JessRey

Happy thanksgiving SU!

For me it depends on the time of year and several other factors, but here are some of my general thoughts on the subject; (disclaimer, this is not relative to year round activity, nor do I think that this is exclusive to the entire country's fisheries, since each fishery is different and unique) I feel like I'm in the wrong location or focusing on structure or cover that, while holding a concentration of 2-5#ers, is not going to hold the big one I'm after. Big fish occupy their own territory and don't like to compete with the smaller, faster fish and usually will claim a "key local", whether it be structure of cover. The drop off point you mentioned is a good example example.... the shallow water cover/structure that attracted the smaller fish might be too exposed for the big girls and keeps them in their comfort zone where they are hidden better and can ambush prey more easily without expending a lot of her energy. Even if that drop was only two feet, if it is different enough from the rest of the area, she will claim that for herself. There are times when big fish pack up and hunt/feed together but usually with other bass in the same class as herself. Now on another note... if there is schooling action going on (smaller fish 12-16ish"), there is a good chance that there is a momma hanging deep under the action waiting for some injured, easy meals to come drifting down to her. I really like this response and agree to an extent... do you find this applies more to larger bodies of water? This is kind of a conglomerative answer from my experience fishing in TN, AL, MS, SC, KY, and TX and everything from creeks to deep reservoirs. I think there's a lot of "prison logic" to the way bass operate; biggest, baddest inmate takes the good table at the cafeteria and sometimes your lunch too. Most of the time they run with their own type and occupy certain areas, sort of thing.

Trout Eagle.... Deadly from everywhere.

What would you suggest? The only reason I said Allumalite because they have a kit for 80 bucks, enough to get my feet wet and figure out resin baits. But if you have a cheaper alternative I'm all ears. Should be painting a few today, hopefully anyway. I'll try and get some pics up when I can. Firstly: Your baits are looking great. Nice work on your profiles and shaping work. Word to the wise: Be cautious if you are going to buy the $80 kit. That comes with the reg Alumilite resin and it is great and very strong for certain applications but here is one thing to keep in mind when it comes to the tan og alumilite resin..... it has a 90sec set time. So if you are getting your feet wet, make sure you understand what you are doing and how to work your mold efficiently. That water freezes up quick. Good luck and thanks for sharing

My SK converted 250's rear skin was "glued" at the edges and it took just a little work to loosen it. After that, it's a very similar process to the front skin.

Some guys like to wait 10mins for it to set up a bit but I always liked to use it after about 2-4 mins of slow mixing. It still flows nicely without having the thick coat build up instantly and it takes care of the thinning aspect while retaining all of the epoxies properties. Etex just take too long to set and if you thin it, it will move around a lot easier... so make sure you're using a turning wheel. Just be cautious and IF you choose to thin it, start with a very low ration of Acetone and go from there. Remember not to add too much because it will degrade the structural attributes of the epoxy (much like over reducing your paint) and may take way longer to set, not set at all, or run completely off a certain area. Make sure to control even the smallest bubbles you may get while applying the Etex (especially if it's thinned). If a bubble pops (even a minuscule one) the epoxy will pull away from that area and leave you with a cratered finish. Good Luck

For me it depends on the time of year and several other factors, but here are some of my general thoughts on the subject; (disclaimer, this is not relative to year round activity, nor do I think that this is exclusive to the entire country's fisheries, since each fishery is different and unique) I feel like I'm in the wrong location or focusing on structure or cover that, while holding a concentration of 2-5#ers, is not going to hold the big one I'm after. Big fish occupy their own territory and don't like to compete with the smaller, faster fish and usually will claim a "key local", whether it be structure of cover. The drop off point you mentioned is a good example example.... the shallow water cover/structure that attracted the smaller fish might be too exposed for the big girls and keeps them in their comfort zone where they are hidden better and can ambush prey more easily without expending a lot of her energy. Even if that drop was only two feet, if it is different enough from the rest of the area, she will claim that for herself. There are times when big fish pack up and hunt/feed together but usually with other bass in the same class as herself. Now on another note... if there is schooling action going on (smaller fish 12-16ish"), there is a good chance that there is a momma hanging deep under the action waiting for some injured, easy meals to come drifting down to her.

Congrats on your PB! That's a pretty fish.

Nice fish man. Glad you beat the slump.

That's a stud. Congrats man!

Solid fish

That's just a dirty color. Very nice!

Haha, DDs. If that means Drippy-nosed Dumb@$$, then that was me (for the hour I could stand it today). Texans are pretty resilient people... Until it gets cold and wet.

I haven't seen the code posted yet, but I'm gonna go suck it up in the cold rain and hope for luck. I've got the date, name and a space for the code on my scale should it pop up today.

Are you saying that after you cast and go to turn the handle to engage the spool the bar doesn't snap up and lock the spool in to gear? If so, even if just infrequently, have the clutch pawl checked out. (If your problem is like what I asked about) I had the same problem with some of my Gen3 Revo SX this year doing that (brand new) and when my reel repairman looked inside, Abu had decided to make most of the clutch pawl out of plastic and so it flexed and wore down quickly. I had him replace the clutch pawls out on all my reels and never had the problem again. Not sure if this will help out, and I'm def not an expert reel repairman but it was nice (when I found out) to know that the problem was an easy $5 swap and not a waisted investment in a new crap reel.

Damn. I want one, but not that bad. I'll convert 3 SKs and be happy to wait for the BB to fall from the sky one day. But... I'm in TX and trout pattern just doesn't give me $300-400 worth of confidence. The baits do work tho.

^^agreed, it either gets hostile or legal real fast if someone is pissed off enough. Then pulls out a gun, knife, etc. People are crazy, my point is that you NEVER know what kind of day someone is having and you NEVER want to be the unlucky person that says that ONE THING that pushes them over the edge. Be cordial, keep a smile on your face and carry on with your day. I'm not saying every person in the world is armed and insane, I am saying that there is no way of picking those people out from the rest. ^^^^^^ that chick sounds crazy but don't underestimate people like that. You'll find a boiled bunny in your kitchen or something.

In

...or a Ride 135, David. I'm just shy of 6'5" and the 135 is very comfortable and very stable.

I've had many, but I think my greatest high I got was test swimming a 10" wake that I made and on the second cast, this big girl smashed it.

SD jam for floro and a double trilene knot for mono. No real reason for using two knots just a habit I formed using different types of lines.

As far as the folding hook, the problem with mine was that the hook was a little loose in the slot and came loose/out frequently on hitting the water, especially if procure got anywhere near the stinger, so I added another piece of heat shrink to the rear hook and it now stays firmly in the slot and the hookup is solid since the rear hook isn't prone to slouching anymore and stays upright..

Looks really good man!

Movin that bait. Very cool, Don. Thanks for sharing.

Cool pics and nice fish, bud!