jdw174

Gillraker worms. That double "S" tail had fantastic action with the lightest weights. They also made a floating model with that tail. I still have a few left but not many.

I always used the 3700 Plano boxes. Keep an eye on WalMart. Lots of times they get boxes in that feature satchel like handles or double layered. I have two of the latter that have topwaters on one level and jerkbaits on the other. The second one has shakeyhead goodies on one level and dropshot stuff on the second. You never know what you'll find there.

This past year I put braid on all 3 of my spinning rods with a copoly leader and really like it for those applications. I also use it on my c-rig setup. Other than that, it's plain copoly all the way.

I had a bunch of new bags of plastics I bought for the coming year and no place left to store them (I admit to carrying a LOT of unnecessary stuff : ). They were just tossed into the rod locker and were in the way. I recently went to WallyWorld and bought two plastic "shoe boxes" w/snap-on lids for .97 ea. I left all my new plastics in their original bags and stacked them into these two boxes, along with some that I removed from their regular boxes and placed into qt. size freezer bags. Snapped on the top and wrote the contents by name and it order on the lid. Those two boxes fit nicely underneath the console and I like it actually better than using the normal 3700 type boxes. I can find what I want easily and I get to leave the newer items in the original bag.

Installed a new Fortrex this past fall and was wondering if adding a Bounce Buster would be worth it? I admit that like a fool, I forgot to install the holddown strap under the mount when I did the motor, and haven't been able to find one long enough to attach to the deck (Rod Saver) that would reach around the motor shaft. I don't mind spending the $30 for the buster if it would help. Any suggestions? :-?

Any chance you got some dirt/grit built up in the pawl area? If there's grease in there it will collect dirt and can bind up. I'd remove that and clean it, then keep it lubed with just a couple drops of oil every other trip or so.

Was on their website earlier this AM. They're all marked down to around $10.

I had one for a short time. The best piece of advice I can give you is to manufacture yourself a fixed rudder out of plexiglass that can be clamped to the stern. Without it, the slightest breeze and you'll get blown all over the place. Of course you'll get blown around with it but it WILL HELP.

Sounds like those items may be something made especially for Dick's. We will see.

'Tis true according to another site this morning. He'll be fishing with both the SK rods and reels. I guess that means the $$$ were really good.....or those rods/reels are better than many give them credit for.

I bought the Platinum model a year ago. Took me awhile to find just the right coffee cuz I was looking for a good bold blend that didn't taste like mud. Surprisingly enough, the winner has been the new Folgers K-Cup in either their Black Silk or Lively Colombian, brewed in the 8oz size. If I want to brew larger size in a travel mug, then Coffee People's "Donut Shop" Xtra Bold does it. I also have a Cuisinart regular brewer when I want a whole pot. Coffee of choice there? Folger's Gourmet Supreme . Where I used to live there were several Dunkin' Donuts. Didn't like either their donuts OR their coffee. But, it's all individual taste... 8-)

I fished the crap out of Sluggos back when they were popular. Even bought a mold so I could make my own. Fished them on a 6'MH Berkley Series One rod....best Sluggo rod I ever saw. I could literally make them leap out of the water like shad. Several leaps, then kill it. Those LM would absolutely try to obliterate them. I still have a box of them in the boat, along with some Mann's Shadows. I really should dig them out and fish them again...

You might consider a Lamiglas Excel ($109 from TW). I have the 703S that I bought for dropshotting and I love it. Got it when TW had a sale on them at $79

I always have a MH spinning outfit rigged with a soft stickbait. (Notice I didn't say Senko? There are much cheaper alternative "copycats" that do the job just as well ) I don't, as a general rule, fish with them exclusively. If I come to a low hanging branch where I have to skip a lure underneath, then I pick it up....same for docks. Weightless t-rig or wacky style for that. I like to fish slow, but to work that bait weightless all day is too much for even me.

I'll go along with the pitch and the roll cast. Still use the overhead for cranks/topwater and don't have any problems.

Started using them this past year on shakeyheads and did really well on them. I like California Red for a color. Bought a bag of the 8" size to try C-rigging this year. *** carries them.

I'd try the Navionics Premium series for whatever section of the country you're fishing.

I'm about to find out. Bought a few of the new SK KVD 1.5 and 2.5 lures to try out this spring.

I carry 7 BC's and 3 spinning, all in rod lockers. Most of the levelwind outfits could do double duty, but I find it easier to grab another rod than to re-rig one while I'm fishing. The spinning outfits are used for dropshot, shakeyhead, and the last for skipping senkos.

Mostly the DuoLock snaps with the occasional Norman's Speed Clip thrown in.

Agree 110% on Roland. If I were dying for a fishing show on TV I wouldn't watch him. Never could stand him and his mouth. You're right on Charlie Ingram, too. (I do admire his Phoenix boat, though )

I'm with you there. If I make the deliberate effort to go to a spot, I expect to be there long enough to work it thoroughly. It doesn't mean I will sit in one spot indefinately but one cast to a sunken tree isn't going to cut it. I'm not afraid to turn off the trolling motor and lowering the anchor if I feel it's merited. I call this "Running and gunning" and it's something that I absolutely refuse to do. Being fortunate enough to live near one of the top bass lakes, it is MHO that there isn't a single creek arm on that lake that doesn't hold fish. When I go, I choose a creek, run there, drop the TM and I FISH! Sometimes I fish slower than other times, but my TM is mostly on LOW setting.

For me, it would have to be deep cranking. I have a lot more faith in c-rigging/dropshot/shakeyhead than wearing myself out trying to winch one of those things around for half a day. I know, I'm missing the boat (and probably fish), but I can't help it. Anybody else?

Just had my rig in the shop. Compression check, 6 new plugs, topped off oil tank with XD50, added two new bolts to TM mount, all fittings lubed as needed, new impeller, lower unit oil changed. Total cost including parts was $339. $400 for an impeller and thermostat sounds just a bit expensive...

Yum Dingers or any of the SK products made with their Elaztech plastic. Dingers are $3 a bag at WalMart, far cheaper than Senkos, and they catch just as many fish for me as the "high priced spread"