Steveo-1969

I thought this was a joke! Below the video it says go to their website for more information, but there's no information there about this line welder. And I can't find any information about "Professional Fisherman - JC Flaherty" either. I assumed this wasn't a real product but a commercial from an old SNL show... ha-ha

X2

Ha-ha. Raul is one of our resident "wanna be comedians". I'm assuming he has another source of income.

I would love to quit my job and fish every day, but for that to be possible I need to win the lottery.

What about a shaky head?

I feel the same way about the 3" YUM Mighty Bug. I love that bait and only have a couple left.

I had this exact same thing happen to me on Saturday afternoon fishing from the bank. I had just looked behind me and made a mental note about how close a tree was to me. What I didn't notice was the big plant to my right. On my next side-arm cast my bait caught the plant and... I lost so much line cutting out that birds nest that I had to retire that rod for the day. And because it was the only rod I brought with me I had to stop fishing for the day. SMH.........

That chain pickerel knows it's Shark Week.

I use the Rapala braid scissors I can get at Walmart. They last about a year before getting dull but they only cost $3.

Most favorite: Jig or t-rigged plastic. Least favorite: Crankbait or topwater (aversion to treble hooks). HA!!!!!

For spinning I use a 6'10" MLXF with 10# braid and 8# FC leader. Baitcasting is a 7'5" MHXF with 12# FC (would use a M power if I had one). I carry my stuff in a small over-the-shoulder tackle bag. My favorite baits to throw are SK Bitsy Bug jigs in 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 ounce (Baby Rage Craw trailer). Various t-rigged plastics with 1/16 or 1/8 ounce bullet weight and 2/0 or 3/0 Gamakatsu skip gap hook. Plastics include SK Baby Rage Craw, YUM 3" Mighty Bug (not made in that size anymore), 4" YUM Dinger, SK Cut-R worm, 4" Powerbait ribbon-tail worm. Also fish 1/8 ounce jig heads with 3" and 4" Gulp grubs and Gulp minnows.

The times I've fished it I've seen more kayaks than boats (it's a "no gas motors" lake). Good luck!

Man, that's a bummer. I hate breaking off a fish on the hookset. Based on the advice that members gave you a couple days ago on a thread you started about Spiderwire Fluoro, rather than switching to a heavier line you may want to try a different brand of fluorocarbon. Spiderwire fluoro didn't get any love in the last thread. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/159536-15lb-flurocarbon-with-texas-rig/

Ha-ha. That's what I've been telling my son! "If you were GUARANTEED to catch the fish every time you set the hook it wouldn't be nearly as exciting." So far he's not buying it...

I've only fished the lake 4 times (twice last spring, twice this spring), but I would say it's possible to take your sedan with kayaks. The road is rough in spots but not impassable. I went with a buddy in his pickup towing a Bass Tracker. We never had much luck but there are big ones in there. Good luck!!

I rarely throw a plastic without some kind of scent on it for smallies (or largies). For me it's a confidence thing. I regularly use Spike-It chartreuse garlic and crawlic, and have also just started using the original Megastrike. Does it produce more strikes? Get them to hold onto the bait longer? I don't know, but my mind tells me it makes a difference and that's all that matters.

Awesome. Scott Martin Challenge is one of my favorite shows, happy to see him win AOY!

As long as it's just a guess, I'm guessing 3# 7 ounces.

Maybe you could give us a little more info? Are you fishing with a spincast, spinning or baitcast rod? What kinds of baits are you using? How heavy are your weights (if any)? BTW - Welcome to the forums!

Welcome to the forums!! I agree with WIGuide. ^^^^^^^^^^^^

As someone who has lost countless fish on jigs when the fish jumps, I agree with most of the posters above. 12# fluoro line and a MH powered rod is plenty to drive the hook past the barb. I lose fish because the hook widens the hole in the fishes mouth and when he/she jumps I don't keep tension on the line and they throw it. When you feel the fish coming up and about to jump, keep the rod tip low and to the side, keep a bow in the rod and the line tight. You'll still lose some fish, but not nearly as many.

Great fish! Musky's beard puts mine to shame, but I'm working on it... ha-ha

Is this the UK version of a yellow perch? Looks like you dipped her fins/tail in red Spike-It!!

Good luck Memphis, I hope you whack 'em!!!!!

I used PB&J color all week. Lubed up with Megastrike Original and the tips of the claws dipped in Spike-It chartreuse garlic. SK Jointed Structure head in 1/2 ounce.