A bit of retrospect here:

[Uncle Jesse]

John,
I know where there a water hazard down in Hollywood that has small tarpon in it. I caught two on a bass weight spinning rod back 15 years or so ago, the largest was as long as my arm and the other a little smaller. I know as tarpon go they are babies but they were sure fun. The ponds are connected to the intercoastal by a pipe. I don't know how to get access these days as all my friends who formerly worked for the resort are gone with the change in management companies.

[weehooker]

I always like relearning things. It's what keeps the sport interesting (and me humble.)
Seems as I get older, I sometimes forget the methods I doggedly clung to as a pup, it gets easier to keep an open mind.

FWIW, I still prefer to catch bass (or most other species) on the surface. IMHO, a tug on the line is no substitute for a bass clobbering a big bait on the surface. Still, I have learned that their are combinations of conditions , locations and temprement of the fish that send me down deep. At these times, I do actually enjoy the process of figuriging out just what it is that turns them on.


p.s. If I had to feed myself on bass, I would no doubt go to a #10 black wolly bugger down low. Good Thread.