rps

As always, Al's analysis is excellent. While I throw two handed, it is with my right thumb on the spool and my left on the very butt end of the rod. When the bait lands, I switch my left hand to palm the reel and crank with my right. The process is muscle memory and not conscious thought. The two hand comes from the fact I learned to throw lures before I was very strong. While Al is spot on about the old Curado green reels without a letter, I urge you to consider NOT buying the Curado E. I had two self destruct at 13 to 15 months. An ABU Revo STX or Premier will be the modern equivalent of the Curado. I also own, enjoy, and suggest the modern Lews Tournament Pro. As far as the light rod dilemma, I solved that by making my own 6' medium power on a St. Criox blank - spiral wrapped Recoil micro guides. I fish my Top Dollars (3/8 ounce) on it and it doubles as my rod for throwing 1/8th ounce road runners for walleye.

Thank you for the report.

Yes, but in their twin spin model.

Today is my first day of Spring Break. Went to the marina to charge the batteries, take the rods and tackle back to the boat, etc. The ramp at Holiday Island looked like "let's take the old rig to the lake and see if it starts." Ran into my first ever AGFC officers. After the crowd goes home I'll slip out tomorrow to start my week of fishing.

Very neatly done gentlemen.

Gavin had it right! Victorinox Forschner with a quality sheath for 28 dollars. No power needed. Of course if I were cleaning 50 white bass I might vote for electric. However I clean 1 to 4 fish at a time and can enjoy old school.

I do not fish the Kings. On the upper White, early, jigs with minnows fished at the upper end of deeper holes downstream of islands, reefs, points are what produces the walleye.I hope your grandson enjoys his trip. I am now 50 years plus from those first few trips that hooked me for life.

Excellent information in this post. Read every word guys. My Spring Break is coming Bill. A full walleye report would be appreciated.

Each one must be left to sink/float/hold and each needs to be fished. I bet most will be great.

Don't know. I rarely fish cold weather. Cold is less tha 40 degrees to me. That area (between Leatherwood and Haddock creeks) is home to very large gar and a few largemouth. There are two micro structure places that hold walleye, but you have to be exactly on them.

One of the absolute joys of living here on the lake is that I can go out whenever the whim strikes me and I can fish any way I want. In the last several years that has meant I fish very early for topwater bass and then switch to walleye until I get too hot. Exceptions happen ... some days I will jig fish bass for quite a while. Other days I simply blow off top water fishing and start with walleye. Regardless, what exiledguide says is true. The accidental walleye on wigglewarts and jigs are often the best.

Shhh. They don't work for walleye.

I drove through the park at 4:30 this afternoon. Vehicles arriving - 2 or 3 in front of every cabin - and trailers/campers littered in the RV area. Park store and Tim's both looked quite busy. Wait until people get off work.

Handsome fish. See my green?

Good heavens! What a horrible problem - finding the ultimate prop for your machine! BTW, that was meant as funny because I am so envious you have this kind of problem to solve. I hope someone can help you and I hope you find the right solution. Do report back and do tell us how you enjoy your new ride.

JD My end is not the smallmouth end or I would volunteer to show you all a location or two. Good luck!

Elusive is almost too mild a word. I have lived at Holiday Island since 2002 (not very long after the LBV wiped out most of the big fish). The fishery here is amazing. I expect a six pound fish every year. Almost every year my expectations are met.On the other hand, in all those years I have only caught two fish at or above 23 inches long. Both went back in the water, so I have no official scales number. What I do carry, a Cabelas spring scale with a calibration device, said one was 8 and a half and the other was right at 8. I guess you will need to move here to make it happen.

Down lake is excellent. What I was laughing about is how everyone forgets about the upper end. And I like that.

One more for Yo Zuri.

I like it when everyone decides to fish down lake.

To control speed and distance, I find my thumb on the spool to be far better than a fore finger on flying coils. I also believe the release point, a critical element of accuracy as well, to be more precise with bait casting equipment. Maybe others can handle spinning equipment as well as they do bait casting. I cannot.

Now that is solid advice..

Here at the upper end of TR, we had a little snow last night. Around 5:00 this morning the freezing rain began, followed by sleet. I cancelled my dental appointment in Rogers. It may be fine over there, but the 16 miles on 62 between here and there has large patches of slick as snot, side of mountain road.

I fish a 6' fast action, medium power SCV St. Croix blank I tied with Recoil micro guides in a spiral fashion with a split Fuji grip. It weighs nothing. I put a Revo MGX on it. It weighs nothing as well. I can easily fish 1/8 to 3/4 ounce baits. The only problem? Nearly $500 in the rig. Is it what I wanted? Oh yes!