Dwight Hottle

Talk to an installer of keel guards. I'm sure they would help you with some advice.

Josh there is a big difference between a public pond or lake and a managed private lake or pond. The managed water is private with controlled fishing pressure. It will not have a stunted fish population but a maximized quality fish population. Depending on its age there could be a large population of big fish. The owner typically maintains a strong forage base so that the bass reach maximum size & growth on an accelerated basis. Knowing the differences between the public & private managed water the fish caught from the managed water will be bigger & healthier than the public water. They might also be easier to catch but not always because they might be more than adequately fed. The question is it cheating is up to you as an individual to determine. Most guys I have fished with do consider the private pond to be easier to catch a big fish than public water. I think the average knowledgeable fisherman realizes that a fishing show done on private water is not going to be as difficult as filming on public water hence the bias. Rest assured the Bill Dance does catch more & bigger fish from his private waters than he would from public water. It's just an easier film job.

Steve it WAS worth the wait. Joe does really does beautiful work. I think he has done Steve Sworrall's mounts.

I would ask him/her if they can see my line?

X2 I used the MHX 3 piece travel blank (TR844.5-3-MHX) & was using baits that exceeded the weight limit (SK 10XD) with zero problems.

Great bass man.

Spybaits, jerkbaits, crankbaits lipless & billed baits. You can also try flutter spoons. The spybaits & lipless cranks you just have to count down to the depth you are seeing fish.

Well if anyone can do it you have proven yourself based on past performance. Beware Mrs. musky.

Welcome to BR. You have a great fishery up there.

Great, great story.

The OP needs to talk to the fishes. That my friend is the only way to get the answer to your question.

Looks good.

Pretty good twosome.

Muskys have no taste at all. They prefer smallies to walleye & we all know that is backward. I have never tasted smallmouth so I can't offer an opinion but I did eat a lake St Clair musky back in the early 70's and it was not very good. In my defense back then muskys were not protected by catch & release policys like they are today.

Copper doesn't work.

This plus gold in off color water/dirty.

My best day for size was 5 largemouth between 43-44lbs down at lake Baccarac in Mexico. My best day for size was 5 smallmouth between 30-31lbs on lake Erie.

I like pea soup! Nicely done sir.

Sweet video.

10-20% depending on how special the day was. If the guy stinks forget the tip. Short story.

Big EZ is a killer bait from FL to upper Canada. I have caught pike up to 23lbs on them in northern Saskatchewan. Captain Shane Procell caught his first DD bass on one last year. They do work.

Owner Weighted Twistlock Light 5/0 hook 3/32 I use them all the time in 5/0 & 6/0 for Toads, paddletail swimbaits & t-rigging other baits.

Hope you have a quick recovery.

Buy some VLO, they are making money hand over fist. The refineries are a choke point between supply & demand. Plus they have to switch back & forth between summer blend & winter blended gas. That always interrupts the supply as well.

Nice job AK. Time to shoot for the hall of fame category.