J Francho

That is an improved clinch. I use it with mono and copoly because it's fast and string enough for me.

AKA lose your crankbait knot.

Take a stroll through the Flea Market to see typical wear on reels.

In the club I fished for years, it was a written rule: 100 feet, unless aiding a disabled boat. Many times, I had competitors roll up to chat, though. A couple times, they thought my boat was disabled. They didn't realize that what we were fishing was off shore.

My experience has been it's usually bluegills and sunnies creating all the night time disturbance. They swim fast in a circle to create a whirlpool that sucks the bug under, and then eat it. It happens in a blink of an eye, and is pretty noisy. That doesn't stop me from throwing a topwater at night though.

She's pretty! Congrats! Raising a GSD poses it's own special challenges and rewards. Coltrane says, "Hiya Kya!"

Not in one million years would I trust that duo-lok snap over a good split ring. I use duo-loks extensively with crankbaits - to the point I cut off the little split ring in favor of them - but that is on a moderate action rod with 10# line, and drag set to around 3-4#. I would not trust it using 50# braid, a heavy to x-heavy power rod, and jarring hooksets used in moderate to heavy cover. This homemade rig has never failed: 3/0 Owner Riggin' Hook Big Owner Hyper Wire split ring Little Eagle Claw Lazer oval split ring 1 to 2 oz. pencil trolling weight

Why do trout and salmon stay below the thermocline, and bass generally stay above it? It can't always be that there is no O2? Because it's not true on all lakes. Below the thermocline is cooler water with greater potential for higher saturated O2. There is gas exchange at the thermocline, just as there is at the water's surface. Trout and salmon require cool temps and more saturated O2 than bass, so there must be another explanation. My guess is it's too deep, too cold, not the right forage, and not the right structure. In other words, not suitable for a temperate species when there better environmental conditions in summer.

I don't like the way anything less than 40# braid acts on a BC. What ever connection knot you use, practice tying it, and test it well. For leader, I use Seaguar Blue Label leader. It's tough stuff that's easy to tie, and resists abrasion.

When I was looking at 18' CC jons around ten years ago, I thought the fit and finish of G3 Gator Tough boats was better. Tracker and G3 were the only makes in my area at the time.

You already made a post here, so you know how. It's the same as posting here. Just navigate to the Flea Market: https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/forum/18-fishing-flea-market/ and click Start a New Topic.

Both, plus new products, tips and tricks, stories about technique. Might be good for a beginner or a fan of the sport. For $5 you could get an issue and see if you like it or not. Personally, everything you need is right here, if you look around. There's much more to this site than the forum. There's a HUGE repository of articles and videos covering all topics. BassResource.com is free, as well.

Nice work! Largemouth. The smaller mouth just means it's been well fed and young. This fish is from a a well fed population. Most 18" fish were at least 5 lbs.

Put a WTB post in the Flea Market.

I'd put a TM and bracket up front, update electronics, restore the teak, polish the gel coat, and go fishing. Sweet ride, BTW!

EVA on butt grips is annoying. It catches on your shirt. Cork, plastic, or CF doesn't catch.

I keep forgetting about your steam trick. That's a good one.

Have you read Knowing Crawfish Traps by Dr. Kieth Jones? It's hard to find and expensive but worth it. But seriously, is there anywhere you can just buy some softshells while you heal up? They're a big thing up here at bait shops. Basically freshly molted craws, that fish go crazy for. Then when you're better you can catch your own again. It sounds like it's your injury is the main thing getting in the way because you said you can catch them before. Just an idea.

I like a few magazines in the "executive lounge."

You can dip them in JJ's.

I've gone collecting fish for aquariums, including the pine barrens of New Jersey. We did not use hook and line, since that has the potential to mortally injure the fish. Eneacanthus spp. (Pygmy Sunfish) are characters in an aquarium setting. They remind me a lot of many dwarf Cichlid spp.

I still like a printed magazine as well. They’re getting harder to read without cheaters tho, lol. This thread reminded me that I’m no longer getting the magazine. I have been getting it for over a decade, despite never subscribing. I haven’t seen one in the mail in a year maybe.

I’ve never caught a fish on one either.

Rubber band slip knotted to the guide. Apply heat gently while stretching the rubber band.

Those are just casts, and they get used with all sorts of baits, not just jigs and Texas rigs. Cover, how I want to bait to act, and what’s under that cover have more weight on what I tie on than any particular cast.