Ratherbfishing

Last night I spent the better part of an hour (maybe longer) trying to change out some hooks on some small Rebel Crickhoppers). I'd gotten it into my head that they were too small (thus missing and/or losing some fish) and wanted to upscale a size or two (to, I think #10's or 12's-I can't recall which). They were small, alright. Or, more accurately, the split rings were small. Even WITH my reading glasses, I could scarcely see to change them-let alone get my fat fingers into place to hold the rings steady or spread them. I've seen images of people "flagellate" themselves with sharp chains or whips for religious reasons but if they REALLY want to torture themselves, I can give them a few pointers.

Depends upon what method you are going to use. For vertical jigging, a basic marabou jig can't be beat. For trolling, a smaller Berkley Flicker Shad or Rapala Shad Rap are good choices. Berkley gulp minnows on a small jig head are killer, too.

I wouldn't fish this but it makes a great mobile.

This is hardly original but the following saying comes to mind: "When I die, I hope my wife doesn't sell my gear for what I said I paid for it."

I don't know but if it can support an entire SUV and not flip, I gotta get me one ; )

Green sunnies show no fear.

Last evening I was out in pursuit of bass at a local pond. The bass weren't cooperating very well BUT I could see disturbances on the surface film. If figured if I can't beat 'em, I might as well join em so I tied on a Rebel Crickhopper (essentially a hard plastic grasshopper with a diving bill) and chased sunnies instead. In some instances they (especially the crappie) grabbed it while I was swimming it but by-in-large they charged up to the surface to grab it. It was like how they behave when they are on their nest in the spring. I lost many as the hooks were just too small to grab and hold effectively but I still caught quite a few. Anyway, it's still not too late for some late season panfish for those who appreciate such things.

I do believe there was a major shift in the earths polarity.

Yaks. Not nags. ; )

Unless you are going to replace it, I'd just get a dremel tool and shave it off smooth.

Forest Gump would take umbrage to this.

This is where I AM an idiot. Perhaps I can-after some time. I hadn't thought to try this but that should be illuminating (maybe).

There are too many different "Raps" out there to keep any of them straight.

Good luck with the surgery! Mobility is sooooo key to fishing (and everything else). I want/hope to retire before my age (and general decrepitness) spoils it for me. I have heard stories of people who dragged out retirement (so they could get more money) and then wound up getting sick and dying 6 months after they finally do retire. I feel for them, of course, BUT I don't want that to be me.

Wayne's screen shots are MILES away from what I generally see. I wish I had a large pool in which I could place different objects of different shapes and at different depths to practice. But then again, I have "driven" directly over known objects (ensuring the transducer was right on top of-for the down imaging) and, generally, very little to report. I've changed the settings (including range) with little to report except, for instance, a different color. The regular 2D sonar seems to be fine but the other modes, not so much. And if all I wanted was an improved 2d sonar, I could have spent considerably less.

Sorry, my reaction may have been a little too strong. Not seeing things clearly and not at all are two different things. Usually there is nothing. At what depth do you have to be in before things are "seen"?

I KNEW someone would say this. I'm not an idiot, however.

While even the shadow rap does not truly suspend (they either rise or sink slowly-depending on the model), the original floater (without alterations) does not suspend at all. So they don't count as such. BUT I do agree with you that they are great subsurface runners.

I'll probably receive the wrath of some of the more devout advocates on this forum and be labeled an apostate (or, worse still, a troll), BUT I had high(er) hopes for the side-imaging feature on my Helix 7 and, frankly, I'm not all that impressed. I have heard I should upgrade to a better transducer but even without it (I opted not to), I had expected to see SOME images to the side of my boat (albeit, perhaps, "fuzzier"). I've driven past KNOW features (I could SEE them it the water) and will carefully study the screen religiously to watch for ANY sign of them. But even when they were CLEARLY within the range setting and in reasonably deep water, unless it's the size of a large tree, MOST of the time...nothing. And the down imaging, too, has been a disappointment. I've gone directly OVER stumps and sunken steel barrels (things that should stand out like a sore thumb), etc. without so much as a whiff on the screen. RARELY does it ever look even remotely like the demo mode. The only feature I tend to use with regularity is the "traditional" sonar which IS clearer and useful. How CRITICAL is the transducer placement?

I'll trade with you (if I can subtract my age too).

If you want future generations of large panfish, keep the medium-sized ones and release the large ones.

I'm sorry. Is there a fish in this picture?

If it's not broken, don't fix it.

MY experience with it is that the knots do not hold (not palomar anyway).

I'm near the the home of the "Struggling Illini" (Urbana-Champaign). I hear you about lacking motivation to drive a long distance for marginal results. There are a couple of decent places i know of but most are about 2 or more hours away. I've been wanting to make more north trips, too, but it's like pulling hens teeth (mixed metaphor) to find good/reliable fishing companions.