Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    On the surface a yellow-bellied jitterbug with long pauses and brief
    twitches, when that isn't working I buzz it a bit.  Also a Tiny
    Torpedo buzzed and paused briefly.
    
    Below a deep bodied brown/silver scaled Rapala (Shad Rap I think) with 
    a steady, slow retrieve.
    
    I use many baits, but have not learned to be as effective with others
    yet.  I will try to learn to fish soft baits this year.
    
    I work over the promising structure methodically and quietly from 
    a canoe.  Looking forward to being out there again.  Best waters mostly
    iced in as of last Sunday, though I did take a fat 17" Rainbow along 
    the edge of the ice on a tiny Countdown Rapala.
    
    Jack
    

      After many years of using a footlocker full of fancy and expensive
    lures, scientifically designed and sold to me for a alf a fortune, I've
    parked the footlocker in the closet and use only 2 basic lures all year
    long.....also, these 2 basics have caught 99.9999% of the Largemouth
    and Smallmouth bass that I've landed over the past 20 years...
    
    
       (1) Spinnerbait...usually 3/8 or 1/2 ounce with 2 colorado type
    blades, chartreuse, yellow,, white or orange skirts, or a comination of
    those colors, occasionally mixed with soem black. The color and/or
    combination depends mainly on the water clarity. This lure will work
    almost anytime of the year, because it can be presented and retrieved
    in so many ways. You can fast retrieve, just cutting the surface and
    causing  a real racket, slow retrieve, jerk-and-drop, bounce on the
    bottom, or simply slow-fast-slow-fast causing it to dive and jump...
    
      (2)Plastic worms. I use "Producto" brand, and most often use a black
    grape, chameleon grape, grape or strawberry color. Color agains depends
    on the water clarity. I prefer to use the 8" size, "Texas" rigged with
    an "Eagle Claw" weedless hook and a 3/16 or 1/4 ounce bullet sinker.
    For smallmouths, which I rarely get to fish for recently, I downsize
    this to a 6 or 4 inch with corresponding hook/sinker. 
         This is my "ace" in the springtime, and the proof of it was last
    spring's 7.5 lb. and the three that went over 5 lbs that were caught
    and released using the 8" black grape worms...
    
    
        My line is 17lb Stren, my reel is a medium-heavy Shimano
    "auto-cast" spinning reel, and my rod is a  4' 9" Heavy action Ugly
    Stick...
    
       John Mc
    

    Anything that catches fish is my favorite lure.

    I would have to agree with .2, the spinnerbait and the worm are hard to
    beat.  I do LOVE a black tiny torpedo twitched, pause twitch, twitch,
    pause, etc.  The "Jig n' Pig" is a good bait as well.  The Rattletrap
    (blue/chrome) is also a top producer, good for the white bass too.
    
    Wess V

      Re .3
    
      Yikes!!! That could include dynamite and hand-grenades.....
    
    
      Reminds me of a joke...
    
      An Old-timer invites this 'dude' to go fishing with him... The 'dude'
    notices as they motor away from the dock that the only piece of
    'equipment' of any kind in the boat is a wooden box...
    
      They get to the area where the fish are, and the old-timer opens the
    box, takes out a stick of dynamite, lights the fuse and throws it in
    the water....the resulting explosion causes a number of fish to float
    to the surface... The 'dude' looks at this in amazement, and sez: "Hey!
    isn't this sort of thing illegal??" And the old-timer lights another
    stick of dynamite, hands it to the 'dude' and sez: "Hell, are you gonna
    sit here talking or are you gonna FISH???"
    
      JMcD

    
    RE:  .5
    
    The way I had heard it, a gamewarden came upon the man with the
    TNT and he threw the officer one so he'd be guilty also.
    
    Either way, a good one!  :^))
    
    Fred

	I want to relace some treble hooks on my lures.
	I have many different sizes.

	How can I determine the size?
	Is there a chart I can get to match the size treble
	so I can buy the right one's?

	Or do I have to remove some and take them in for a match?
	Some lures have the hooks attached with eye's like key ring holders ;^)
	Some are attached direct and I'll have to cut off the hook.
	Do I get a ring or buy the treble that has it's eye open then
	clamp it shut? If so do you solder it on or home it stay's close
	for that big striper???

	-< Tuna Tail >- 

    	All the hooks I've ever replaced where bought locally. I just went and
    looked at the size and picked out what looked the same as what I was
    taking off.
    
    	I don't have any experience with "clamp on" trebles. You might want
    to go to a split ring if it doesn't adversely affect the lure action.
    If you go the clamp on route anyway, I would definitely consider
    soldering the eye.
    
