flippin and pitchin

I was winter steelheading a few years ago and a kid about ten or so was with his dad and it was cold, real cold. I hooked a nice chromer about 14 pounds on a spinner and handed my rod to the kid. It was like magic to see that boy's face. He landed it with a tiny bit of help. That was cool. I got paid by that kid with the best there is to give......simple gratitude and a child's smile.

That !!!!! is what this forum is about.

It's hard to find any fishing show that has balance, entertainment and instruction. I kind of liked the recent Major League Fishing series just aired. Each angler had to run the same boat, electronics and just go figure them out. That was good stuff. The Lessons show was the best. Each angler described their thought processes and described their techniques in detail. Did they show their sponser's stuff ? Heck yes but it was done in good taste. Glenn is spot on. Fishing is a business. The producers of MLF did a great job. I'm not a big fan of Marty Stone, but he did a great job as well. Kudos to him. I hope they repeat it next year.

Nope. I pay for my stuff and and don't care for people who don't a have a reasonable level of self control. Drama queens need not apply.

The company has gone through a real transformation, LCI, Loomis Composites, Loomis and G Loomis and now that Gary sold his interest it's G Loomis by Shimano. Only a G Loomis owner can qualify if they are overrated, they bought and fished them. I've owned several over the years. I sold them and I think I have found rods that better meet my expectations for what they cost me. I got my money's worth.

It's not where any reel is made that dictates the quality, it's the design, materials used and the tooling at the facility. I would be happy fishing just about any company's higher end reels. Personal preference and service/parts has become so much more of a factor in reel choices. I fish with three different brands of casting reels but one brand of spinning, Shimano. You won't see me bad talk any manufacture, not these days.

Doug, If you were in Washington that would leave you about 30 days a year to fish.

My wife's dad died of an exposure enduced melenoma on his neck. She has a scar from her tear duct to her top lip from the same. SPF 100, boonie hat, long pants and shirt and sun gloves all. UV will kill you.

There was news story about Willie Nelson's tour bus stolen recently. HMMMMMMMM.

That's a deal. !!!!

The weather has dictacted everything this year. Abnormally cold temps through early April, low water levels, and high winds. My first outing was April 10th. I have done well with bigger fish but numbers are low. I went out yesterday in 25 MPH 47 degree wind and it hailed on me. I had a seven and one over five and lost three others over three pounds and that was it forover seven ours with the Trolling motor on high all day. I managed my PB largemouth a few weeks ago and got a 5th in a tournament last week end. I can't complain. It wouldn't do any good any way.

Let me make a suggestion. The best place to start is at the beginning. Swimbaits at a catagory will drive you nuts. Get a couple packs 4.5 inch hollow body or soft body baits. Get some 1/8,3/16 OZ weighted wide gap hooks in 4/0 and some 3/8 ounce scrounger heads and fish them around everything you would a spinnerbait or crankbait. You will get bit. Then expand on those baits with larger baits like Hudds and so on. As you develope confidence and will figure out those scenarios and applications for different baits and get a feel for what will work.

If you can pitch with substandard gear, just think what you will do when you get your good stuff in hand. Besides, it's just good therapy to practice and relax.

The Dobyns Champion has a fast tip and some serious back bone. If you fish jigs, it's one of the best jig rods out there. Me personally, I use the Champion 734 for all frog fishing but I don't know what kind of cover you fish.

Older pair of Gortex duty boots,3/4 high. Warm, dry and a gel insole makes them comfortable all day.

Lat year this happened to my buddy right in front of me, TWICE. He switched to a straight shanked flippin hook and landed everything else that bit. Go figure. Are you comportable your rod has the power to set the hook into bone ? Just some thoughts.

I have two MG models. 5.4 to 1 for my light cranking rod, #10 YoZuri and the 7.1 to 1 with #50 braid on my frog rod.

A spinnerbait is one of the best search lures you can use. You can fish it through the entire water column. It stimulates both feeding and reaction bites. I don't fish trailer hooks unless the fish short strike. Most of my skirt styles are long and a trailer is not required although a single tail grub come in handy to keep the bait up at times. I use a medium heavy 3 or 4 power rod because the baits I use have large hooks and a stiffer rod provides hook penetration and the ability to move fish from heavy cover. You can use a spinning rod for pond size baits effectively but once you move up to 3/8 ounce, BC is the deal.

Outstanding day. What a fishery. Great photos too.

The Dobyns Champion 765 Flip was my first Dobyns and would be my choice. I have owned or fished with several flippin-pitchin rods in the last 30 years and the one issue with them has been being tip heavy. This model is the most balanced, neutral rod I have ever owned. Great tip and great power. It's worth every penny. The Savvy 766 is less expensive and it is a beast as well.

It's a tie, 4 inch Maverick Shark and a Robo Worm Goby.

Always try to put five keepers in the boat. Then go after a kicker or two if you think you have the spot and or technique to get them. With your record to date, a limit would be my goal. Most of all, have fun !!!!

Those who use braid still select a test and take diameter into consideration. A 15# braid is the diameter of 6# mono. I use 40# braid for some topwater applications because it floats. I can also use 50# braid for frogs because the diameter is small but I get the stregth of braid, something you need when throwing frogs in slop. Braid offers the benefit of stregnth in a smaller diamemter. Call it insurance. Good question.

What he said.

Great advice. If for any reason, experience the different bites and what they feel like with different lures if the bass are chowing. That will increase your confidence.