twitchfish

AND - I am just cleaning the rod guides with clean water. I do the Q-tip trick too and all guides seem fine, is there anything I should be treating them with also?? Thanks - Twitch

Has gotten warm and muggy in Illinois finally and that really fine particulate moss has started back on my favorite spots. Since this has happened, 2 of my reels have started misbehaving. One, a BPS Extreme widespool, the level wind hangs up on one side of the reel until I apply some pressure then it runs properly til it returns to that side. I have taken it apart as much as I am comfortable and cleaned it by hand and given it a through bath under running water. Still does it though from time to time. What should I do next? Tried to take apart the worm gear, but was a nightmare to put it back together. Other reel, a Black Max, is getting a slight catch in the retrieve. Almost like there is something in the spool or gear. I have not tried to take it apart. It does not, however, seem to have the button to release the side plate, but there are screws, so I assume that is where to start. As always, thanks for your help, Twitch BTW, I guess the moral to the story is, my Quantum and Shimano reels that fish in the same crap all the time are not having this problem yet (will they??) are still performing admirably. Hope they keep it up, but if not I have been told maintenance on those reels is much easier??

I am sure this has been beat to death somewhere, but after dilligent search, I can't find it. If I use 10-12# line (Yo-Zuri so higher breaking strength) on a rod rated for 17-25, do I risk anything? Do I lose anything? Hookset strength? Sensitivity? Fish? Thanks in advance Twitch

Raul, If not too much PIA, can you send pics of the toothpick trick? Since going to rings, I seem to gut hook a few. Not a ton, but one is too many in my book. Soft-strikers are my biggest problem wacky rigging. Thanks - Twitch

The Megastrike seemed to help me. They stuck it much more "enthusiastically" and held on. I use a H/Extra-Fast rod Team All-Star. $80 @ Dick's. My problem is only pulling the pooper out of my frog and not the fish. JUST WAIT TWITCH!! Twitch

RoLo, If you ever publish your field guides, I would like an autographed copy. Twitch

Tremendous fish! Twitch

Is there a really good jig fishing video? I have used the BPS video library and watched a few on Tackle Warehouse, any others?

Before you stuff the ear-plug in your tube, soak it with Megastrike. Don't be bashfull either, slather it all over that plug. It floats nice and tastes great!! Don't forget Lake Fork Ring Frys and Zoom Centipedes for when the time comes to downsize. They make great C-rigs. Twitch

In the same position. Luck lately with the large BrushHog. Weightless or with an unpegged 1/4 oz bullet weight, gotta let em know dinner is ready. I make as much commotion entering thewater as possible and then just kill it, for as long as I can stand it. The other thing I do to the BrushHog is remove thos little arms immediately distal to the head and also the longer tentacles, it seems to not gather as much gnuk on the way back. Dark colored, weightless *** Sticks Texas weedless have always produced well in the slop too. Have recently tried the Trick Worms too, but not much to report from those. Frogs on really hot mornings have worked well too, no matter where you throw them. Let us know, Twitch

That is absolutely awesome. That boy gots mad skills. All the best, Twitch

The picture in my avatar. When "learning" spinnerbaits, went to Gander and Walmart and bought in bulk, figuring on losing most because still not deadly accurate with the baitcasters yet. Learned well after some guidance from a good friend and have been catching fish on them since. I am going to buy me a really nice spinnerbait now. Went and got a $6 dollar model at the recommedation of the BPS guy. Only got one. Was ripping this thru some cover I felt in about 4' of water bouncing it off this tree, I was positive it was a tree or log because same spot everytime. 10th cast in the same spot it stopped dead in it's tracks and I thought had finally hung it up. That's when I wrestled this character to the surface. That picture is as far as I got him out of the water and almost donated him a pair of pliers too trying to get that spinner bac. I have started buying in bulk again. Twitch

SHHHEEEEooot, I've gone home with a fat girl once a bunch of times.

I got pictures!!! Not the best quality, BUT I GOT ME SOME PICS!! Thanks DM and Skillet. Twitch

