Dwight Hottle

The guys that fish heavy abrasive cover like the big O like heavy braid 50-65 lb for the nasty stuff. I totally understand your thought process as 30 lb braid breaks at 40-50 lbs. But nasty cover requires heavier braid to stand up to the nasty thorn bushes & other nasty cover.

Congrats on your new PB. Well done.

My comment was based on what I read & the way I interpreted it. My apologies for my comments since your statement was in lieu of not having a scale.

Ask the dealer who is selling you your new boat what the trade in value of your old boat would be. That wholesale value would be a fair price to sell to a friend. If it is a good friend consider A-Jay suggestion .

I don't know what planet you are living on but that is the most asinine statement I have read in a long time. Why would you guesstimate a fish weight when you can have an empirical measure by using a scale. World records & all weight records require a scale for a reason. There is no better estimate than a reliable scale. Period!

Some states have a citation reward for fish caught exceeding certain set standards. Any fish over the weight or length minimum can be submitted for recognition by the state. Like infishermans master angler awards. Any fish exceeding the standard are referred to as citation fish whether you submit them or not.

Try working the bait to the side with short tapes and sweeps. You can also work the bait up if you are using a deep diver bill suspending jerkbait.

"Havent caught much of anything lately till this." Looks like a pretty good start to me. Congrats.

My guess is 7-8lbs. Very good quality fish. You should be very happy with your new PB.

Brian BUY IT IMMEDIATELY If it brings you half the luck A-Jay's has it will be cheap at half the price.

I would say your attitude is rather selfish. The only way to know what a fish weighs is to put it on a scale. Period.

X2 When those three elements coincide its game on.

My "Dottie" was 9lbs 4oz. She also had a black spot on her upper gill plate.

It also helps to avoid acidic foods & drinks before you go out. There is a ginger regime that you can try to help with seasickness. Taking ginger capsules several days before & during your trip. It does help.

He is not very excited or has a really subdued personality for a fish that size on a frog. I would be jumping out of my skin with that catch on topwater.

Looks like a dottie from south of the border. Notice a similarity

Sweet fish & photo Wayne.

Nice video guys. Couple of movie stars.

I would guess 7-8 ish but we will never know.

My prespawn smallie action starts to slow once the surface temps hit 60 degrees. Unlike many other "lakes" Erie does have underlying current west to east. She flushes herself 13 times a year and keeps Niagara Falls beautiful.

Anybody want to guess how long this one will last?

Lake Athabasca in Saskatchewan for big pike & lake trout. Lake Baccarac in Mexico for big super fighting largemouth. Lake Erie for big smallmouth. Lake St Clair for muskie.

In line spinner bait, blue fox vibrax #5.

Sounds like you guys did pretty good for the conditions. Water looks pretty stained.

Try the 30 lb braid and see how it works for you. I always try to drop the braid weight after I get comfortable with what I am using. If you are totally happy writh the 30 then give 20lb a try.