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Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Kurita caught the PREVIOUS Japanese record bass on a roman made?? I think it was 18 pounds.

That setup is actually very nice. Is that rod rated H or MH?? Either way it should work great and as you get more comfortable you'll figure out what you may prefer later on, longer rod, rod strength.....I'd start with a 1 to a 1 1/4 ounce tungsten, should get you through most anything on the water unless you go to Big O.

I personally have never used the Miller punching weights and I don't think there will be reason for me to do so. Most tungstens I have tried have worked well. Generally speaking, depending on how compacted the matts are, I'll punch with 1oz to 1.5oz. Trailers, I keep it simple, netbait paca craws and you may consider adding a punch skirt which my help it slide through the matt better and give a different profile. As skeet22 mentioned, he covered punching gear, might I add a high speed reel with a fairly stout rod in the 7+ foot range. I just started about a year and half ago and it is fun!

All the pictures with this crank show some very nice stout looking hooks, maybe owner st hooks? I hope it comes with these so they don't have to be changed out.

I wish Ken would make a 4 inch version of these!

I use a swimjig with a stout hook at least 5/0 size, I prefer 6/0 though. I pair it with a 316 lure company little booger and I secure it with a small tie wrap near the head. This area is pretty concealed by the skirt and will alow you multiple fish without any damage to the swimbait. In all it makes a nice small presentation that is also fairly weedless or for bottom presentations. Weight of the jig is up to you to determine depending on how you fish it. I use 3/8 up to 1 ounce. That little booger really has an enticing wiggle to it and it gets bit like crazy.

gobig, you nailed it man. You just never know what is going to work contrary to everything you read about bass. I think you're dead on about big fish having there own rules.

Wow, I really like the sound of this, too bad it wasn't out 4 months ago! I have been waiting for a big oversized crankbait that I can plow through deep water.

Spot on brother, when trophy hunting even a follow can give you that next clue to get that big one and it is exciting just to see that DD just eyeballing your bait as eventually she nonchalantly turns and swims away. Fun fishing is completely different and I'd take small bass over skunk any day doing that!

SirSnook same here on the west coast. I hope after the water cools a bit more they will get more active. I like fishing but it's hard work somedays just to get bit!!! I need to get back out on the boat...

Dont vacation in Lee County, Fort Myers area, they have effectively closed most accessible fishing areas to the public. If you have a boat visit near the desired areas like central florida or Lake O.

Same, soft swimbaits I usually toss huddlestons. I prefer the most realitic looking swimbaits when I'm fishing slow with a hudd. The only reason I do so is by chance I get it near a big old wise bass I want less negative cues (visually) to turn that big girl off.

That's a personal preference. Fish the way that makes you happy man.

I get what you're saying and agree, leave em alone for the sake of the family!!!

As far as generalizations go, I think they are just that. I don't know how many times I've gone out thinking a certain pattern would work based on the conditions given only to find bass doing something completely different.

My presumption would be the fish caught in shallower water may have been active feeding bass hunting the shoreline(juveniles possibly a well), the bass in the deeper water were probably more of a resident type in the deeper haunts where they feel protected where you're lures were being dropped right on the dinner table!

Looks like it!!! Good stuff having Mike on these forums. Super good guy! Welcome and Glad you're here! Tony

The hamatta jig, Japanese translation what a bass says when hooked, "I'm stuck!"

I made a long cast one time and when I started reeling in my line I also discovered the line was broke. No backlash, no fish hit my bait, just a broke line. Upon further inspection, I noticed there was a crack in one of my eyelets on the guide that was cutting the line and after enough casts and retrieve it would break completely. After this I never let my poles drop and am always double checking my eyelets.

I saw the east coast was getting hit with rain from the outer bands last night already?? Today would be a good day for us to be out and I considered it, but the conditions on Lake O would probably be to rough for my little boat to handle on the main lake.

Agree with both posts. I use 25# Pline CXX and rig it BB way, not exact as I tie with 80 pound braid to the eye, but same concept.

Congratuations man! Why only four days a week! j/k Wish you the bestand thanks for all he help you give here on the forums. Some good people here in S. Florida!!

All great answers. Being summer I'd defi.itely punch with a.heavy tungsten braided line.

+2 if you catch a bass walk a several feet away from the bank and don't turn your back from it. I've had hungry gators chase me up the bank at nights. They can feel vibrations in the water from a long way away.

Swimming in the tamiami canals!! Lol I've seen gators pushing 12 feet in there. Hazardous pay, haha, you couldn't pay me enough!