Smokinal

^^^I like those pull ups bud!! Nice deep stretch, no swing, no cheat at all! Those are the ones that count right there.

I've been through the shoulder surgery/rehab too. I'm no Dr and obviously don't know your issue but a lot of shoulder issues come from weak rotator cuffs and it wouldn't hurt to strengthen those anyway. And there are many more but these are some basics.

Sure it would. I use the 1/10 mostly but the general thought is to use the lightest you can get away with.

I'm sure I'm not the only one with some lingering back pain. I have a degenerated S1L5 disc and one in the upper neck that hasn't been fully diagnosed yet but I have found some relief I'd like to share with you. No, it's not in the form of snake oil or a pill; just 10 minutes of your time a day. After a few months of PT, I have learned a lot of techniques to control my back pain. 2 of these I will show you and hope you give them a try. First is a stretch that has been a total game changer for me; the ELDOA 2nd is an exercise to strengthen the lower back to help support weak discs; called the Bird Dog Just by doing these 2 things once a day has helped my back pain considerably. Believe me, I know the feeling of being on the boat and wanting to stay out but a tight, aching back has made me look for the ramp. Winter is a good time to get into shape so our next season is enjoyable. Nothing is more miserable than fishing through pain; unnessesary pain. Give them a shot!

Alright Tom, I'm game. Do you have a jig you like? And do I get the 101 in black too I assume? I'm going out this Sunday; not sure I can put this together before then.

Strike King was purchased? Someone do fill me in please EDIT: My opinion to Opie is changing too much or even not bringing baits back would be, quite possibly, one of the biggest retail mistakes in bass merchandise history. With KVD on board and the Rage series; those two entities alone carry that company.

Hello and welcome. No one is going to hammer ya for asking questions bud; that would certainly be against the spirit here. As far as craw baits, now I have to ask a silly question: are you positive there are no craws? I thought there were craws in almost every body of water around. If there are, in fact, no craws in it, it still wouldn't hurt to throw a craw imitating bait as a lot of guys throw them to imitate small baitfish as well. A jig dragged or hopped across the bottom can look like a baitfish hunting around. And try different speeds of retreive too, even swimming the jig.

Welcome to BR and thank you for sharing some bait pics; some old, some new, some craw, some blue.....sorry. Ok, so the first pic looks like some Banjo Minnows. A soft jerkbait that could be used in fresh or salt water. I would definitely throw those in fresh water for bass, usually on a calmer wind day, shallow on a spinning rod with short twitches/pauses. 3rd pic, yes, are jerkbaits. Some good brands and colors in there. My go-to in cold water spring and fall. 4th are lipless crankbaits; referred to traps (a catch-all name taken from the most popular lipless bait the Rattletrap). Also a go-to in colder water for me but not to be dismissed all year long. As far as color, you will see many baits in colors that do not look like anything natural in the water but bass still eat them. Some show better in different colored water. Time to experiment. 5th is a selection of shallow to deep diving crankbaits. Also and experiment in color and style. What I mean is you have to try different baits on a given day to see what they want to eat. And typically, the larger the bill, the deeper it dives. And I'm no bait expert but the upper, left 2 baits look like Rapala Shad Raps which are known to excell in cold water too. 6th...selection of some cool baits to look at. 7th are bass bugs to be thrown on a fly rod. Floating top water baits And I'm not familiar with those old worms but I would do more homework on them before opening them. I'd throw some new, common worm first and keep those packaged. Definitely more to be said but that's it in a nutshell.

I was looking foward to hearing from some power plant fishing guys.....

I fish up until the water is too hard to launch. Having said that, the bite definitely slows down as the water gets colder but I can still muster a fish or three here and there. I went out last Sunday in 43 degree water and caught 28 from 630am to around 1030am; pretty good bite for 43 degrees. It did shut right off after that and that's what we usually experience is a good bite for a short time, and then the window closes. When it gets cold you can fish all day and only have a small window where they bite. And it's ususlly in the same spot as it was for us that day. We busted them pretty good till it slowed, went to some other spots where we didn't do well, back to the first spot, off to more, and back there a third time to get the last few biting fish. And they were all on one bait...my tried and true fall, cold water bait wait for it the original Bill Lewis rattletrap in red craw. This bait cannot be beat in cold water for me.

Ima get down there if it's the last thing I do....

I've been using the braid/fluoro leader combo for around 10 years now with great success and I don't see myself changing anything about it in the future. I get tons of bites, no break-offs, no knot issues. So let's start with the line...they call it Vanish for a reason; because that's what your fish do when you use it. No need for buying the sales-pitched "leader material"; just buy a spool of any fluoro but Vanish and you will be fine. The FG knot stands for FuGettaboudit...I use a blood knot for regular guide sizes and an Alberto for micro-guides. And I use an improved clinch at the bait. Be sure to wet all your knots before cinching. These will get you back in business brother.

Nice job Evan!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving today! Today is a day to reflect on all the things you have going for you. And remember, even when you think you have it rough, someone else always has it rougher. Be thankful for what you have.

That's very sad. My thoughts and prayers go to his family today.

Wow folks! Thank you all for so much information and opinion; all much appreciated! You have given me lots to think about and many ideas. I'll be doing a lot of homework on some of the areas mentioned. We will see what our thoughts are over the next year whether we are serious about making a change like this. Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

So, let's say, hypothetically, my wife and I wanted to move from Maine to ??? after our second son moves out. Where would you choose where the temps don't get too hot, nor too cold and the bass fishing (smallies or Larries) is great. We are both a little tired of the winters here but wouldn't want Florida either. Most importantly though, the fishing in the area must be good with lot's of water options. I know I'm asking a lot and I also know I'm very spoiled here as the fishing is phenomenal and there are lakes/ponds in every single town; just thinking. And we would prefer the small-town feel as well. We live in a town with around 22,000 and most surrounding towns are smaller than that. Am I dreaming here?

I'm confused....

This says it all. I fish all rocky lakes and you wouldn't throw straight braid for more than 1 fish up here.

Be careful using metal polish on the brass tho. I've had it take the color off. The acid in ketchup works pretty good. You just have to make sure they don't want mustard that day....

Welcome bud!

@A-Jay @Gundog Like that? edit: I'm dangerous now... I guess you can teach an old dog