Dwight Hottle

I'll bet that is not bent it was made that way on purpose. How about it @DVT.

Blew the old record away. Don't let your children swim in Burnsville Lake! https://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/west-virginia-record-muskie/

The Matzuo pictured is probably a discontinued bait. I used to use a similar bait that had three trebles & the body measured 4.5" long on Lake Erie for smallmouth bass in 15-30 fow. All three of those baits would be good for walleye, pike & skis. They would be worth a try for largemouth. Matzuo shad bait.

My experience with shallow 1-10 fow smallies in lakes has been mostly prespawn fish in water temps from 45-60 degrees. The rest of the time I have found them deeper in 15-45 fow. You need to look for rock piles, reefs, lake bottom changes in composition, road beds & trenches, etc. You also need to look for bait balls with suspended fish near by at that same depth. If you find bait at 20 fow then target 20 foot depths. Some times the easiest way to find them is drifting or trolling with an appropriate depth crankbait or jerk bait while searching for structure or structure changes. Just keep trying until you have some success then you will have an epiphany.

I fixed it for you.

Florida has traditionally been the big bass capital for a long time but Texas is kicking butt for for the last few years. The Texas SAL program is the number one program in the country benefiting the lunker catch rates throughout the state. The current splurge of big bass being caught in Texas reminds me of the Cali heydays.

Sean Rush. Best guide in the state of Florida based on bass caught over 8lbs & submitted to the state. He had 5 bass over 13lbs in his boat last season. Only fishes live bait & mainly guides out of Rodman Reservoir. You must book months in advance. http://floridatrophybass.com/about.php

My boga grip. It not only serves as a full proof scale but using it to immobilize all treble hooked fish prevents me from getting hooked. ? Second place goes to pliers & sunglasses goes for third.

First bass of the season is a new PB. Congrats! Your 2022 fishing season is looking good.

Like Tom suggested it's a lot easier to troll a 10XD than to cast & retrieve it for hours.

Your like me a few years back when my PB smallie was bigger than my largemouth PB. You need to head south to correct that. Go to your profile & change your PB to 6-7 instead of 5-6. Simcoe is your best shot at improving your smallie PB.

Enjoyment!

My problem has been when using my laptop with chrome. Funny thing it hasn't happened in the last few days with no changes to my computer.

Have you tried a popping frog like the spro? I always use popping frogs because they do double duty when fishing the slop or vegetation. Long distance hooksets are a lot easier using braid & like Tom said braid is the only choice for cutting thru vegetation.

That $280 was a lot of money for a rifle in 1960. That's about $2470 in todays dollars.

Tom at our age we don't have to defend our statements or actions because you have earned an exemption. You have always shared your wealth of fishing knowledge openly with all members on BR. Your fishing success has been well documented by articles, pictures & history. You have nothing left to prove. My only advice to you is not to allow your vulnerabilities to dominate your path going forward. You will always have the respect and support of this fishing community. You sir have earned it!

Welcome to BR.

These are what I use for all fluke style baits. I use the 6/0 for mag & super flukes. The 4/0 for most smaller offerings. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Twistlock_Light_Hook/descpage-OTLL.html

And there is the answer from a professional builder.

Of the ones listed I would go with the 2020 Met MGL or if you want a DC the Scorpion DC. You didn't mention the new Bantam which is in the same price range.

Welcome to BR Greg.

That should be fun.

X2 Looks like smoke black & purple flake

Glad you had a good time. You definitely covered a lot of water.

I have been using them since they came out. I'm a sucker for new baits especially jerks. The crack when casting does get my attention first time I cast it even though I know it's coming. It's a great bait to give to a fishing buddy just to watch their reaction.