desmobob

I'd guess that any floating bait would be a reasonable substitute for the Z-Man products for Ned Rigging. There is something special about the way an ElaZtech bait quivers, though... And, as for durability, I can't imagine anything being more durable than ElaZtech. I save money by using half a Zinkerz worm instead of TRDs. (More color choices, as well.) I stretch it repeatedly while holding it under the water to make it float better and become more supple. I do the same to TRDs, too. I know Roboworms are hugely popular, but I haven't built much confidence in them. The Z-Man products seem perfect for Ned Rigging and I haven't felt the need to look elsewhere. Tight lines, Bob

It just so happens that I tested 30lb. braid vs. 10 lb. Izorline XXX yesterday. I was using identical Daiwa Tatula 100HL reels on the same rod (Daiwa Ardito 7' MHF) and a 3/8 oz. casting weight. The braid easily out-distanced the mono in this case. Tight lines, Bob

Oh no! I'm sad to hear that. RIP Mr. Kreh. Tight lines, Bob Simple bunny strip streamers. Bias cut rabbit strip to palmer on for the body and a long straight-cut strip for the tail. They are pretty much the "rubber worm" of fly fishing. Tight lines, Bob

I've heard other folks say they've had problems with handle nuts loosening up, too. I have never had it happen and I can't imagine why or how it would. I wonder if the mechanics of some people's reeling motions has something to do with it? Also, every reel I own has a locking piece that screws down around/over the handle nut to prevent it from coming loose. How can the nut loosen? I put mine on hand tight, then snug them a bit more with a tiny adjustable wrench. If the lock piece doesn't line up correctly, I snug the handle nut up that extra 1/8 turn or so. Tight lines, Bob

The Wooly Bugger is my all-time favorite smallmouth fly, just ahead of the Clouser Minnow. I fish them unweighted, lightly weighted (beadhead or lead wraps) or heavily weighted (cone head), tied in crayfish colors. I guess you can't tie it large enough to make it a really good largemouth fly. For them, I like bunny strip patterns for streamers and spun deer hair for poppers and divers. Large Gurglers work pretty well, too. I keep an old Orvis 4-pc. HLS eight-weight rod and Battenkill disk-drag reel stashed on the boat so it's always handy. I like various 6, 7, and 8 weight outfits for bass. Before heading to Cape Cod for my annual fly fishing trip for stripers, I use my nine-weight (Orvis Trident/DXR reel) out on the lake to get tuned up. Tight lines, Bob

Beautiful spot... I overnighted at the hut back in the late '70s. I did some winter camping in Lincoln Woods a few years back. I love the White Mts. Tight lines, Bob

My favorite day-in, day-out reels have been the Lew's Tournament Pros. I like the versatility of the dual braking system and the light weight. Right at $200. My favorite bang-for-the-buck reels are my Daiwa Tatulas (the older 100 models) at less than $100. Some of the KastKing reels seem to offer tremendous bang for the buck but don't seem to have the solid, quality feel of the Tatulas to me. The jury is still out on durability, as well. My Tatulas have held up perfectly. Everyone has their preferences and favorites. I'd recommend a well-known, quality reel if you want to test the waters. You may have to spend a little more money, but you'll probably have better odds of satisfaction. If you end up not liking a bait caster, it would be easier to sell a quality reel and recoup most of your investment. Tight lines, Bob

Sunset on Low's Lake in the Adirondacks, taken on a solo canoe camping trip... Tight lines, Bob

It's 2 1/2 miles to my favorite launch. I also have good fishing less than 1/2 mile from my door, and plenty within 15 miles. I'm pretty much surrounded by water where I live. Between the float tube, kayak and boat, I have a lot of opportunities very close to home. It's a blessing. Tight lines, Bob

Good fun! I've hooked a couple of really big freshwater drum (sheepshead) on a Ned Rig, besides channel cats. Tanks. Tight lines, Bob

I remember reading that it was a known issue (JJ's dissolving Z-Man baits) when I bought my first bottle of JJ's Magic. I also remember test-dipping a Z-Man bait to see what would happen... ...and nothing happened. It didn't dissolve it OR dye it. I don't remember what Z-Man bait I tried or what color JJ's it was, though. Nevertheless, I have not dipped any Z-Man (or other brands of Elaztech-type plastic) baits in JJ's Magic since then and have no plans to do it. Tight lines, Bob

It's a great fishing resource AND one of the prettiest places around. Back in the days when working people could afford it, my folks had a summer place there. It's where I caught my first fish. It's not only a great smallmouth lake, but it has largemouths, lake trout, landlocked salmon and pike too, along with a huge population of yellow perch. Tight lines, Bob This is a photo of the northern half of the 32-mile-long lake, taken from the summit of Black Mt. The southern half has LOTS of islands.

