J Francho

Come to western NY, for that matter. EU milfoil, coontail, water chestnut... A 5 lber can own you in that stuff.

I don't like the way the wind grabs them on the deck when I'm running. Then again, I'm running 70-75 mph, lol.

Those mushy, pressure bites in early spring are the toughest. I can't imagine how many fish I missed when I first learned this. If it doesn't feel like a jig anymore, set it!

Anyone "scared" to use a toothpick should realize that we use them to peg little trout beads to the leader above the hook. That leader is 4-8# fluoro. The fish can weigh up to 20 lbs. If nicking the line were an issue, then it would surely appear in this application. It isn't an issue at all. It worked for years before all the fancy bobber stops came out, and it still works, and it holds better and is faster to rig. I've gone back to them after trying everything else. Win.

OK, what is so hard about launching and loading? I dip the stern in, fire up, and back off the trailer, if I'm alone. If I have a partner, then I simply back in a little further and they either handle the ropes, or stay on the trolling motor. When I'm done, I simply drive on. I've done the same with everything from open bow runabouts to tiller deep-v boats, to aluminum and glass bass boats. I'm not buying into the ease of launch - I actually think this would make it more difficult, and almost require side guide on rails. Blue, pony up for some pressure treated and fresh carpet. Make sure you get the carpet intended for this. Should last you years.

I liken it to finesse as well. Not as in finesse gear, but as in finesse through the weeds, quiet, soft presentations. Once hooked, there's no finesse,but mayhem, lol. There are other times, when I'm using a heavy, heavy jig, and crashing through there. But, often it is the former.

You need better than a MM for deep divers, but you're still pulling too hard. Speed isn't the key with the deep cranks. Slow it down. Way down. A MH/moderate rod, 7' or longer will do it. You should just barely have a slight bend in the tip, and feel the slow pumping of the bait.

The G is still an upgrade over the reel put out before the E - the D series. The E was a real bonus for the money, and the fact that it's the basis for the Chronarch speaks volumes of the quality of the reel. My advice, if you need a reel now, and it has to be a Shimano, get the Curado G. If you can save up, look for a gently used Curado E or a new Chronarch E.

I think Mitch had something as well. That may have been the Keuka fish - rings a bell now. But that fish just looked like a bland or sick smallmouth. Never "patterned up" in the livewell.

Last meal ever? Why spoil that on something nutritious! I'm eating ice cream. Until I vomit.

List at 10K. Also list the electronics at a separate price, but give a couple hundred less if they buy the boat and electronics together. Take a TON OF PICTURES!!!!

There are SO MANY kayak anglers in VA, lol. Chuck will get you hooked up with a good crew of great fishers.

I used to "spray for monsters." Use something stinky, like original Lysol. Tell him you only need to spray once.

I struggled with the weedless "bass" variety for years. I'd used bucktails, hair jigs, and grubs on ball heads for years, but that was more like cast and reel in type fishing, or letting current sweep the bait, ticking along the bottom. It wasn't until I saw an older man meticulously pick apart a weed flat that I got it. He used short casts - pitches, and an occasional flip cast, and simply tore up the fish with his graceful, quiet approach. I still can't work a jig like he did, but I'll die trying.

Just bury the hook deeper in the plastic.

Lead from lead paint can easily be ingested or inhaled, and can cause a problem. Lead fishing doesn't present the same problem, unless you burn it or eat it.

Even if you do use rod gloves, this helps when the rods are out on the deck as well. Am I the only one that cringes when you see a guy hook the bait on the third or fourth guide from the tip, and reel up so much that the tip is bent over?

No sushi should ever smell fishy. If it does, run Or else you'll get the runs. .

Besides, the meanmouth claim is from North Ponds. No smallmouth there.

I have yet to see anything that looks like a hybrid. Since there are no spotted bass, that isn't possible either. Obviously, lmb x smb have been created in a lab. Spots are well known to interbreed in nature, but their range doesn't extend this far north.

You can take my Bullet for $10K. Liquidating the fleet, lol.

Yep, Attach your bait to the hook keeper, and twist the line around the rod over the 1st guide for tangle free storage.

Greta story! Not a bad 1st hudd fish either.

LOL, I think Bill gets a diver to unhook his snags. But seriously, I just like this one because the reel keeps the line from tangling up in storage. I think I got on sale for like $10 or so. Not real easy to use at first, but it works once you get the hang of it.

You should try a weedless hudd on a split shot rig. LOL.