tholmes

I LOVED those Gillraker worms! My stash finally ran out a few years ago and I've discovered that there are numerous options for ribbon-tail worms. Culprit, Berkeley, Yum, etc., but I still miss thsoe Gillrakers. Tom

I'd rate 2015 as below average in both numbers and size. I had back surgery in the spring which kept me from fishing through most of April and May and slowed me down for most of the summer. I only caught a handful of 5+ lb. fish and only about a half-dozen smallies. This year, my back is fully recovered and I'm positive it will be a better year. Tom

+ on both of the above. I've had pretty good results with the smallest size Rebel Crickhopper too. Tom

Although all of my baitcasters are the same brand, I'm all over the map with rod brands. I have ABU, Berkeley, Fenwick, Quantum, BPS, and several others. Even an Ugly Stik. They all suit me for their intended purpose and that's all that matters. Tom

Tom

Catfish bait. That's what I use it for. I've also used it for trolling Storm Big Macs for freshwater stripers. It's strong, tough stuff, but not the most castable line out there. Tom

I probably have a half dozen different brands of lipless cranks in my tackle box. I've caught fish with all of them at one time or another. Just keep trying them until you find what works on that day and in that location. Tom

I have a 1972 Abu 5000C that still sees regular use. It's had the left sideplate replaced with one from a 6000C so it has a bait clicker. It's on an old Berkeley Roughneck rod and gets used mostly for flathead fishing. Tom

I'm the proud Great-grandpa of Carson Aaron Armstrong, born Wed. afternoon. He weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. on a certified scale, 18" long. My wife and I are temporarily in charge of his 2 yr. old big brother until Mom gets out of the hospital. Good times! Tom

We need pics! Tom

Wiggle Wart. Even the new ones catch fish Tom

Spools for one of these Tom

Big Game for almost all baitcasting applications, Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Cabela's house brand mono for spinning. Tom

My tackle is the same way. The thing is, I know exactly where everything is. Tom

Tom

Thanks for posting this! It's always interesting to see what fishermen in other places are catching. Those things have some pretty fierce teeth! Tom

I've been using Pro-Tec powder paint for years and have never had any problems that weren't due to my own ineptitude. I use a different approach to heating my jig heads though. I heat them in an old toaster oven, hanging on the wire rack, set at about 375 degrees. I can heat about 20 at a time. I take them out and dip them and hang them on another rack. When the whole batch is painted, I back the temp on the oven down to about 325 and put the painted jigs back in to cure for 25 minutes or so. Tom

Congrats on your first jig fish! Be careful, though. Jig fishing can be addictive. There are so many different types of jigs; hair jigs, feather jigs, etc., that are all effective, and in sizes from small fractions of an ounce to well over 1 ounce. And all will work at some time. You could spend a lifetime learning to fish "jigs". Ive been fishing them for over 50 years and I'm not even close to "mastering" the jig. Tom

I really don't amass large quantities of jigs. I make 'em over the winter and lose 'em during bass fishing season. Tom

I never use snaps on crank baits. I tie directly to the split ring or eye, depending on the lure. This forces me to re-tie when I want to change lures, but that's not always a bad thing, as it gives me a chance to check the line for nicks and scuffs. Tom

7-1/2" or 10" ribbon-tails, any brand will do. Colors: Tequila sunrise, red shad, junebug, black, watermelon, green pumpkin. Tom

I've been carrying a Gerber compact multi-tool for about 15 years. My wife bought it for me for my birthday, and it's been the most useful gift I've ever received. I use (and sometimes abuse) it almost every day. The tools that I use the most (in order) are the pliers, knife, screwdrivers, and scissors. The only tool on it that I've never used is the can opener. The one thing I wish that it did have is a file. It's held up remarkably well. I had to replace the sheath about 5 years ago, but other than that, no problems at all. Tom

Which Lure Would You Trout Fish With? The shiny ones. Tom

That was my first thought also. Those look really good! Tom

I like 'em! Tom