J Francho

I like an x-fast for drop shot, and any type rod tip twitch baits, like spooks, poppers, or jerkbaits. I also like x-fast for spinnerbaits, but it has to be a medium power. I want to be able to load the power mid section of the rod on the cast.

Cover and fish activity are good things to consider when picking line. We pretty much think the same way about line choice.

Lol, I can't believe that in this day and age people still think this. There's a TON of editing, but staging fish catches is time consuming and costly. The rule of thumb: three catches is a show. Three. Let that sink in.

Some waters could definitely benefit from some harvest.

Love it. Note, in that pic, the Mirage Drive is deployed, but with the fins tight to the hull, no need to remove the drive system in order to beach the boat. The whole clearance thing, and won't run through weeds is much ado about nothing. Never mind the fish catching mojo...

That place is something special when it's on.

Yep, they've been around a long time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Trading_Post

I realize the situation sucks, but we do not allow political discussions here, even as it relates to fishing. I suggest raising the issue locally, and contact your local representatives to voice your concerns. Thank you for understanding.

That's because a spammer bumped this thread up. I hid the post. We try real hard to nail them, but took a couple hours to get this one. The funny part, it was spam from an exterminator service!

Everything but the kitchen sink.

The king run should be massive. Charters are sticking some HUGE fish out deep.

I know that feeling. There was a large pond near my workplace a few years ago. I caught a 6-3 on a frog. While I was reeling it in, a much larger fish attacked it, much like I see smallmouth do. I'm haunted by that fish. Pretty sure it beat my PB NY largemouth, which is 7-2.

Bailey *almost* got a woodchuck last night. Never seen her run so fast. Luckily, she's very obedient off leash. When I yelled, "No - Down" hissed a little, she stopped dead, and got down. Good Girl! In other news, Rage Craws on Jika Punch Rigs are total waste of time.

Yes, it's a monofilament line.

In my experience, I find this plays out on the water. I in fact hooked a decent steelhead by accident, fishing a trap around deep dock pilings, one spring a few years ago. That thing wrapped me around a zebra mussel encrusted, steel piling. I could feel the line rubbing on the steel, and thought there's no way I'm getting this fish in. I did, a nice 10 lb. steelhead for the smoker. I checked my line, and sure enough, maybe 20 yards in, and for around 20 feet, the line was shredded. Pull tests could not break the line by hand. 10 lb. Tatsu.

They just debuted at iCast. I like Live Target's frogs, but little else from them. It's an interesting design.

Atlantics are making a comeback in my neck of the woods, too. Haven't caught one myself, but I've seen them caught. Nice job!

Port bay was pretty good on Saturday. Around 25 LM, 1 SM, and two northerns. Most were caught before 9 AM. Was out of there by 11 AM, when all the jet skiers and pleasure boaters wake up.

Haven't been over there in years, but Port Bay had a washed out spot, and te bit on that adjacent ledge and flat has declined.

Sorry, totally calm here. Sounds like you're projecting, but I digress. There's two pages here about rope length. You've been offered some very good advice, and why, but nope. You are coming up with all sorts of scenarios where you won't need to follow that advice. Plan for the worst, and hope for the best. Be safe out there. It can turn ugly in a second.

I use the five fillet method, and then use the carcass to make fish stock. When harvesting pike, leave the largest fish, and take the middling sizes, 25-30" are good. It can take up to a decade or more to replace that top trophy fish, once removed. Often, it's niche is filled by many "axe handles."

Also, here is how to rig it: https://www.saltwatersportsman.com/how-to-rig-an-anchor-release

Seriously? Just get a rope and be done with it. Who is really going to bring different ropes for different days? You're over complicating it. Get a 100' rope, and be done. You asked for advice, and a USCG veteran answered, but nah, you know better. It's a little silly, and it's a pattern you often repeat here. Ask a question, get reliable advice that you reject.

The most reliable way is cheek scale patterns, though it's easy enough to use patterns. Juvenile Esox can be tough, though. JBMaine's fish is definitely a Chain Pickerel. http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/cek7/nyfish/Esocidae/esocidae.html