My favorite smallmouth lake in the winter... Lake George, NY; emerald queen of American lakes. Tight lines, Bob

I don't have cable and the only TV I watch is what I can stream with Apple TV. I think 95% of my viewing is YouTube and, naturally, I watch a bunch of fishing stuff there. So, at my house, Glenn is already pretty much a TV star. Now, the rest of the world will get to know him! What's next? Glenn starring in Death Wish II ? Tight lines, Bob

I got out and made a few casts at South Bay in Lake Champlain... no fish, but I scratched the itch. The lake looks open from the South Bay boat launch north to at least Dresden or Putnam from what I could see in my travels today. The very southern part of the lake south of the South Bay bridge (NY Rt.22) is still mostly covered with ice. 6"-11" of new snow in the forecast for me. Ugh! Tight lines, Bob

+1 Most of my reels are Lew's Tournament Pros at around $200. I have three or four Daiwa Tatulas that were $100 or less and have been very happy with them. Same for an Orra Winch. I only have a couple of reels that were pricier at the time (Daiwa PX-R and SV105) and although I like them a lot, I probably won't buy more $200+ reels, other than maybe an Aldebaran. I think the ~$200 range is the sweet spot, with diminishing returns on more money spent. I don't use spinning reels a lot and I don't think I own one that cost more than a hundred bucks. That $100 range is my sweet spot for spinning reels. I might sing a different tune after trying a "better" spinner. Tight lines, Bob

Spool tension, casting brakes and drag set? Leader and knots OK? Fish grippers/Boga, net, and pliers/hemos ready (lots of pike where I fish)? Camera and scale handy? Remind myself I'm out to have fun, and then make that first cast. Tight lines, Bob

There was enough open water at the southern end of Lake Champlain for a local guy to take his party barge out for a short ride this weekend! He posted a video on Facebook and it showed a bunch of snow inside the boat and a snow shovel sitting on one of the front seats. I guess he left it uncovered during our last snowstorm. It won't be long... Tight lines, Bob

I'm trying to find a place in my tackle boxes to fit two more Rapala Super Shad Raps I just picked up. They're 1 5/8 oz. each. Tight lines, Bob

Tacklewarehouse Angler backpack for taking lots of stuff or, for lighter loads, my old Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack. Some sling packs are designed for very easy access without having to take them off. That's a plus. Tight lines, Bob

The old timers bled them and put them in a wicker creel lined with ferns. If I was planning on keeping trout while still being mobile, I think I'd pick a "polar creel" or small soft cooler and bring along a couple of small frozen water bottles to keep them cool Tight lines, Bob

It's nice to be able to try a couple of different reels on the rod to see how they balance. I just swapped out a little 25-size President I had on a long ultralight rod for a heavier Okuma. A reel that is too light can make an already slightly tip-heavy rod feel really uncomfortable. Since a range of reel sizes meet your line capacity requirements, I'd choose the one that gives you the preferred balance. Tight lines, Bob

And now, the possibility of another Nor'Easter on Wednesday. Every time I get ready to take the winter tarp off my boat, we get another big snowstorm! This is that nasty season where we can't go ice fishing and can't put the boat in. Think Spring, Bob

I think the gearing is more important than the bearing count. Compare the smoothness of a quality reel with the newer micro-gearing to an inexpensive reel with old-school gearing and lots of ball bearings... I think there is more perceived "smoothness" with good gearing than there is with bearing count. Tight lines, Bob

I fish primarily in water with low visibility and lots of zebra mussels. I use 17lb. and 20lb. Seguar AbrazX main line as leader. I buy expensive dedicated leader material for my saltwater fishing but, for some reason, I can't make myself spend the extra money on it for my everyday fishing at home. Tight lines, Bob