Dwight Hottle

Do want us to blow into your ear also?

Spro brought out a new size 70 in their popping frog which weighs 3/4oz.

Big congrats on the new PB.

There is no wrong way to work a jerk bait if you are catching fish. The whole idea of a jerk bait is to mimic a bait fish acting erratically or under distress. Walking the dog under water is a proven technique. Watching how your bait responds to inputs beside the boat or bank side will shorten your learning curve as to what looks good. My favorite retrieve for prespawn smallies are short jerks causing the bait to glide left then right, pausing then incorporating a long sweep or pull to the side covering at least a 90 degree movement. The sweep after the short jerks makes the bait look like it's getting away after floundering in the water. If you want to improve your jerk bait proficiency you need to practice what makes the bait look like its struggling in the water. There is plenty of info found here.

You are a warrior and an inspiration to everyone that knows you.

Both but primary reason is protection from moisture degradation.

Always feels great when you slime up a new rod.

Installer told me don't seal the first year wait until the 2nd year. After that he recommended sealing it every other year.

Just because they are labeled smallmouth doesn't mean they don't like bigger baits. For some reason bigger baits seem to challenge smallmouth into biting.

That same logic allows you the transgressed to cut across the trollers stern cutting their lines. Common sense must prevail otherwise someone's is going to get hurt.

The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & museum that occupied the first floor has been relocated to Springfield MO. The headquarters on the third floor are still in Dania. https://igfa.org/contact/

The IGFA headquarters moved to Texas a couple of years back.

Sounds like you had a really good opener.

The paint pattern is not from Lucky Craft based on the color charts they publish that I have seen over the years.

Most southern Florida deer are on the small side.

Your other choice is just cut the hook points off just past the barb & leave the rest of the middle hook on.

I was fishing a 10" worm when I tried to bomb cast ending up with a big old backlash. I messed around trying to clear it & finally did. While starting to reel in I noticed my line pulling so I set the hook and the next thing I knew I saw a 8' gator swimming under the boat with my completely engulfed worm in his mouth. He must have picked it off the bottom while I was pulling the backlash out. Needless to say he won the battle.

Your correct the jr has three hooks also. My favorite jerkbait for colder water under 60 degrees is a Smithwick rogue.

Jrs have two hooks regular has three.

Looks like a vision 110 knockoff to me

Clayton is there any chance he is drugged up & that might be causing his dementia symptoms? Good luck with the outcome either way.

I have been using mono over fluoro for leaders for a really long time. I just refuse to deal with the inherent weaknesses of fluoro from tying knots which requires two knots on a leader set up. Fluoro also suffers from impact weakness in cold water as experienced by lake trout fisherman in the northern waters that freeze over. That’s my experience.

Welcome aboard Noah.

d**n Catt you have had your share of bad luck recently. Hope you get some relief.

You can always learn from experience. Fishing with someone that has perfected a technique can be a real eye opener for the inexperienced. I have had a few guys school me & it was a lot of fun for both of us after I got over the butt whupping. LOL.