Good going getting that monkey off your back Rip'. Congrats, your on your way now.

I hope I can remember all those Q's in your post, because this BB software doesn't have the scroll down thread review feature.

Let's see ... I don't care what happened for you this weekend without washing your hands. DO wash your hands with a good fishermen's handsoap before handling tackle and periodically while out fishing. As for scents, good ones do help. But as I've posted before they should be used lightly - too much of a good thing is not always a good thing.

As for your tube jig on a bead chained hook shank, I like that idea. Let us know how it works. I've tried a small scented Gooey Bob simulated egg cluster in the hook shank for Warts and done well. Also using a chunk of crawfish tail in the hook is effective at times. That is similar to using sardine wraps on Kwikfish. And I prefer the beadchain to treble off the belly eyeloop over the back hook rigup. The hook extends back a little further and stays stabel in the strike zone, rather than flapping back and forth so that marginal hookups can occur more often. This is even more a factor for tail flapping Kwikfish.

Now, try using a float or straight drifting jigs or eggs and hook some fish. You'll get the hang of it quickly if you pay attention to what the knowledgable guys on the river are doing, and reading the tips guys post here. Good luck.

RT