    	RAYJ

	Someone in this file, or maybe the bass file, says he always
	replaces trebles using the mini-"key" rings, rather than attaching
	directly, and claims more hookups as a result.  If you think about
	it, it does seem like you'd get more angles for hook setting with
	a ring.  I wouldn't trust the clamp ons anyway, especially for that 
	50 lb striper. ;-)

	/Ken

    		Some of the best Striper lures on the market come with
    	the split eye hooks, including some of the Gibbs and Atom lures.
    	Between just those two mfrs. I'll bet -lots- of big Stripers have
    	been caught on that type of hook.
    
    		But...  When I replace hooks I -always- go with a solid eye
    	and a split ring!
    		Spag's usually has a good selection of both hooks and rings
    	behind the counter.  Don't be bashful about asking to have them
    	line up a few boxes for you to dig through.
    		If you're replacing hooks on Bluefish plugs too I'd suggest
    	some big single Siwash hooks.
    						B.C. 

Are there ever absolutes?  Absolutely!

1. *always* use the split ring (invest $3 or less in split ring pliers.  More
   and better angles for hook penetration.

2. *never* use open-eyed hooks.  Once you start bending metal you get metal
   fatigue.  When the metal is right about at the breaking point, that 50#
   striper will hit.

Tim

re: bunch a great reply's

	Thanks for quick response.
	I have a big creek chub lure that's old and doesn't have the
	eye's (split ring) but based on previous info I will replace
	with spit rings.

	Good suggestion on spags as I can use new lures on the shelf
	to match up the treble hooks I have on the one's at home unless
	I manage to remove one from each size lure I need replacing
	and bring them in.  I'll also bring in the split rings I have
	to make sure of the match otherwise will ask attendent for their
	best guess on match.

	Fantastic help
	-< Tuna Tail >- 

Dick,

You'll also find that a pair of split-ring pliers will make it much easier 
to open the rings.  Most good tackle shops and mail-order places carry 
them.  If you can find stainless steel rings, opt for them over nickel or 
others.  They'll last much longer.

Sigh....  stiff water sucks big time ... don't it?!?!

Joe

Joe,

When I check out the split rings and treble hook replacments I'll make sure 
to pick up the pliers at the same time. Thanks for reminder.

>>Sigh....  stiff water sucks big time ... don't it?!?!

I agree but it will take a big chill to stiff up the ocean ;^)
My 26-Nov run offshore was great.  Looking forward to late March launch 8^0

-< Tuna Tail >-

> Sigh....  stiff water sucks big time ... don't it?!?!

Not in my opinion...  I had a lot of fun with the largemouths the
other day...  first 4 fish for '94!

/Ken

    
    Dick,
    
    Have you been down to "Chun-Wi's" lately?
    
    I haven't been for 3 or 4 years but my son said she's got
    a good supply of "necessary" things.
    
    Fred

>     Have you been down to "Chun-Wi's" lately?
    
	aka Hillside Bait ?   Nice lady.  I get my freshwater bait there, 
	and they looked fully stocked last week.   My bro-in-law was getting
	some shiners there also, and had his son with him.  Chun-Wi (is that
	her real name?) fell in love with the kid, and said "if you leave kid,
	I'll give you extra shiner"  ;-);-)

	/Ken

    
    As for her name;  years ago when she was first getting started I
    called her by what I heard. "Chun Li".  She rapidly corrected
    me. Now if it's "Wi" or "Wee", (or maybe french like "OUI") :^)
    I dunno.  But she is a character, and a pleasure to do business
    with.  Just don't get numbers involved in the conversation when
    she's counting your bait! If the numbers mentioned are higher
    than her count, YOU get shortchanged!!  :^)   I've known her
    and Joe for - for - , you know, I can't put a time span on it!
    
    I've got company coming in from Europe in feb. and he wishes to
    try "ICE FISHING".   So I've gotta get my gear checked out, and
    then I'm going to try and bushwhack ole "TUNA TAIL" and twist
    his arm until he reveals a couple hot spots for pike at the 
    pond down the road from his house!  :^)
    
    Fred

RE: past few on "Chun-Wi's" aka Hillside Bait...

Haven't been there in awhile.  Almost went this past weekend to see if she
carries treble hooks etc.  But finally got most of them at the FAIR and
re-hooked all the big STRPER lures.  I'll need to get some smaller treble's
but most likely will get them at Spag's.  I think she's a riot and really
like the place but mostly for on the rare occasions I go freshwater.
I only did that one time last year and that was down the Cape on Nov 27th
for that nice trout I caught.

Anyway as for Pike spots down at the pond by my house.  I have never done
Ice Fishing out this way.  But I have seen some them fishing it.
Most likely the girls will want to do some skating on it with their new
ice-skates that "Santa" got them for Christmas ;^)
-< Tuna Tail >-