desmobob

I have a big old Plano hard box that has a top-opening lid with a quick-access covered compartment built on top of it. Under the lid is a spinnerbait rack on one side and slots to hold several small Plano boxes on the other side. The main part of the big box has a drop-down front that covers slots for four Plano 3700 boxes (they slide out like dresser drawers). It is one of the handiest tackle boxes I've ever owned. I carry another soft bag made to hold 6-8 Plano 3700s and a duffle with gallon Zip-Loks of soft baits and a Plano line/leader spool box. I can carry it all out to the boat in one trip and I'm sure I have all the tackle I might need with me. I keep some Plano boxes with my ultralight stuff in a compartment on the boat. Tight lines, Bob

Would you (or anyone else) care to elaborate on that? I am fairly new to the bass casting game... my understanding was that the PX-R was a premium grade finesse reel that excelled at working with light baits, while the Alphas was a budget alternative with the same attributes plus additional heavier bait versatility. Was I close? Tight lines, Bob

I just now started thinking about the "what if" ... What if the lure hooked you good in the middle of the back AND hooked through the bed sheet to the mattress as well? I think you are pretty darn lucky! Tight lines, Bob

I picked one up (JDM Alphas 105) this fall and was very excited about it. I have a PX Type R and hoped the Alphas would be a budget alternative that would equal the PX-R in light lure performance. I didn't get a chance to fish it much before I wrapped the boat up for the winter, but I would have to say I am unimpressed so far. I have it spooled with 8# Yo-Zuri Hybrid. Like QuakenShake mentioned, I noticed it feels like there is some kind of resistance to the spool spinning at higher speeds. It seems to throw light stuff well in close, but distance is a different story. I messed with spool tension and brake settings until I got backlash issues and wasn't able to resolve it. It sort of feels like the spool bearings are loaded with grease instead of light oil. I'll give it a thorough cleaning/flushing/proper lubing this winter to see if it helps. My first thought was to order new bearings for it. It's certainly a very nice reel. Maybe my expectations were too high? Tight lines, Bob

I love fly fishing and enjoy it all from catching tiny native brook trout to striped bass and mahi-mahi in the salt. From two-weight to eleven-weight rods... Ironically, I haven't made a serious effort to catch largemouth on a fly! (Yet) I'm too caught up with all this fun new bass casting gear I've been buying! Tight lines, Bob

I think I remember them making some engine component (or entire block?) for a fairly recent Corvette at one time... I might be mistaken. Tight lines, Bob EDIT TO ADD: I just finished reading the article. Mercury made the engine for some 'vettes in the '90s.

I get hooked by treble hook baits by just picking them up and looking at them. If I slept all night on top of a Rat-L-Trap and woke up without so much as one single hook point stuck in my hide, I'd get dressed, run to the local convenience store, and buy a lottery ticket. Tight lines, Bob

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your grandfather. My advice is NOT to take a semester off. It's sounds easy but is pretty risky. Like many others have, I did that... and never returned to school. Make school your first priority. It will give you the tools to help and support your family better in the long run. Tight lines and best of luck to you, Bob

Didn't you hear? They're being made by Dodge Motors in Detroit, Michigan! Tight lines, Bob

+3! I have a blast fishing a Ned Rig on a light power MajorCraft Volkey and Daiwa PX-R. Tight lines, Bob

I love ice fishing, but it's looking like my beloved Lake George might not freeze enough this year! Our average high/low temperature for today is 36/18. The actual was 57/39! The ground isn't even frozen yet, let alone the ponds or lakes. I'm starting to wish I didn't winterize and wrap up the boat... Tight lines, Bob

I use an O-ring and Owner weedless wacky hooks. I get at least three fish; usually more, per Senko! Tight lines, Bob

I prefer the 3701s for most anything... there's not much that won't fit in them, and you can pack more of them in the same carrying bags. I only use the original 3700s when I have to. Tight lines, Bob

I'll add a vote for the Megastrike (Pro Series). It's a funky-looking thing, but works very well! Tight lines, Bob

+1 Tight lines, Bob

Excellent! Thanks! Tight lines, Bob

+1 I do keep a Leatherman Wave on the boat despite having most of the individual full-size tools. Tight lines, Bob

I've been using it for a couple of years with no complaints. I wasn't really looking to buy it, but it came in a kit with the Hot Sauce oil for a good price, so I tried it. Previously, I used MiliTech grease. It is a light but very sticky grease that works well and stays in place. I'll pick up more of it at some point. Tight lines, Bob

Thanks for setting the record straight! Tight lines, Bob

Because I wasn't clever enough to think of that? Yup... that's why! Tight lines, Bob

I made orders with Kistler, TW, Susquehanna, Outlet Bait & Tackle, and Cabela's. I got a new St. Croix MojoBass spinning rod as a Christmas gift for a buddy, two Kistler KLX rods, a new Lew's TP, an Abu Orra Winch, a bunch of plastics and some crank baits and terminal tackle. I'm all ready for next season! Now, I just need to take care of the ice fishing bait monkey! Tight lines, Bob

Funny you should ask that.... I just filled up a UL size spinning reel for the upcoming ice fishing season. I wanted to use 4 lb. Fireline Crystal, which I only had a partial spool of. I figured the best way to figure out exactly how much backing I needed was to put the Fireline on first, then fill the spool with backing until it was perfectly full, then take all the line off and put it back on with the backing first. Clever, huh? Well, I put on the Fireline, then filled the spool the rest of the way with 6lb. test mono. Good. Then I thought about what I'd transfer the line to... another reel? ...a large empty spool? Then it hit me. If I take it off the new reel and put it on another one, or a empty spool, it would still come OFF the other reel or spool with the Fireline first and backing last! Doh!!! I ended up outside in the yard, walking out line until the reel was empty so I could cut it, then go back to the other end and put it back on. Thank God it was a low-capacity ultralight reel or I would have had quite a project. Unless, of course, there is an obvious and easy way to do this that I didn't think of.... Anyway, to the OP, I would use a similar or slightly stronger test line for the backing. The odds of a fish getting you down into the backing is pretty slim, so it probably isn't too critical what you use. Very slim odds you'll be casting far enough to get into, also. As for exactly how much to use, I would advise against using my clever method. Tight lines, Bob

I definitely prefer the ZinkerZ... because I'm cheap! They do seem a bit more limber, though. Interesting article; thanks! Tight lines, Bob

I bought a Glock Model 22 (.40 S&W) several years ago and found out what all the fuss was about... I loved it! It was the most ergonomic, fool-proof, easy-to-use handgun I owned at the time. I started saying that if the poop hit the fan and I had to grab just one of my handguns, the Glock would be the easy choice. So... I then bought a Glock Model 21 (.45 ACP). It felt like a brick or 2x4 in my hand; just the opposite of how well the Model 22 fit (and I'm a big guy with large hands). I tried very hard to like it. It was very accurate and reliable, but I ended up selling it. To date, it's the only handgun I've ever sold. Tight lines, Bob

I remember looking at a weedless bass jig many years ago and wondering how a person could actually catch a fish on something with a weed guard that thick and stiff, and a hook that large. When I first started fishing jigs, I fished them right out of the package. Now, I tend to flex/spread/soften the weed guard a bit before I tie one on. I really don't know if it helps my hook-up ratio... could just be a psychological crutch or confidence builder. Using the appropriate rod and line, along with a hook set "like you mean it" will soon dispel your worries! Tight lines, Bob