no expert on spoons.

Watching Joe Bucher on TV this past weekend got me very interested in the Uncle Josh pork worms. Wacky rigging and stopping the jig in the water, the worm really came alive! Just gotta try this one.

I feel your pain. Here in MA, we have a population of rainbow smelt in the Quabbin Reservoir. I jumped through hoops searching the net on habits of this forage base. Finally got a "somewhat" answer to my questions, but it was a very difficult process. Good luck on your search.

Wish I could find a source for that! Problem is, most rabbit fur is rather short and I believe it's the long, undulating movement of the bucktail jig that makes this family of jigs so effective. Not sure if a short hair jig would be as effective? However, no doubt about it, rabbit is the most lively natural fur there is in the water.

I believe it is, but I couldn't swear to it. It's not the largest size, I know that much. I fish it on a light action 7' spinning rod with 6# Fireline and a 3' section of mono. Great fun! Especially when you tie into a 3 or 4 lb. largemouth.

Great reels! The new Cardinals (i.e.: 101 series) are decent reels too.

Drop shotting is just another finesse presentation that is extremely effective in particular places and times. It is NOT a "power fishing" type of presentation. It was developed and enhansed on the west coast (from Japan) to catch deep, clear water largemouths in tough tournament conditions. When the presentation spread across the country, even kids fishing with their dads could really enjoy some exciting fishing out on the water. I disagree with the notion that it's a "small" bass presentation. I've caught a lot of giants using the drop shot. You just have to know where to put it. If you can locate a good structure with baitfish on it, in relatively deep, clear water, there is probably no better way to put fish in the boat. I've been drop shotting since 2001 and cannot tell you how many quality bass (mostly smallmouths, but some good largemouths as well) I've caught & released over the years, using this presentation. In any case, it is certainly worth your effort to give a whirl. That's what fishing is all about, right?

I've always had my best success in the early part of the season using straight black bucktail jigs tied on a 1/8 oz. head. Slow rolled along the bottom in shallow water, adjacent to steep drop offs. Works well on smallies as well as lake trout.

Is there a reason behind you wanting to use 20# test? The max. I ever use is 10# PP for the main line, with a 6# test fluoro leader. Unless you are "Bubba" fishing for big bass in cover with the drop shot, there is no valid reason to go heavier - in my opinion anyway.

As I said in a previous thread, it is hard to beat a Pointer. However....after listening to and reading about the Lindner's approach to spring jerkbaiting, I actually bought one of the "Hot Head" X-Raps to try this season! Raucously audacious color pattern to be sure. But they (the Lindners) seem to believe it works with clear water smallmouth in the spring. We'll see.

No. It's about fish and the habitat they live in. What structure REALLY is. How to approach finding and catching fish (all species) without the use of a graph or map. Trolling is an integral part of the teachings, but is not the most significant learning tool which Mr. Perry's teachings provide.

Have had great success over the last 1/2 dozen years, with this inexpensive popper/walk-the-dog plug: It's called a "Pop-R" and is the easiest walk-the-dog top water I've ever used. Versatile too....you just slow down and pop it. Do not know how many LM & SM have fell victim to this bad boy!

Oh yes, I've seen and used them indeed! Back in the 70's, Al & Ron Lindner (along with Bill Binkleman), published the "Big Fishing Book", which was distributed in paperback FREE to "Fishing Facts" magazine subscribers. This was to encourage fishing in the mid-west and kick off the basic In'Fisherman philosophy. In that book, they introduced their "worm hook". Here's what it looked like: The Eagle Claw just "curbed" it a bit and had a different eye configuration, but this basic hook from the Lindner's was, and still is, the pattern most modern worm hooks emulated from. You just had to sharpen them constantly! I still have a bunch in an old tackle box in the attic!

Personally I love B n' M rods. I have 3 now and plan on getting another this year, after I see what gift cards I'll be getting when I turn 70 in a month or so! I like the Sam Heaton's Super Sensitive series. Have 2 of the 7' and one of the 9'. Matched with quality UL spinning reels, I catch a lot of crappie, yellow perch and bluegill with these rods. I've also taken several 2 - 3 1/2 lb. largemouths and one 8 lb. northern pike as well with them. Never had a problem.