desmobob

Every time I look at new content on bassresource.com and see this thread, I think it's about auto parts. Here in the northeast, it's time to think about taking off your regular windshield wipers and replacing them with snow and ice resistant winter wipers for the season. :-) Tight lines, Bob

It's used to build a tapered leader... each section you tie on is only slightly smaller diameter than the previous section. In other words, you're always using it on similar diameter lines. As J Francho noted, it is NOT used to connect the leader to the fly line. If you take a good look at a blood knot, I think you'll see it's just a clinch knot-to-clinch knot connection (not "improved", just the standard clinch). Tight lines, Bob

Sometimes, ya gotta do what ya gotta do... If you want to fish, fish with what you have until you get what you want. Don't worry about what anyone else thinks! Have fun... catch some fish! That's what it's really all about, right? Tight lines, Bob

I had my best topwater success with frogs this year, although I must say that I didn't throw much topwater other than frogs. I did throw some buzz baits and an occasional Spook. I fished frogs the most. Ask me again next December after I get to fish my new Megabass XPods, XPod Jrs., and PopMax's next season! Tight lines, Bob

Pretty cool... never saw anything quite like it. Thanks for sharing that one! Tight lines, Bob

I like regular old Power Pro just fine. I put Sufix 832 on a couple of reels and I think it offers better handling; maybe less spool dig on baitcasters and less wind knots on light spinning gear, but I'm completely happy with Power Pro. And as others have said, it's affordable and easy to find. Tight lines, Bob

Sure looks like a fallfish to me. It's a type of chub, and the bane of many a flyfisherman who are after trout. :-) Tight lines, Bob

I sometimes troll with my spinning rod, cast with my jigging rod, and jig with my casting rod. I also park in my driveway and drive on the parkway, so what do I know.... Tight lines, Bob

You don't have to wade through opinions to find the best knot... get out your digital scale and do some testing! My bet is that the Alberto will win. I like this quote from hatrix: "Just cause you have 4' of leader left doesn't mean it is still good for another 2' ." Re-tying occasionally will help prevent disappointment with any braid-to-leader knot! Tight lines, Bob

In both my new Lew's Tournament Pros, the 5x11x4 spool bearing was rough and the two 3x10x4 bearings were perfect. The 5x11x4s weren't horrible, but they definitely weren't right, either. Maybe Lew's got a bad batch of that particular bearing size? All the bearings were soaked, then shaken, in naphtha, and then blasted thoroughly with aerosol brake cleaner. Tight lines, Bob

Excellent! By the time spring gets here, you'll probably need to practice it again! ;-) Heck... it's almost two more weeks before winter even starts! Arghhhh! Tight lines, Bob

My Tevas have held up to a lot of use over the years with no issues at all. They make so many different models, I can't remember which model I have. I do remember that I paid more than I thought they'd be worth ($50 or $60?), but they have been worth every penny. Tight lines, Bob

I feel the same way about the heavier reels having a more "solid" and bomb-proof feel. I'm a big, healthy guy, so an extra ounce of reel weight won't have me running for the spinach. On the other hand, I've had two operations on my right (casting) shoulder, so lightening up my rod-and-reel combo is a good thing. ^ This is the real deal. On my Kistler KLX rods, the Lew's TPs feel great; the rig feels like a laser pointer. The little bit of extra weight of the Tatulas takes away the magic. Tight lines, Bob

I used to think my Crocs were the handiest water shoes... I could wear them to the boat launch, wade in a little to launch the boat, then kick them off and enjoy the carpet when fishing. I took it for granted that it was the algae-covered concrete ramp that was slippery when I was launching the boat. Then, one day, I wore my Teva water sandals instead of the Crocs. I was surprised to find I could walk in the water, on the ramp, while launching the boat without slipping/sliding and worrying about falling. What a difference! I still like my Crocs, but the Tevas I have are much safer on the slippery launch ramp. I also have a pair of older New Balance water shoes that I wore for years when canoeing and kayaking. They finally wore out and I couldn't find another pair like them. I found a similar pair made by Propet, but I don't like them as much. Tight lines, Bob

I used to use the Albright, but it seemed to usually be the weak point when I was breaking off on a snag, etc. (never had a failure on a fish). I've used the Uni-to-Uni when diameters were more similar, but experienced the same thing. The Alberto is the way to go. Tight lines, Bob

I took advantage of the 50%, 60%, 70%, and 80% off sections at Overstock Baits and picked up a lot of odds and ends. The deals at Lurenet were too good to pass up too, and I snagged a bunch of stuff (including some things for ice fishing) from them. An order to Tackle Warehouse rounded things out. I'll be starting off the spring season with full tackle boxes! Tight lines, Bob

Interesting thread... Right now, I have a couple of Lew's Tournament Pros and a couple Daiwa Tatulas, and an old Daiwa PT1500FL. I like the Lew's TPs a lot; the dual brakes, clicky adjustments, strong drag, and good looks. I really love the smooth feel of the Tatulas, but don't care for the extra weight. What is it about the higher end Shimanos and Daiwas that make people recommend them over the Lew's? Is is just feel, or are there other technical advantages? Tight lines, Bob

I have settled on 30lb. or 40lb. braid w/fluorocarbon leader as my pretty-much-do-anything line; freshwater or inshore salt. Tight lines, Bob

Toss-up: Bead head Pheasant Tail or small brown Wooly Bugger. Tight lines, Bob

+1 I always figure if I can't catch 'em on a wacky Senko, they're not there.... ;-) It's not my favorite bait to fish, but it is effective! Tight lines, Bob

The only catfish I've ever had jump during the fight was a small channel cat similar to the one in the photo. I can't remember for sure, but I think it hit a small Beetle Spin when I was fishing for panfish. Tight lines, Bob

Tests show Toray Superhard being much more abrasion resistant than monos. Seguar InvisX, which handles nicely and seems to hold knots well, has horrible abrasion resistance. I use it but keep a careful eye on the last few inches of the line. Contact with things like Zebra Mussels or rock will absolutely shred the stuff. I retie a lot. Tight lines, Bob

Those Tatulas grow on you, don't they? I picked up a new one off the big auction site for $92. I did a thorough clean/flush/relube, then fished with it a few times. I immediately ordered another one. :-) If they were an ounce or two lighter, I don't think I'd feel the need to buy any other reel. I don't have any experience with other reels in that price range, but it's hard for me to image you could do any better. Tight lines, Bob

Interesting... I had to look them up; never heard of them. They range all the way up the East Coast, but I've never seen one caught off Cape Cod in many years of fly fishing there. I wish I would catch one! Here's my favorite part of the Widipedia entry on them: "The species is also a target for light tackle saltwater fly fishermen, and can push 6-weight fly tackle to its limits." Sounds like a fun fish! Tight lines, Bob

I keep my old and beloved Leatherman Wave on the boat as an addition to my basic tool kit. I also carry a Leatherman Micra every day in my pocket. Great tools! Tight lines, Bob