aceman387

Welcome from another Chicago area angler (south suburb)

I just realized i surpassed the 500 mark. I will have a celebratory guinness for both of us later on after work....lol.

Prayers sent for you topwatersppok.I have never met you but from all the reply's i see i bet your a heck of a nice guy. God bless you and your family.

I thought i read on here somewhere that you get an nrx rod of your choice...lol Congratulations on hitting the 1000 mark. I always enjoy reading your posts. p.s i would buy you a celebratory guinness if you lived around Chicago.

How about using a cooler and mounting some rod holders to the sides of the cooler? You can use the cooler for storage ( anchor,life jackets,tackle storage etc) or food or water or whatever.

I only fish soft plastics and i direct tie almost everything.I will use a swivel when i go weightless with soft plastics to reduce line twist.

You need to sow your mind down.I like to fish after work and sometimes i am mentally tired before heading out which ruins the whole fishing experience for me.I like to take a five minute nap in my truck before going out. Its amazing how a simple little nap can alter a racing mind. Out on the water you can try closing your eyes and doing some deep slow breathing in an out through your nose ,it has to be slow in order for it to alter your mind and your focus (awareness) Other than that, how is your stance on weed...lol.

What a beautiful picture Sam.If thats the view out your front window i'm buying the house next door to you.

Only a non-fishermen would make a comment like that to you. Be proud of your achievement because i have found that some of those small ponds like that are highly pressured and have lure conditioned fish which makes your big bass catch an even bigger accomplishment.

I have an old friend who likes to put his soft plastics in a zip lock bag with bacon the night before we go fishing. He seems to think it helps his catch rate.I am not so sure it does.I have noticed that I get hungry quicker when I go fishing with him...lol.

I would try throwing a swim bait ,fluke,white swim jig or a white spinnerbait.

I have only tried the 832 once and it was a little stiffer than what i usually use (reg power pro) but it got more pliable with use.I have nothing negative to say about the line.

Rope and magnet ?When i was a kid i bought this large magnet that i used to use for throwing off bridges and pulling back in with rope to see what i could pull out of the water.I pulled out a rod and reel on occasion along with a pistol once.

I usually go the dollar store quality when it comes to pliers.I pitch them at the end of the year and i buy a new pair in the spring.

I love fishing in the fall.I usually go out with two rods in my kayak. During the fall i will have a faster moving lure like a white spinnerbait or white swim jig on one rod and a my favorite jig (5/16 oz black & blue jig with trailer) on the other rod for a slow presentation.

It wont suck, you will have a ton of fun with it.

I always stop and chat with other fishermen.I enjoy talking to people almost as much as i do fishing,everybody has a story or stories about their life which i love hearing.

I forgot to mention the drop shot with either a small robo worm or a shad shape worm.

It would be a lot easier if you could find an old trolling motor and take the top and bottom off it and you would have the shaft and the clamp to make a rudder out of. The clamp is especially helpful. If your not in a hurry i would try garage sales or craigslist for an old motor. Have you looked on you tube? maybe someone has a video on a homemade rudder.

I bought a box of 832 a couple months ago because walmart was out of the regular power pro in the 10# size.i personally don't notice much difference between the two except the 832 was a few dollars more a spool.I have to admit i am not too anal when it comes to things like fishing line so for me i am happy with using the cheaper power pro.

I have a pond prowler and a kayak and i haven't used the pond prowler for a couple years since buying my kayak.I take my days off from work during the week to avoid the masses on the water during the weekends so i solo it most of the time,I think for you the pond prowler would be the way to go since you like fishing with a friend.I like my pond prowler but i prefer the simplicity and stealth of being in a kayak and not having to drag motors,batteries around. If you go the pond prowler route look on craigslist for some used ones,sometimes you see some cheap ones on there.

I fish a lot of clear strip pits and i have the best luck with a 4' wacky rigged yum dinger in watermelon color.I would pick up some yamamoto shad shape worm and rig them weightless on a 1/0 ewg hook and toss the around the weeds and let them float down slowly.I like using a 2" or 3" watermelon colored grub on a 1/8 oz jig head and toss them out and swim them back.I have caught numerous bass on black & blue jigs also.I use 10# power pro line in the moss green color for line.

I would try using a texas rigged robo worm rigged weightless or a yamaoto shad shape worm texas rigged weightless.

I caught my personal best (24" over 7lbs ) on a 7 ft lite powered eyecon rod. I love finesse fishing and this rod is perfect for flinging lighter baits.

I fish a lot of clear strip mine pits and my favorite jig I use in the pits is a 5/16 black & blue jig with a zoom u vibe trailer (black & blue colored also).