Bluebasser86

I probably didn't give it a fair chance but I thought that stuff had terrible memory. It was strong but almost impossible to fish with when I tried it.

If it was a different model I'd take it off your hands for you. I hear all kinds of negatives about it but I have several mojos and I love them. I don't notice them being extremly tip heavy and not sensitive. I do notice I catch a lot of fish with them and they are a tough rod. I've had higher end rods up to custom built G-Loomis rods but for the price I love the mojos. Anyways off my soap box, I'd try the floor protector idea and see if you can get the balance you want.

Xcaliber makes great baits no doubt. I love the Xr50 in both the original model and the oneknocker. The Zell pop and new Erratic shad are both really good baits also. I haven't got to use their new cranks much yet but I'm sure they will be good baits like all the rest have been!

Grubs aren't exciting or flashy baits to fish. I think that is why you don't hear about them a lot. You are right that they are great baits for bass, and about anything else that will eat a lure. I would not feel comfortable going fishing without having some in the boat.

Nice fish, I wish T-shirt and short weather would get here already!

Very nice fish! Sounds like everyone had a lot of fun on the road trip!

I had one get into the trolling motor on me at Table Rock. I was prefishing and it was cold (water in the high 40's low 50's). Hooked a nice 5lber that came straight up and started doing laps around the trolling motor. When I tried to lean forward to get her loose I lost my balance and next thing I know the only part of me that is still touching the boat is my feet and my hands that have a deathgrip on the trolling motor head. Somehow my partner managed to stop laughing long enough to help pull me back into the boat and I landed the fish. Not a fun experience but it's funny to think of now!

I had that happen once when I hooked a 40+lb flathead on 10lb mono fishing for hybrids. I thought I broke off for a split second before my rod stopped and I felt the fish again. I was very lucky I had it hooked in the corner of the mouth because if the hook would have been in the hard part of the mouth by the fishes teeth I'm sure that slack line would have let the bucktail fall out.

People who think that because they have enough money for a ski boat/jet ski it automatically means they know how to operate one. Inconsiderate boat operators who run on plane within casting distace of people fishing. Kids throwing rocks in the water. People who crowd in on the spot you're fishing because you're catching fish. Having someone cruise up and drop the trolling motor right in front of where I was fishing. People who trash the lake, especially fishermen because it makes all of us look bad. I could go on and on but I think I'll stop before I get myself worked up.

I'm sure I'll see you out there. I like the Independence store better than the one in Olathe even though it's further away. I worked at Cabela's in KC in the fishing department for 5 years and trust me getting a paycheck home is hard to do!

There is still several around here. Olathe Bass Club, Backlashers, Leavenworth bass club and others are all around here. I used to fish with the leavenworth bass club and it's a good group of guys but you aren't going to win any money fishing club tournaments buddy!

Caught a 35lb grass carp on 6lb test fishing for bluegill with corn. Caught a 23lb flathead catfish on 4lb test with a Yo-Zuri Aile Killifish http://www.amazon.com/Yo-Zuri-Aile-Killifish-Lures-Color/dp/B004KW63TG This winter I caught 20+lb channel cat on 4lb test with a 2" Berkley Power Minnow on a 1/32oz jighead while fishing for crappie.

I've caught a lot of bass trolling minnows and nightcrawlers on a spinner rig for walleye. It's kind of like one of the pre-rigged creme worms with the beads and spinner in front only a bigger blade.

That looks more like a shad color than a bluegill from the picture. I'm sure it will work but if I was wanting a bluegill imitation I think I'd be a little irritated.

Sometimes dad really does know what he's talking about huh? At least you did get the big kicker fish!

There is nothing like those days you can do no wrong, nice fish!

I have my first one on the way from *** along with my first Mattlure soft gill swimbait. I'm hoping they will both be as good as I keep hearing!

They make an inexpensive sizing tool for rod tips. Just remove the tip like Delaware said and then just put the tip on the tool and see what size you need. It's fast and easy and then you can just order whatever size you need and the brand you want.

I prefer to fish them when the water is warmer and the fish are more active. You can catch fish with them year round but I think there is better options than a swimbait in colder water.

Topwater fishing is fun but I think I get more jacked up over that solid "thump!" when I flip a jig into a brushpile or something. You know it's probably going to be a good one and you're about to get to cross his eyes! Not a lot of places that provide good frog fishing around here though so maybe that's why it doesn't get me as revved up.

They both guard the nest to an extent. The male tends to be the smaller, more aggresive fish on the spawning bed. However, if you catch the male and do not immediately return him to the water the female will usually take over the nest guarding duties and become a lot more catchable.

I don't think the color of the blade makes a big difference but I do have a preference towards a big single colorado blade at night to give off extra thump. In super clear or pressured waters I could see the potential for a willowleaf blade to outfish a colorado though. I've had more luck with a black or dark colored spinnerbait at night but I've also done very well with a plain white bait on dark sky nights when there is no light to sillouete a black bait.

Nice looking fish! I only know of one way to tell the difference between a male or female and it doesn't end well for the fish!

The 7lber that I have on my wall inhaled a little 4F Fat A crankbait and was gillhooked and not going to make it. It was probably close to 100 degrees out and she was belly up floundering on the surface even after several minutes of trying to revive her. The pond I caught her out of was loaded with big snapping turtles and I wasn't about to watch the turtles eat such a nice fish. That is about the only situation I could ever see myself getting a skin mount of a fish. In my mind it's worth spending the extra money for a replica to keep the fish alive.

It's hard to tell because of the angle but I'm guessing somewhere around 4-5 pounds. It's a very nice fish and bigger than lots of people catch after years of fishing for bass! Congrats!