abkeenan

I think it's what makes the Ned so great...simplicity. No frills, no flash, no true action. Should probably stay that way.

Don't go there....the "Beetle Spin" originators will be out in full force if you bring up that can of worms. But I think it was Timmy Horton that made it somewhat popular to put a little spinner in the tail section of a nedlike worm. Called it the MJ Rig.

That looks like it could be a winner. Not sure if it would work on a gut hooked fish but it might.

Yep. Just like anything else practice and getting comfortable with doing it makes perfect....or at least competent. Works GREAT and it's better for both the fish and you. I think I might have left out that I always start out by removing the plastic I am using off the hook or jig because it makes it easier. Might cost you a bait but every fish from is worth it to me. Glad that I helped at least one person out and that is why I post that same link from time to time.

^^^THIS

They used to have a KVD dinner on Friday night at Big Cedar but not sure they do that anymore. Also, yes the lunch they provide is FREE (along with your paid entry). So I guess it is not free technically but it's included in your $160 entry fee. At least that's how it's been the past 3 years I've fished it.

PM sent Trophy

Well it is criminal what he does to those poor innocent fish when he brandishes a War Eagle.

100%. I posted the video for reference but there are some things to be desired in that video....one not using your big fat fingers to go through the gills to reach the line or bait itself....and 2 don't keep the fish out of water that long!

It's not for everyone for sure. I'm sure when I'm your age my surgeon like steady hand skills will have left me by then. But seriously I don't like seeing guys jamming their fingers through the gill plates and hitting the gills which is why is use non-invasive thin wire and keep any contact to a minimum if at all. If you are going to be like a bull in a china shop in their gill region then best to just use the side cutters to cut the hook at the bend and extract your now useless bait. That is your penalty for letting them have it too long anyways.

Not sure why anyone buys reels at BPS when you can find them online for MUCH MUCH less. You can get a Tatula for 99.99 shipped to your door off Ebay brand new in the box. I just had one delivered yesterday actually. It's for my brother but I've handled them before and they remind me a lot of my Curado E's. Solidly built reels but will slap it on a rod and see how it performs in 2 weeks. Have heard nothing but good things about the Tatula so I'm sure it will be a winner but like others have said can't go wrong with Lew's and again look online and you can get them for 75% or less at what you see in stores.

While that does make sense we have been over this before on the forum. BPS and Oakley team up for the event and therefore they are going to have the weigh in at the BPS Long Creek Marina. If they are the ones sponsoring the event, catering, etc then they get to call the shots and of course want the event held on their properties.

Combs is a heck of a fisherman. Super power guy with cranks and big worms. KVD I also see is finally near the top of the leader board....it's early though.

I hear ya. I am good with just straight regular old Yozuri Hybrid co-poly on my fairy wand gear and I do alright.

I'll be there as well for both days fishing with my brother. One of my favorite weekends out of the the whole year.

When I gut hook a fish there are only 2 real options....the line through the gills rotating of the hook and removal or cutting the hook with the side cutters like others have mentioned. The through the gills method works 99% of the time if done correctly and doesn't hurt the fish at all. All you need is a thin yet rigid piece of wire (metal coat hanger strikes again!) with a hook or bend on the end to pull your line through the gills. Once you have the line fed through just pull it down toward the tail of the fish (while being held upright)...the hook will rotate 180...insert pliers.....put straight out...hook comes right out. VERY simple and takes about 20 seconds. Fish are none the worse for the wear, you have your bait back and you may not even have to retie. If you don't have steady hands and are concerned with going through the gills you could always just cut about 2 feet up the line from the mouth and feed that end through the gills without damaging the gills at all. Here are some videos and illustrations if you have never done it before. http://everything-smallmouth.com/gut-hooked-fish-removal/

Grandpa always did well on ZOOM texas rigged lizards in the spring. He usually used red, plum and pumpkin (peach colored not green) but also used watermelon with a chartreuse tail.

Those are all really nice. The Green Craw V38 is SPOT ON. The SP-V90 MO Craw is pretty close as well.

That looks like a winner right there Jim.

It ends up looking something like this only instead of piranha it's smallmouth:

Great report Bill.

I do the same thing with the screwlock hitch hikers. He said he doesn't have access to much really hence my cheapo solution of the coat hangers which should be available wherever he is staying.

I've used them for everything including unclogging a toilet to unlocking my running car with the keys in the ignition. Lol.

Heck, if your in a bind use a metal coat hanger. Make a loop at one end to attach to the arm and skewer whatever bait you want on the straightened out end. Should work. Could probably write a book on using a metal coat hangers as some sort of MacGyver tool in a pinch.