flippin and pitchin

I always try to learn something on every trip. I also like to apply something I have learned and if it helps me figure the fish out that is icing on the cake. Helping someone learn and or enjoy an outing is the absolute best.

My local tackle shop had a parking lot sale with Reaction Strike HB swimbaits for $1.97 a pkg. so I am set for quite a while.

I try to limit my purchases to major holidays like, Christmas, my birthday, fathers day, George Washington's birthday, Boxer Day, 4th of July, Canada Day, Victoria Day, Administrative Professionals Day, the release date of Avatar on DVD, and so on. I can't handle frivolous impulse buying.

Terrible bait. Especially with a 5/0 Owner Twist Lock hook and 5/16 pegged bullet sinker on flourocarbon pitched around lilly pad edges. Capitol L for looser.

To all, Have a happy and safe 4th of July !!! Take a member of the armed forces fishing ! F and P

This is a sad commentary on what is pure rudeness. The person who acted so poorly most likely has the same or a similar attitude in his other behaviors. You were and are the sportsman and the gentleman in this scenario. Enjoy the rest of your fishing season !!!!!!

Just took a peek on Tackle Tour and they have a pre release feature on the Revo Premier spinning reel. Looks pretty nice but it's a spendy piece.

I've made the move to straight shank hooks and so far the hook up ratio seems to be better than the EWG style on thicker bodied baits like RI Beavers. BUT, No more Trokars. The points roll over. Youvella's rust like a cheap pair of needle nose pliars. I like the shrink tube collar bait holder so I'm making my own and placing them on Owner straight shank 3X flipping hooks. I think this might be the deal. We shall see.

Yesterday was clean up the boat and sort tackle day, so based on bag counts: YUM ZOOM Strike King Yamamoto Big Bite Reacation Innovations Outlaw Baits Dry Creek Assorted odds and ends

Creature bait, jig, tube, Senko in that order. Brands and models vary.

Glen is pretty much on when it comes to grass carp. My home lake was becoming choked out with cabbage weed, coontail and another species I can't name. After years of debate the fisheries department agreed to plant grass carp. It was planned for 2800 STERILE fish to be dumped. The actual number is in dispute but I heard 28,000 thrown out. They ate all the leafy vegetation in three years. What reed beds there were were gone, same with any dollar pads. The lilly pad field this lake is known for are now cut in half. The water quality has suffered and the carp are still plentiful when they should have died off by now. The lake incurred the worst algae bloom in 40 years last year and it was the worst year for bass fishing I have ever experienced.

Cranking is at times frustrating. You whack em' or you get a bite or two. I start with depth, vibration and then color. Example: I fished smallies on the Oregon Multomah Channel and after 30 minutes found the active fish were around 6 feet and on rock. I tried a wide wobble and got bit. I went to a Speed Trap, tight wobble, and the fish liked them just fine. I threw 4 colors and they ate them all, but, in all honesty, each color did show up well in the slightly stained water. Finally, vary your retrieves. I try to apply this process when ever I feel a crankbait is a viable tool. Hope this helps a little.

Several manufactures are or will be flushing 2009 and even 2010 models out this fall. My local tackle dealer has had sales on the Revo S in right hand for $69.97 ( sold out ) and recently the Revo STX left hand for $99.97 ( sold out ) and Revo Toro 51 and 61 for $99.97. Be a shopper and you won't have to pay MSRP or full retail for any reel.

I bought my first Bandit, 100 series back when they offered about six colors. Tennesee Shad. I want to say it was about 1988. Got a box full and love em'.

Rod blanks are made by the application of heat and pressure. Blanks are baked at 275 dgrees give or take. I wouldn't worry about the blank or any quality epoxys used. If one material expands at a rate other than what it's attached to, that could be problematic. Remember the old story that you should never store a graphite rod on a metal nail ? It was supposed to weaken the blank. Everyone was using wood dowels to save their rods. Some one start a thread on the old wive's tales of bass fishing. I dare ya.

Al Lindner's show just addressed that very issue. I read a study several years ago that showed certain lures are less prone for which bass to become conditioned. That lure was the plastic worm. Go figure.

I would go with a higher end 5 to 1 ratio cranking reel. Buy what ever brand you have confidence in, they all offer a crankbait model, i.e., Revo, Curado, Zillion and so on. At least consider a glass or dedicated crankbait model rod in what ever length you prefer, i.e., 6-6 or 7 foot. If you choose an all graphite, look for a slower action. You're fishing smaller treble hooked lures and the slower action has some " forgiveness" to it and will help with hook ups and staying hooked up. There's a bunch of manufactures who have dedicated crankbait rods. Loomis, St Croix, Falcon, Dobyns, Lamiglas and Quantum are just a few. This set up category is huge for personal preference in brands. Just look for low ratio, softer action and quality construction and performance. You should be able to get a great set up for $270.00 to $450.00. Good luck !

I like the BPS XPS Slim Dog. It is one bait, for the money, that is worth tryng.

Swimbait on a scrounger head. Rattlin Vibe

drop shot or Mojo/split shot

Neither. The absence of the fore grip is what is important. I love the ability to lay a finger directly on the blank. The missing cork on the rear saves about 15 grams. It looks pretty trick though.

The depth, water clarity, structure, cover and species will be more relevant to what you throw than the weather scenarios. I understand what you are aiming for but you might add the other components to the conditions.

There was no reason for Chokars to roll a point. I was pitchen' into holes where pads are next to celary beds and buck brush. It's not like I was fishing rip rap. I saw a guy at the entrance of a Dick's Sporting Goods yesterday with a cardboard sign, " FORMER BASS ELITE SERIES PRO....WILL WORK FOR TROKARS." His tennis shoes were yellow.

Fat Boy is a great bait. Bomber Balsa, Sisson Balsa, Bomber Fat A, Rapala Thug. The list goes on.

I'm with basspack but like Yamamoto twin tails alot with an Eakins jig.