Teal

Oh goodness gracious!! Talk about marketing a lure!!! Thats crazy Bobby. I probably would have given him a case too!! Cool tattoo tho. Thats dedication there!! I dont have any fishing tats. But my best pal has the G Loomis "bone fish"or symbol (i guess thats what you call it) on his tricep

I was going to say 1/0 or 2/0. A size 1hook may be fine, i like to hold a hook up to a bait to see how its going to look/fit

Good read, Chuck. Good stuff.

X3, a thrid way is to use them as a jig trailer and to swim it. Bankbeater pretty much hit it on the head tho !!

I have Jack Russle, (a close cousin) man, let me tell you, those dogs are wide open!! Mine is 9 and she just slowed down a couple years ago. They are great family dogs but they do have alot of energy.

I use StaBil. Its good stuff. Long Mike, im gonna try the StarTron.

Ok. Id either go to straight Fluoro or braid with a fluoro leader. I like Sunline Sniper for fluoro but Seagar makes a line fluoro called Abraizx, (i probably butchered the spelling) it is a lil cheaper and is really tough....since you said abrasion is a problem for you. Both are good lines Edit: oh i almost forgot, why dont you go to tuff line (our new sponsor here) and redeem their free offer. You pay 5 bucks for shipping and you get a spool 20lb line to try out. You are already using 20...

I love skipping docks too. When they are under docks, a good "skipper" can get a big bag quick. You would be surprised how many accomplished anglers can not skip that lure very far or way in the back of a dock. Lake Gaston is FULL of docks and it is a necessity here. If you can skip a dock, you are at an advantage here. I can do other techniques and map reading and willingness to get off the bank and getting smoked a few times, has made me a better offshore fisherman. But i still love skippin, pitchin and punching as my favs.

I throw mine in 30# Spiderwire with 12#a fluoro leaders. If its really snaggy ill go up to 17lb fluoro leader. 30 or 40#a braid sounds right to me. Depending on how snaggy your lake is id go between 12-20 floro. The fluoro will help it stay down. What size spinners are your throwing? I normally throw 1/2oz and up... i throw a 3/8 every now and again.

Man that is awesome! I listen to Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwin everyday on Sirius XM. Those guys are great..they are a riot too. Ive been listening to them for so long, i feel like i know them..

I dont like to put labels on it. Because i have to change how I approach the different lakes around me. Well rounded is the name for it. Theres nothing i excell at and nothing i refuse to do. Kerr Lake - well rounded power fisherman/run and gun Lake Gaston-junk fisherman/finesse Roanoke Rapids Lake-power fishing and flip/punch

Hey welcome to the site! Fishing the Classic is quite and accomplishment.

Well... i dont care what job yyou have or how much you like it, at some point you experience burn out and it does change you. It can make you cold and focused only on doing a good and then going home. Been there and done that. As for Rick in the picture above, forr the guy standing with him it was an exciting day in his life that he got to meet with Rick Clunn. For Rick Clunn its another day at work. As i say this, i do know of several older anglers and former professsional athletes that are still excited about their jobs/former jobs and still bend over backwards to accomadate fans. For example, i always thought former. Tampa Bay DT Warren Sapp was always "a stick in the mud" i met him in an airport and he was amazing to us and everybody that came through. That may have been Ricks Focused Face

Agreed!! My reason for this opinion really has nothing to do with letting the fish live for the sake of not killing a thing of beauty, but more so that another person has an opportunity to experience what i just experienced. My thinking is this, i would love to think by letting it go, someone else who has been chasing monster fish their whole life might catch them next...or a young person may catch em. People have the right to keep them, but id like to PAY IT FORWARD.

The other guys hit it right on the head. But one thing to touch on is the most noticable difference in flippin sticks and other rods... their length. For flipping in particular, extra length is important to be able to flip a little further because you are not using the reel to cast...the extra length helps for a longer easier pitch.. however, when the situation permits i make short pitches on any rod. No matter the length.

I dont know of any micro guide rods for under 75. You may want to look very hard online and see what you can find on clearance or on E bay. I would go with MH unless you plan going with 3/4 - 1.5oz all the time. MH will cover most of your needs.

I keep rattles and rattle bands but ive found that its not always necessary. Ive had more success without rattles. Normally after a hard rain when theres alot of run off in the backs of the creeks or pockets, I can bulk up or use a bigger jig/trailer with a dark profile with bright accents and it does just fine. And if the water is suer murkey, im probably not going to take the time add a rattle...i am more apt to use a chatterbait syle jig, or a colorodo blade spinner bait.

I saw this video a few months ago and it made alot of sense.

Real simple. It comes in two parts though. Water clarity and light conditions. Either one, still match the hatch and go from there. Natural and subdued colors on sunny days or mid day. Same for clearer water Darker naturals on low light conditions in clear water. Brighter color for dirtier water in sunny conditions. In low light conditions i like darker baits with bright accents. Basicly i say all this based on opinion and experience. The key for me is still try to match what im trying to imitate and then go from there with WHICH color or shade i go to.

Same here Mike; im the same height and weight, and i work out 3-4 days a week. I used to have alot of lower back pain. A local doctorguy suggested that i strengthen my core. I started doing ALOT more ab work. Not just going through the motions like we do because we are so focused on other muscle groups. I really focused on making it stronger and let me tell ya, it works. I also use a leaning post and i keep it all the way up.

I agree with flyfisher, its a troll post. and it does appear to be photoshopped. But it is a good topic nontheless. I am a big believer in Catch,Photo,Release. But when it comes to a personal best, double digit or a regional/state/world record. It is completely up to the angler. Me personally, i would exaust every thing i can to keep the fish alive and still get it certified. There are some great taxidermists out there that can make excellent replicas from photos and measurements. If i couldnt get a wildlife resource officer or certified scales or whatever else requirement without killing the fish, i think i would make sure i have several photos and release the fish. My hope is to return the fish so that someone else has a chance to catch it. But who knows what ill do untill im there...

I would try it out as a "skippin rod" ive found that mod action mediums have good "whip" to the them. I like rods like that for skipping docks. I use a 6'6'med fast, but when fish are under the docks and thats all im doing, ill use my Powell 695cb as an alternate/backup rod. It has a mod action. It loads up well and has the kind of bend that i like when im skippin under docks... It would also work well for rattle traps or flutter spoons.

The powell 706 would be good for 3/4oz, 1oz, and up. I would get a mH if you plan to use half ounce traps.

Man i forgot Patton! Did you know that the opening speech in that movie, is shown in a lot of supervisor and train the train seminars!?!

Wow! Thats a cool ride! Just a little bit outta my price range tho. -__-