08-15-2007, 12:01 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Hey Justin, just for the record, my fishing logs show that about the only place TubeBabe ever whacks me is at Lincoln Beach...fishing for cats. And even then, I end up top rod MOST of the time. But...who keeps track?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I readily admit that she is hard to beat when it comes to ketchin' those kitties. She has become a very competent overall anglerette, but cats are a special forte. When we fish at one of our catfish venues, TubeBabe is the model of concentration and determination. And, she has both the skill and the luck to attract the bigguns and to whup 'em when they bite. She don't lose many once they are hooked and she NEVER breaks them off...unless they find the heavy brush.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]That being said, on the days she comes out top rod on the kitties it is usually because I spend a lot of time tossing lures for other species and do not focus as much on the cats. I keep one rod baited for cats, but my attention is on the rod in my hands, throwing jigs or spinners or whatever. I probably miss a lot of the subtle pickups on the bait rod, just because I am not looking...and some of those cats have to be finessed. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]When TubeBabe hits the water, she might throw lures for a few minutes. But, unless the whities are active, she quickly changes the lure stick for another bait rod. She keeps two baits in the water at all times and she both holds the lines in her fingers and watches the line and rod for any hints of an "interested party". By picking up that rod and feeding line...before it pops free from the holder...she keeps finicky fishies from feeling anything unnatural and dropping the bait. That can be a key to catching more fish whenever they are more sensitive to feeling pressure. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, she is a proactive catter. She does not just "chuck and chance it". She fishes only in the right depths, with the right baits and the right gear. And, she takes advantage of every opportunity that comes along. That is a good strategy for all of us...for all species.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Of course, I would like to think that much of her success can be attributed to the excellent coaching, guide service, tackle tinkering, rod rigging, bait provision and online (walkie talkie) guidance she gets from yours truly. Yeah, I WOULD like to think that...but the truth is, she is just danged good at cattin'. Lucky too.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I readily admit that she is hard to beat when it comes to ketchin' those kitties. She has become a very competent overall anglerette, but cats are a special forte. When we fish at one of our catfish venues, TubeBabe is the model of concentration and determination. And, she has both the skill and the luck to attract the bigguns and to whup 'em when they bite. She don't lose many once they are hooked and she NEVER breaks them off...unless they find the heavy brush.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]That being said, on the days she comes out top rod on the kitties it is usually because I spend a lot of time tossing lures for other species and do not focus as much on the cats. I keep one rod baited for cats, but my attention is on the rod in my hands, throwing jigs or spinners or whatever. I probably miss a lot of the subtle pickups on the bait rod, just because I am not looking...and some of those cats have to be finessed. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]When TubeBabe hits the water, she might throw lures for a few minutes. But, unless the whities are active, she quickly changes the lure stick for another bait rod. She keeps two baits in the water at all times and she both holds the lines in her fingers and watches the line and rod for any hints of an "interested party". By picking up that rod and feeding line...before it pops free from the holder...she keeps finicky fishies from feeling anything unnatural and dropping the bait. That can be a key to catching more fish whenever they are more sensitive to feeling pressure. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In short, she is a proactive catter. She does not just "chuck and chance it". She fishes only in the right depths, with the right baits and the right gear. And, she takes advantage of every opportunity that comes along. That is a good strategy for all of us...for all species.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Of course, I would like to think that much of her success can be attributed to the excellent coaching, guide service, tackle tinkering, rod rigging, bait provision and online (walkie talkie) guidance she gets from yours truly. Yeah, I WOULD like to think that...but the truth is, she is just danged good at cattin'. Lucky too.[/#0000ff]
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