tholmes

Shad, bluegill, craw and chartreuse. One of these colors will catch bass in any water that I've ever fished. It's up to you to figure out which one will work in a given situation. Some days, it doesn't seem to matter. Tom

Abu Vendetta 7'M/fast (fishes somewhere between M and MH). Abu Record 40, 10lb. Trilene Big Game. For the 3/4 oz. 7'6" MH/Mod. Fenwick (I can't remember the model, it's old, and so am I), Abu Ambassadeur 5600C4 Mag., 12 lb. Big Game. Tom

Results are what's important, not names. They either catch fish or they don't. I'm bettin' on the former. Tom

My go-to t-rig is a 7" ribbon-tail worm, Culprit, Power Bait, Yum, etc. Brand doesn't seem to make much difference. Tom

Coming soon - technique specific rods, reels and lines for fishing the Damiki rig. Get 'em while they're hot! Tom

Big Game. It's 1/4 the price of Suffix Siege, and 1/2 the price of P-Line and every bit as good (or better) than either one, IMHO. Tom

I don't own a baitcasting combo that cost over $200 I don't like braid, and I DETEST flouro line And the biggest blasphemy of all... Largemouth bass are not my favorite fish to catch. There just the most available to me. Tom

Like Crestliner said, those old Ambassadeurs are pretty easy to work on, compared to some of the more modern designs. There are probably some online tutorials on youtube that will point you in the right direction. If you lived close to me, I'd take a look at it for no charge Good luck, I'm sure you can figure it out! Tom

I have a 6'6" ultra-light that's been my favorite trout/panfish rod for 20 years. I don't have any experience with the newer models, but I've heard good things about them. Tom

In order for brain damage to occur, there must first be a brain present. I see no supporting evidence of that in either of those two morons. Tom

Being a frugal (cheapskate) angler, I use Trilene Big Game on my baitcasters and Cabela's house brand on spinning reels. Tom

I use the ones that I tie myself. Buck tail, craft fur, kip tail, squirrel tail, there's a lot of choices out there. Tom

Or maybe color # 53? Look at the eye color. Tom

Enjoy every minute that I'm out fishing. Take my grandkids (and great-grandkids) fishing more. Pass along my love of the outdoors and fishing to as many people as possible. Tom

This^, plus having to take a break every couple of hours to rest my back. Tom

Medium/moderate-fast for treble hook baits, Medium-heavy/fast for single hook baits, Heavy/ex-fast for frogs. Tom

8" pole barn nail through the spool and clamped in my benchtop vise has worked for years. For spinning reels, just stand the spool on the floor, make sure the line is coming off of the spool in the proper direction and wind 'til it's full. No need to over-complicate things. Tom

Bomber Long A. Tom

I fish the way it's most comfortable for me. Rod in my left hand, reel with my right hand. Don't overthink this. Do what feels best to you. Tom

I have several rods that are 20+ years old. I still catch fish with them, so I don't see any reason to get rid of them. Tom

Around here, it's catfish bait! Tom

Same here. We've got about 1/2" and it's still coming down pretty good. I'm hoping it doesn't get bad enough that I get called in to work. Tom

Norman. Any of them. They make a crank for any depth from shallow to 20+ feet in a vast array of colors. Great quality and reasonably priced. Tom

Johnson's Silver Minnow spoons. I've caught a lot of bass on these in the past, but haven't tied one on for a long time. I don't really know why. I think I'll dig 'em out this spring and give 'em a try. Tom

With slip bobbers, I use a piece of a thin rubber band as a bobber stop, and put a small craft bead between the bobber and the stop. Leave the ends of the rubber band about 1/2" long and it will cast through the guides on a spinning rod. Tom