Dwight Hottle

Yes I'm a closet troller. Trolling is not boring when it produces trophy fish of any game fish species. It is more effective than casting when presenting a bait at a prescribed depth. Successful trolling is a learned skill which helps you with all fishing endeavors. Heck you can even troll top water baits successfully. Just ask Katie aka @Swamp Girl I like to drift fish for smallies with jerk baits. I can target specific depths from 8-25 feet with ease. When the wind doesn't work I use the trolling motor to maintain a specific speed between .5 mph up to 1 mph or so. Throw in a few stops for good measure. Lots of times you will get bit when stopped. I always troll or drift with the wind at my back so it pushes the boat forward imparting extra action to the bait from the surge. When you are casting to a specific spot why not troll to the next spot when your ready to move. Having a bait in the water consistently catches more fish. And when your tired from casting or slinging heavy baits like A-rigs or musky sized baits or deep diving crank baits that wear you out just troll. Trolling is an art and a science for me.

@Glenn You most have gotten my comment about it being cold in Oregon. Wink Wink

O-H... is going to the NATTY.

@Bucks Bass and Bourbon I share your favorite, smallmouth.

Capt Jack Sawer senior linebacker for the win. Go Bucks.

I’m I the only member watching the semi finals?

@fishballer06 That was Happy Bay, only a few minutes from the launch.

Count the wife's contribution and you are at 106. Job well done by you both.

@Glenn it was cold in Oregon last night.

Suffix 131 is the longest casting braid I have found. It is much better than Suffix 832. It is more round, doesn't dig in on the spool & is not susceptible to wind knots.

I have discovered the best rod for 1/2 oz cranks & heavier is a swim bait rod rated 1-3 oz & 7’-6” in length. It’s rated MMH. Specifically the Loomis IMX+ swim bait rod. It throws a 3/4 oz lipless a country mile & handles a 10XD without problem. The longer length gives better leverage for distance & helps keep fish pinned after your hook set. Plus it serves double duty with swim baits & cranks & makes a good wild shiner bait rod too.

Hoping to add a few more.

My two best for 2024.

@Pat Brown Sweet !

@gim I don’t know, alternate stadium.

Only about 55 million in repairs. Should be ready for the 2026 season.

Done.

Quality control issue. Hit & miss thing.

@J._Bricker @Catt I didn’t write the title either a moderator did by changing my original title posted in Everthing Else.

@Blue Raider Bob Are you using straight braid? If so try using a short mono leader, it’s stiffer & won’t foul like braid. The attachment hole closest to the front of the bait is what want to use for horizontal retrieves. The center holes are for vertical jigging.

Since this is an old post I'll update my new PB. She weighed 7.47. Funny thing @Lucky Craft Man started this post hoping to catch the elusive 7lber & as of now he has three smallmouth over 7lbs to his credit. I think he did a pretty good job of full filling his dream.

Good luck. I got a buddy that just had that done. He had bleeding for a few days but all is well now.

https://www.dailysentinel.com/news/local/pro-fisherman-popular-youtuber-ben-milliken-charged-with-fishing-tournament-fraud/article_7a9d1efc-8fff-5ba1-94f7-b14520ec8879.html

I drink mine black as it was intended. I spend a lot of time & effort securing my favorite.

Use a slip bobber with a rubber stop.