Dwight Hottle

Utterly amazing especially at the age of 69.

I think it was the IMX that was the top of the line when it was introduced. GLX came several years later.

Welcome to BR Bob.

No but I have a close friend that does. I"m in SE Florida, Juno Beach south of Jupiter & north of the Palm Beaches.

Cost of living will probably be less in South Carolina but the fishing will better in north/central FL. Are you looking at the Villages? That's much different than living in the burbs elsewhere.

@T-Billy That's been my experience especially with wood baits since they get a couple of teeth into the wood & you can't move it for a hook set. That's why I prefer hard plastic or metal so you can move it enough to get a hook set.

Welcome to BR Steve.

By catch on jerk baits while fishing for smallies.

Welcome to BR.

My solution to your problem might work if you have enough flexibility to pull off a fishing vacation or trip where you and some friends can get away & fish as long as you want. Staying in a fish camp where the only distraction is fishing might satisfy your desires. Or maybe hire a guide for an 8 hour day or dawn to dusk trip. Just you & him.

Bacon & eggs with toast & grits if we go out to breakfast before fishing. Otherwise it’s my standard eat at home breakfast of low fat yogurt with fruit & a black coffee. Helps eliminate surprises out on the boat if you know what I mean.

Well I got semi close. Still a fall trip coming so I'm not out of it.

Some extra pics that didn't make my other post. Last pic is the storm that chased us off the lake with 2-4 foot waves & building.

I'm guessing your going to be post spawn based on what I saw in Erie last week.

In Kistlers defense I have owned about 8 of them & gifted several more to a friend. We have never had a breakage issue or a guide/guide insert issue. They have always been good value for the money. PS I only buy them on sale.

This years best smithwick rogue fish.

Got to spend 5 days fishing with my buddy's Robert from Hawgtech & Cory Elder of XTR in Erie Pa waters. Rob's first fish on the first day was a new PB @ 6-4. Doesn't get any better than that. The first two days were the best then as the water warmed & the wind went flat the smallies decided it was time to get in the spawning mood. We really scratched to get smallie bites after that. We did get plenty of action from brown trout, walleyes , drum, channel cats & a few big perch. Had a great time enjoying each others company & getting some quality fish to the boat.

You’re living in dream land for sure. That’s a trip that you will remember for ever. Congrats & welcome to the 7lb club.

My first smallie of 2024 caught on a smithwick rogue DD imagine that.

I get 5 feet more depth than published depths by using 10 lb braid. Nishine baits make a small weight you add to split rings. Available by tackle warehouse or you add tape weights or suspend dots.

Largemouth pb was on a loomis imx swim bait rod 7.5’ 1-3 oz paired with a curado 200 & 17lb suffix advance. Smallmouth was on a St Croix legend tournament 7’ mhm spinning rod paired with a Certate 2500 & 10lb braid with a mono leader.

White is a good color in almost all waters. Especially tanic or off color water. Welcome to BR.

Well done sir.

Sounds like a great weekend. I’ll bet that trip with your dad was really therapeutic for both of you. I know my first smallie trip after my cancer surgery was a big highlight for me.

Enjoy your retirement you earned it.