Dwight Hottle

Just do it. The Advance is really good stuff.

I fished Erie for about 12 years running and I never targeted 3-4 lb smallies. I targeted the biggest fish in the system. I’m sure I caught more 4-8 lb fish than 1-4 lb smallies. I fished with jerk baits mostly between 1/2 oz to 1 oz. My only finesse fishing was with a drop shot or hair jig. Erie is one of the very best smallmouth fisheries in the world so take advantage of it. Use medium weight rods & 8lb line as a minimum. Enjoy your finesse approach but be prepared to catch some trophies. I did play around with some Ande 4lb IGFA line & hair jigs for smallies after I satisfied my thirst for trophy bass. I knew my next bass could be a new PB but my chances of landing it would be reduced.

Congrats on the new PB. Beauty for sure.

I prefer both but they are two different animals. I use the rapala husky jerks both regular & deep divers HJ14 for the excellent suspending action & because they are a larger profile with good depth control. My best colors have been glass perch, purple perch & clown. If I'm fishing in pike waters the less expensive HJ gets the nod over the 110. The 110' 110+1 & 110+2 are great baits but better suit a smaller profile for me like an Ima Flit. Best color with them is french pearl, kchoku reaction, ito wakasagi & gg deadly black shad. But all their colors look hot.

I have had two calais dc's, met dc, exsence dc and an antares dc my current favorite. They have all been fun to use & the accompanying whirl sound is infectious without a doubt. My advice to you is get one you can afford & try it out. I use my Bantams mostly day in & day out but utilize the calais dc frequently with jerkbaits.

You noticed I hustled out not wanting to be an April Fools baby.

That was a good year. Always reminded me of a bad doggie comb over. LOL

I like my fried fish salted & peppered but skip the sauces. My wife likes hers with cocktail sauce. If I’m putting any sauce on its Tiger Hot sauce.

If you divide your soft plastics in different categories to cover all depths you should do well. First you need a soft jerkbait like a fluke to cover topwater applications. Second you need a soft swimbait to cover intermediate depths. Lastly you need a soft tube bait to cover the bottom applications.

Plus they look cool!

Can't help you with shore access as I have only fished it by boat.

One of the best lakes in all of Florida for big fish is Rodman. When we fish it we stay in Silver Springs just east of Ocala. Look here

Mine has a hidden meaning. I figure this way I have to own up to whatever I say.

40 3/8" is where I would score it. 40 1/2" if even with the tape at the front

Welcome to BR. Color above is Nishiki/clown. I also like Shell White/white and Aurora Black.

Sweet

My fishing life grew around the wisdom & teaching I enjoyed following Ron & Al during their rise to fame. What always appealed to me most was their dedication to multi-species angling. Ron was more known for his deeds than his words compared to his younger brother Al. You will be missed Ron not only by the fishing community but by many others for all you shared. RIP.

Very good choice. I used them exclusively after I discovered them.

Ask him first for his permission. I fished with a guide in the gulf who would confront any customer who copied his gps coordinates. He created a few federally illegal reefs by dumping concrete. Stealing his coordinates was considered stealing his livelihood. He would confiscate your phone or GPS if he caught you. Extreme case example but true. It all depends on the circumstances. Ask him first for his permission. I’m sure he will tailor his approach knowing what your expectations are.

d**n Brad that looks really bad. Hope you get some relief.

I had a jerkbait rod custom built on a St Croix Legend Extreme blank that is rated MHM. It was built on a SCV 5C72MHM-B. I use it exclusively with braid & a leader. It does keep those smallies pinned. I also have a MXH moderate fast built as a 3 piece travel rod which works well with braid or straight copoly for jerkbaits, topwater & cranks.

Your the one that's hooked now.

PB's are always sweet. Congrats!