Went out Late Sunday evening to test a "new" frog set-up. Went to a small park pond that I am sure is not more than 2-3 years old. It is beautiful, lots of lily pads and points and lily pads and park "traffic" and pads. I love lily pads. I did not expect to catch anything. Did not grab any extra tackle, no pliers, no knife, no fathers day present scale that the gifters still ask how it is working, no nothing - frog rig and and extra frog. By the way, sandals too. perfect for your municipal weed lined mosquito farm. I fully expected not to catch anything anyway, it was almost dark and I just wanted to throw this frog. About five casts in and nice 2 1/2#er screams out from under these pads and HAMMERS this frog. This thing did just like the videos out of the water and mashes it. Luckily, just barely hooked, landed, dehooked and released. But, in the excitement, I have sank up to my ankles in this wet mucky sand. Pull my feet out and move to the next point, consider going back to the truck, which is FEET away and grabbing the necessities, I don't, I go fish. Apparently, someone is hiding some fish in here. No takers for prob the next 50-60 casts. It is getting really dark and I move one more time to an even softer, sandier, muckier point. I tell myself 10 more casts and I'm out. Cast one, I sink and to make it even better a nice professional overrun, in the dark. I pick and pick and finally free it, reel it, look up and my line is swimming off. I set the hook and it is on. I am sinking, losing my balance and this girl comes out of the water once and....oh, my. I put down my rod and finally get enough balance to land her, losing both shoes. This frog is deep and I don't have anything, not even a shoe to get it out. Remarkably, on the secend grab of the hook it easily comes out. She looks tired, I am tired. A quick cell phone pick and I walk her back to the water and caress her til she swims off. I gather myself to the bank and step on the tip of my rod. Poop. Dig up my shoes, gingerly grab my rod, not broken thankfully, but the reel is face down in this mess. It is caked in this stuff to the point you can't see line. I cleaned it as well as I know how, but what else needs done? In this situatioon would a freshwater rinse do? Leave the line on when I do it? I opened it and the spool and guts seemed very clean. I don't want a future problem if I can prevent it now. AND that shoiddy cell phone picture is too big to post. I have 2pics and if someone can guide me how to resize it, I would love to show it. This is the biggest fish of the year and possibly ever. I have multiple 6 pound fish I have caught over the years and this girl wildy outweighed them. I had a really nice scale in the truck I got for Father's Day. She measured about 21" via my rod handle. All I have to show now is a couple of cell phone pictures that I am VERY proud of. Reminds me of the punchline of an old joke, "The old guy says but Father, I'm telling EVERYBODY". "The man who catches a big fish doesn't go home through the alley". I want to take mine to the Main Street of Bass Fishing. Thanks for letting me ramble. Thank you all for your help and entertainment. Be well all, Twitch

Need some help. Got a GREAT deal on a GLoomis BCR855 on which I put a reel that has some 17# Trilene 100% Floro on it. Bought 17# because could not find 14-15# that I really wanted. I cannot get this line to behave at all. Not at all. I have phone cords that don't coil this much and the stiffness is making casting difficult also unless really on the A-game or completely tuned. What do I do? Turdcan it? Stick with the 100% and go smaller? Completely change line? I want to use this rod as well as possible because all indications are it is a superb rod. How much better performing will it be with Floro or Braid or Co-Poly or Mono? This still cost me more than ever spent before on anything fishing related and want my money's worth out of it. Also what reel would mate well with it? My thoughts are T-rigs, jigs, C-rigs flip, pitch and cast with it. Thanks in advance for your help. Twitch

Seems kinda hokey. How do you feel anything with that rubberband dancing around? I really appreciate the link, Crestliner, but think I will pass. I am a huge fan of the Stand-out hook though. Twitch

Big fan of the Strike King Bleeding Tube. Don't buy into the whole "bleeding" thing, but they are hefty, thick tubes. I like to soak earplugs with Megastrike and stuff them in the tube for buouyancy on a C-rig and a little extra lovin, and for whatever reason those tubes are easy to stuff. You will burn through some tubes once you start and these seem to last a little longer. Twitch

Raul told me in another thread that the Wiggle Rig was a drop shot with a rubber band. Can you gentlemen help me with this more? How to? When to? Why to? Mostly how to make it?? Also, I remember a Mojo Rig that involved a light cylindrical weight with clips or hooks on the weight that would hang it on moss or grass and dangle the bait below the moss or grass mat. Anybody know if these are still around? If not is there a way to make your own? Here in the middle of Illinois, alot of my favorite holes are really getting grassed in and I am looking for more efficient ways to fish them. I don't mind picking snot and grass if i know there is a prize inside. What is the best gear to present that rig on also? Maybe my new BCR855? Thanks again, you fellas are a tremendous help. Twitch

I received 3-4 in bags of "Armed Robbery" and 1 Beaver caught 5 mostly dinks but one was 3 1/2#er. I think Brent told us he had access to 140 colors, so I can't see any reason to think I won't find something I like. I tend to stay away from the "disco" colors anyway. Very impressed so far with ***. No need to buy anything but a Sweet Beaver T-shirt now from Reaction. Twitch

DIBS!!! On 2 each of the first bags of soft plastics!! WHEW!! I win. Twitch....the winner.

Wiggle rig? Is it a different name for something else?

Wiggle Rig?

Used alot of Senkos. Grew weary of replacing after every fish and a half and went to YumDingers. Not sure why, but the few I tried did not have the action it seemed I wanted, back to Senkos. Quickly, even Bait (BaitMonkey, we are on a first name basis now) says "Twitch, these are costing us a fortune". Tried the Ocho and really liked the Ocho and # fish before dumping it is technically better than 1 1/2. THEN, thanks to you all, was introduced to this great company called ***! Only bought 3 bags each of "Dent-n-Dings" and "Armed Robbery". Went to a spot I always catch fish and (I am NOT exagerating) FIFTEEN FISH later replaced Brent's first stick. I don't think I will change back. Twitch

Have been hardcore any craw for NetBait. Paca, Baby Paca, Paca Chunk, but have been throwing the Money Craw from Yum a little lately toward the end of the northern spawn with much success. I still buy every bag of NetBaits I find, but the Money Craw has been getting some play too. the hollow body reminds me f tjhe Pacas but the appendages seem to be a little more subtle and a little more durable if I am in heavier cover. I also rig all any way imaginable. Twitch