The Bassman

I've got some mid/high end stuff that you're referring to. But let me tell you I went fishing yesterday with a 35.00 Cabela's rod and 100.00 Daiwa reel and couldn't have been better equipped. Nice combo and welcome.

Remember when you was fretting about how slow the ice was going out? I said you would have us all passed up soon enough. I'd say you just did. Congrats.

Wrong link?

I recently started a topic in the tackle forum about Yamamoto's Fat Ika. @roadwarriorlinked it to an old thread he wrote. This bait rigged backwards is something bass haven't seen. Very bulky and appealing to larger fish. Try it.

Super glueing Keitechs to your hook can work against you. I get more tail bite-offs when I do it.

Looks like those big Havasu red ears. Really nice!

Somebody's gonna get mad before this is over.

Just one thing (other than the mag-seal that keeps you from servicing them) the gripes me. The line lay can be top heavy out of the box and it's not particularly easy to correct. Had it happen on my second one. I've heard others discuss this.

Daiwa just released a new Procyon LT which looks like the best bang for the buck. It has the Zaion frame like the Tatula. All the LT's are very nice. I have two Fuegos and they are very good.

Where I fish they come here:

Really missing my smallies. Our streams look like coffee with cream and really no lake options around here.

Had a fun evening with my new friend "Fat Ika". Can't believe that hybrid sunnie got hold of that hook.

Gammy.

One thing I did that helped my hooking % was to trim away some of the plastic directly in front of the hook point. Creates a low spot on the bait.

Who uses 'em? I finally tried them out and had a very productive session. Rigged backwards they look just like a fleeing crawfish. Screw lock 4/0 EWG made one bait good for at least 10 fish. Definitely another tool in the kit.

Bought a knockoff 110 on E-Bay last year. Works great at catching snot moss in the ponds I fish.

Looks pretty weedless, too.

Z-Man Jackhammer for 14.00 which is actually a good price. I keep throwing my five buck chatterbaits for fear of losing it.

Really good to see you holding fish again. By the lack of activity on your blog I thought this HB 1279 thing had you in a funk. These rains have been very good to me lately fishing around drains.

I have fished this a lot over the years with great success. Heddon used to make an even smaller one but you couldn't get it to walk.

No poison ivy here but can you believe the way the lawn care contractor destroyed the bank because they mowed last week when everything was just as wet?

Was able to take advantage of a big rain again. My favorite honey hole was just ten minutes from where I was working so I was able to sneak away on a "long lunch". Fished an hour, caught and released 21, grabbed a quick sandwich, and went back and finished painting the living room I started. Now that's what I call being productive.

I don't live on the water but have to sympathize with dock owners who have to deal with inconsiderate fishermen who hit and snag things like boat covers with errant casts. Weedless soft baits would just seem logical.

Berkley Lightning rods had EVA when they were introduced in '83. There were probably others before it but this comes to mind.

Welcome and thanks for bringing this thread back. I didn't know it existed. Lots of good info from guys I interact with now. As far as your issue goes you need to check your HOA rules. Most allocate common ground around ponds. Some don't. Always view your use of the pond as a privilege, not a right. My experience has been to make friends with residents. I've had no issues.