Low_Budget_Hooker

I can refer 2 members Flechero- Made me my first freshwater custom rod and I couldn't be happier with it. (pics below) Reelmech, would prefer to build for someone he can fit the rod to in person as opposed to an on-line relationship BOTH do top notch work.

All good points My experience with Kistler: Bought first run magnesium. Epoxy started peeling within days, just a bubble here and a bubble there. Sent it back. Rod replaced immediately, had new one 3 days after original was received in Texas. With that said, I then realized you can have a rod BUILT JUST FOR YOU by a custom rod builder for $200. $189 for a rack rod or $200 for a custom,....no brainer there (for me anyway) I accidentally sent the magnesium overboard 2 days after getting new one back. Replaced it with a custom from Flechero, VERY happy with my decision.

beautiful catch!

LBH - That sticker wasn't made about fishermen. But does apply in a lot of situations though with the thick cover, shallow water, tons of types of vegetation, muck, and FL not having even 1 rock that is native (except limerock). If you worked in construction here in FL where the laws are all much more strict because of the weather (hurricanes, tornados, hail, etc...) you would know what it meant Most things that you build here have to be built to withstand 125 mph winds. With the flood of people that move here every year and get hired to work not having a clue how to build things in FL (and all other states are north of FL). A person gets kind of tired hearing "Up home we do that this way." I wouldn't have a clue about fishing for smallmouth or largemouth up north and would prob bomb out (+ I don't do snow ). So don't take it personal Bro and I still look forward to putting you on a double digit bass. (doing my best to anyway) ;D lol,..I was just messing with ya bro Being in construction, the sticker makes sense. We build roads and build things differently for good reason, we have different climates. I wouldn't expect FL roads to be built with "frost heaves" in mind like we have to do up here,etc... however,... A bass is a bass is a bass, whether she's in Fl, RI, or Croatia. C'mon up, you'll do just fine! CLOSE! You do all of that but also include 2 or 3 baits/techniques for the variable of a changing condition. Yes, they may have 2-3 styles for catching the fish that have been up on the flats that rise out of deep water. Low pressure, cloudy days, the fish have been there. They know this. They also know however, that if the sun pops after a few days of cloudiness that the fish will pull off those flats and shoot for deeper water. They also have a plan for this. It may not be the right one but they do plan ahead. No single angler will stick to a method derived from current conditions if those conditions change. If/when those conditions disappear, so will that specific approach to catching them.

Just a suggestion, if you want to come east for a toothy critter, how about Pike?

But now I am faced with a dilemma,....what next?

Good stuff Craw!

I don't want to rain on your parade because she's a beautiful fish for sure but my guess would be closer to 3.5 to 4.5 lbs. Either way, that's a nice bass right there

I think he thought it was a drastically skinny bass I forgot to actually answer your question. Yes, Male bass DO have testes but they are an internal rather than external organ. "Sexing" a fish often requires an autopsy.

Read here Just a personal "thank you" to all who participated

Wow Risk, I thought we had another squirrel story for sure but you actually did quite well considering "the situation". Different ramps require you to back down to different depths due to angle. With this said, should you travel to another lake or use a different ramp, you may have to back down further or not as much as you did on that ramp. You will learn how much water you'll need to float the boat or cover your trailer. Time cures all. Be careful, be safe, enjoy her and GO CATCH 'EM UP!!

Do the bass in your local pond stand up for what is right? Do they not waiver in the eye of adversity? Do they stand and fight when honor or duty are in crisis? Do they TELL IT LIKE IT IS,.....? If so, they got balls.

I wish MY mom were on the board,... :-/ :'(

The spawn is in full swing up there, I have been getting reports all weekend from Stratosdadri, 3-4 lb fish ALLL day long. He has video of 2 LM's spawning together, very cool. She is spawned out, that is why the tail is all torn up and she is skinny and EATING!! Great fish, if you had gotten her a day or 2 earlier, you'd have a 4 lbr on your hands. Keep fishing that same water, good genetics right there.

Cool Matt! You'll really appreciate doing this later on,.....we relive each season through the videos each winter, great stuff! Does your camera have a "video clip" setting?

I have 3 yr old fireline on 1 reel still. No issues.

save yourself $40 and get a president.

Well, there isn't much choice when dealing with these. I would mount the motor in the rear if that is to be YOUR seat. Transducer can usually be mounted on the trolling motor, if not, mount in rear if that's where YOUR seat will be. Biggest thing with these boats is when (not if) they get a leak along the seam. Check often. The only one I have seen that hasn't developed a leak was given a major silicone treatment along both sides of the seam the day it was purchased. Looks terrible but does not leak.

lol,...when it comes to trick sticks, I don't put much faith in color. During our vacation, I caught 1 fish on each color I had with me just to prove a point. I caught 16 fish that day, using 11 different colors from white to watermelon/pumpkin swirl. Sometimes, the wiggle gets em before they realize it's the "wrong" color

I would PM Randall on this one before trying it. IF you can do it w/o frying anything, you sure won't get far. Buy another batt for motor #2.

Nate, got a few PM's about your cigar,....YES,..it was a CIGAR everybody !!!! :-/ ;D (those mini Kahlua's that cigarlover bought me have been a staple out on the boat this year,lol)(yes cigarlover, .....I bought more,lol)

Way to go Mike!

Good example would be us doing some striper fishing this weekend. I was using a 6'6" med power quantum pro tour and a calcutta 201. NOT the gear for larger stripers. The bigger hits require using the boat as a tool to get the fish in but man is it fun!! One stripped reel seat and a spooled calcutta were the cost though. Sure, lots of fish were caught and sure, it was a blast but the big one is still out there, dragging my line around. (not an ethically responsible thing to do) We were out there for fun, the fish aren't fat enough yet to bring in a good price so it was all about the angling this time. Downsizing for smaller fish works but downsizing for BIGGER fish is just plain old, good American FUN! Just don't complain when the big one gets away, it's a risk you are accepting when fishing like this.

it's simple,....the bass can't read these posts so they don't know that they were supposed to bite a dark bait on a dark day with a slow fall. Badhabit- don't limit yourself by geography. I sure do care what works no matter what part of the country you're from. A bumper sticker like that just makes you look green w/ *** (Being from RI though,....it's understandable ;D ) Needhemp- MANY pro's ABSOLUTELY DO rely on guides and locals to help them learn a lake.

"Most" lakes and ponds in the east have them but it's not like there is a certain lake/pond that is known for better pickerel fishing.