zbass

Welcome

You're gonna have a blast. Going as a co can be a riot. I've done it a couple of times and have nothing but good thing to say. One thing you will wnat to remember is to travel light. Don't over pack a tackle box. Take the things that you have confidence in and don't worry about the rest. Try to throw something a little different than the pro. You are going to have to show the fish something different to get bit behind the seine net in the front of the boat. I only took 4 rods with me in the boat. Also a medium sized tackle bag. I had a truck full of stuff to choose from but kept it light in the boat. Don't try to outfish your pro. Yes you are competing for money and shelled out money to be there, but think how it would be if someone came to your job and tried to out work you or tell you how to do your job. My experience is if you treat them with respect you will get the same in return. Most of all, HAVE FUN!!!!

X2

Z's custom hand poured 8" spaddle tail worm

Welcome

Welcome

Welcome

Welcome. Do the bass have an accent over there?

Welcome.

Pretty much the same as the other northern guys. I'll be making my "New for 09" baits here pretty soon so that will ease some tensions.

There are plenty of musky fisherman around here that throw big stuff like that and they catch bass with them. Big bass!!! FL. would be a fine place to throw those.

"Man Cave" I've got one two. Two car garage that is pretty much full of fishing stuff. Built a room inside the man cave for my baitmaking and tackle storage. It's heated too!!! I thinks that's more than a closet, I think !

X2 Also take into consideration water temp and time of year. It is always easier to start shallow and move deeper. You can cover more water quicker by starting shallow. The deeper water takes a little longer to pattern than the shallow stuff. It has been mentioned before, fish your strengths.

Uderstanding the bottom. I got an Aqua-vu camera and after that I was able to understand more of what my electronics were telling me. When I would go over something I would throw out a bouy and go over and over the area to learn the "lay of the land" so to speak. then I will drop the camera down and see what was there. Has it helped me catch more deep fish, YES. Will it help someone else, YES.

Thanks man. That confirms a couple of theroies I had. Have you thought of testing knot strength? I saw that a few years ago on a fishing show. that would be interesting.

I think they look great. I hope my first ones look that good, whenever I get around to painting them.

I have used sharpies on everything from traps to flukes. The reaction baits I was never worried about any scent. When a trap come by at 7.2-1 speed, the fish doesn't have the time to smell it and decide whether or not to hit it. A small change in color though, may make a difference in whether you get bite or not. The soft plastics are a little different. First of all the ink bleeds on the plastic. It will also bleed on the skirt material. If you want to change or modify the color a little you may add a few strands of the contrasting color as opposed to using a sharpie.

I've been using the heat shrink tube for a few years now and have had no issues with it. I don't bother heating it up if it doen't fit just right. You can get many different sizes and use them for your trick worms also. I run the hook thru the shrink tube and have not lsot a fish or a bait before it's time.

Do you have a boat? If you are fishing from shore, that will be challenging in that part of IN. A watermelon senko type bait wacky rigged will work in just about any lake you go to in this state. Also a lipless crank bait is a good search lure for your shallow areas. I am familiar with some of the lakes in the north central and north west protiion of the state but not too many where you are.

I use winter to recharge my batteries and I'm not talking the ones on the boat. I lived in Fl. for 6 years. It was great but the winter has it's benefits. Make new baits from scratch, maintain equipment, get new ideas, try some new things and CURSE THIS @#$@# @#$%$% WEATHER!!!!! I'm ready to get out there!!!

That's great you and your wife get out together. Who cares if she tans, at least she's there with you. My wife and I tournament fish as partners for the last ten years. A lot of good times. Congrats on the fish. Be carefull, Kim Bain might be in trouble.

All Terrain gets my nod! They have several different models to suit your needs.

'96 Stratos 288VR 150 Fast Strike. Love It!!Lowerance electronics Motor Guide tour edition 82# 3" Jack plate.Gps at 68 mph! Of course that is not a tournament load speed.

All of the above plus a larger line diameter.

Amen