Bulletman20XD

Most everyone here has mentioned a "Stronger" hook set. The problem could also be "Too Strong" of a hook set! If the hook penetrates the thin skin between the fishes lip and the thicker part of the mouth, the skin can tear, opening a large hole allowing the hook to be thrown out. This can occur with any hook but I see it with shorter shank hooks mostly, such as what you would normally use with a wacky rig. Smaller wire/short shank hooks will penetrate very easily. A quick sweep such as what you would use with a crankbait is all that is necessary with these type hooks. I say all this not actually seeing how this guys sets the hook!!

New to the site but not new to fishing. I grew up in NE Arkansas fishing rivers and creeks there as well as having my own stock pond. Started fishing bass tourneys in 1992 and have been ever since. Joined the Army in the early 80s and retired in 2002. Having been stationed all over the south, I had the opportunity to fish many great lakes. I currently work as a Safety Professional in the oilfields of south Texas and New Mexico and fish all over central and south Texas. I have been married to my wife Shannon for nearly 26 years. We have 2 boys, one of which is sorta out of the house and the other is 16 going on 30. I fish as much as I possibly can, while I still can. Due to a back injury received while on active duty in the Army I have may be permanently disabled by the VA in the near future. I will still fish as much as my back will let me.

Here is a double and a triple from one of the best days I've ever had on the water! Gotta love an A-Rig!!

Nice Fayette Co. 6 pounder

In 1997 I was fishing a Bob Sealy Big Bass Splash tourney (McDonalds back then) on Lake Fork. I was pitching a 10 inch Berkley Power Worm up next to a grass line and realized it didn't hit bottom. I then saw my line moving from left to right very slowly. I set the hook and the fight was on. She got down under a submerged tree limb and was hung. I could fell the line sawing back and forth under the limb. She came up and belly rolled giving me a quick view of the largest bass I've ever had on still to this date. The worm was hanging out the left side of her mouth and didn't go past her gill plate. I turned the TM wide open trying to get to her when the line snapped (Brand new 25 lb Trilene Big Game). I estimated her to be between 13 and 15 lbs. I had the sickest feeling ever for loosing a fish so i just sat down on the bow of the boat dangling my feet in the water for the next half hour. The overall winning fish in that tourney was right at 10 lbs. The guy who won took home nearly $100K in cash and prizes! While stationed at Ft. Campbell KY from 95-99 I used to make at least 1 trip to Dale Hollow every year. It is probably the most beautiful lake I've ever fished. Besides having some of the largest smallmouth in the world, Dale Hollow also has some big LM as well!

6.2--6.6 for general purpose

Lews TP1---The best $99 I have ever spent on a crankbait rod! I throw anything I have with it including 10XDs!!

SFC Ed Holloway US Army Retired