Jonn Graham

Maui Jims are not made in Peoria. I used to think that until I called them and they told me they are just shipped out of Peoria (headquarters).

Turn the lights off in a room and stick a flashlight inside the waders. YOu will find the hole quickly

Here is the other picture. the first pic is an 18 incher caught on the fnf. If you look close you can see the float n fly jig protruding from the fish's mouth.

I plan to discuss, in length, the float n fly technique at the blowout.

With all this cold weather, the river temps. have really plummeted. This is the definitely the time to fish the float n fly. I have noticed that when that river temp gets down to the high thirties and low forties, the float n fly normally will out fish all other techniques (provided you have clear water). Above these temps, the float n fly technique is only fair and does not seem to beat a jerkbait, tube, or other small jig worked slowly on or along the bottom. Here are a couple of nice smallies I caught on the float n fly late in November.

I have a pair of costa del mars. Got them on sale at Dick's a year or so ago. $70 bucks I think. They are great.

Try Stamina.

Yah, the weather was great. Glad to hear you had some success with the jerkbait. I caught a few on the x rap yesterday. Matter of fact, they were caught on a custom painted x rap by yours truly. I call it chartreuse shad........pretty cool color combo. Too bad I threw it into a tree after lunch.

I will just have to paint another one.

take care

Caught quite a few this past weekend. Yesterday was probably the best. Caught 26 smallies. Best fish was around 15 to 16 inches. Friday I did stick a real nice 18.5 incher. Looking forward to the rest of the winter.

Steve:

The gloves are not that tight that they cut off circulation. They are just right. They have a velcro tightner on each wrist. Real nice! It will be interesting when it gets colder to see if they can keep my hands warm. I do know one thing, they are easy to fish with.

Mark:

I picked up some really nice gloves from wal mart. They are Rocky hunting gloves. They are a lot like baseball batting gloves. I bought them extra small so they would fit tight on my hands. The palms of the gloves seem to have just a slight tack to them. So far, I love them. I think they were around $12. I will post a pic of a smallmouth where I am wearing the gloves.

here they are:

I will be speaking at that show.

Check out this link!!! Great looking stuff at prices so low they are basically free!!!1

http://www.swimbait.com/assalt/closeout.htm

I am officially now selling custom painted hardbaits. Jerkbaits, topwaters, cranks, you name it. I have some stock patterns but will paint to suit anyone. My charges are as follows:

If you supply the bait - $5 charge plus shipping (which will be nominal)

If I supply the bait and paint it - $8 - $12 depending on how much the actual bait costs me to purchase.

My turn around time would be about 1 week. I will post a few pics of my work below.

I can be reached at 309-399-7055. Or send your baits to:

Jonn Graham

2385 E. Pattonsburg Rd.

Minonk, IL 61760

Here is one photo

And here are some poppers

I echo Scott's sentiments. Fish larger baits and your results will change. In addition, you will be shocked by how many dinks you will still catch on larger baits.

First off, I am really into this lure painting! I am getting better by leaps and bounds every week. I am finding new products that have made my work much better than the ones in the photo that Jim posted. I just go ahold of a clear coat material that really makes my finished lures shine!

My specialty so far are jerkbaits and topwaters, but I am painting just about any type of hardbait. If you are looking for a color combination that you cannot find in the stores, let me know and i can probably produce it.

I will post more pics of some of my latest work when I can figure out how to post pics on the site.

Hey, that is not a bad idea.

I just throw them in the front stuff pocket of the Tals wading pack. Have not had a problem storing them like that. The hooks never seem to stick into the tough denier material.

yah, it was me. What a deal...........they cost next to nothing. I can't wait to see mine framed.

I will be receiving my framed Agnew prints in a few days. Can't wait to get them on the wall. If you can believe it, my wife just renovated the living room and went with a fishing theme.............wow! We already have one Agnew on the wall in the living along with my mounted smallmouth from Powerton. Hopefully I can get the two new Agnews in the living room alsol

I have gotten into painting hardbaits. I am incredibly pretty good at it. Normally, me and artistic ability have had no relationship. But it seems I have found my artistic niche. Anyway, I am looking for old crankbaits that are maybe beat up and need a new paint job. I am willing to pay a fair price for them. A few of my favorite models are:

Bandit 100 series

Bomber Model As

Bomber Fat As

Cordell's Plastic Big O

These are just my favorites, but I am willing to investigate anyone's offers. Thanks

First off, I normally target the mid day period rather than first thing in the morning. Whereas in the summer I throw big and small baits, in the fall I tend to leave the small baits at home unless we have had a real nasty cold front, then I may rely on a few bitty baits.

I like bigger buzzbaits, Sammy 100s, Gunfish 95, bigger, fatter tubes, and five inch grubs. I, like Eric, are really targeting the brutes when October rolls around. Can't wait!

Wolf:

I was born and raised in P-Town. Shoot me a PM

I have always heard that the smallies in the Edwards are few and far between. But you cannot always trust what someone tells you.

Self exploration is always a joy............fish or no fish.