camman

Crankbait: LC 1.5 Jerkbait: Jackall Squadminnow Topwater: RI Vixen Soft Plastic: Senko

Yes IMO an absolutely a necessity for both a chatterbait, jig, and swim jig. I think it helps create the bait profile as well as provides additional action. Now on a chatterbait I don’t think the skirt is a necessity and have thrown one before with no skirt but a trailer

When I ended up going back to grad school years ago, I moved everything back to my parents house. After graduation I moved to Northern California got married and moved my stuff from their house. Probably 7-8 years later I was back visiting and they had found around 6-8 rod/reel combos and a bag of terminal tackle I had completely forgotten about. I’ve twice found packages of tackle that I ordered from Tacklewarehouse that had arrived and been put aside and never opened. One I found almost 8 months after it was delivered. I also will think I’m out of a specific bait/tackle and buy some more only to find a bunch of them a few weeks later

I think they really upped the game of other crankbait manufacturers which have in turned increased competition and options in the market

i use norman speed clips on my crankbaits only. I direct tie everything else (jerkbaits, frogs, spinnerbaits, jigs, etc)

For me it really comes down to the depth I’m trying to achieve. If I can get to the desired depth with 12lb or even heavier I’ll use it. If I can’t I’ll drop to 10lb. While I don’t have wipers I have hooked some large stripers which have certainly given me a run for my money. Lowest I’ve gone has been 8lb to hit a depth with a smaller profile bait

Bladed jig, square bill, frog, senko

I also use the Tactical Bassin heads along with the Strike King Squadron heads as well on the small Keitechs

agreed with the line settling down it looks overfilled now which will only cause more problems for you. I'd take off maybe 10-20 yards or so to reduce it down. Head to the lake and put something heavy on and throw it as far as you can...if you have a boat just drop the line behind you as you are moving. Wind it up again on the spool tight and let it sit for a week or so and the line memory should follow the spool. Also the KVD line conditioner is another option and works pretty well

I use this to hold my lure making components (clevis, small swivels, beads) and works great. I'd worry about its durability if you are constantly opening the boxes or banging around, they don't seem that strong. I also have some of the Gamakatsu G-Boxes and they are nice but the lid doesn't seal well enough to prevent small hooks from moving. I use the Bass Mafia coffin and have had no issues with stuff moving. I've dropped it a few times accidentally and everything stayed in the right place. The one knock for the Bass Mafia box was it only came in the 3700 size (outside of the Ice Box), I'm intrigued with the 3500 size of the Plano edge box

when I first got my boat I used tarps to cover it as its parked on the side of my house. As mentioned above if you go the tarp route, get a thicker/commercial grade one and will save you some trouble in the long run. I ended up moving away from a tarp and ended up shifting to a cover. I found that a cover (one of the universal fit ones) was easier to put on and take off the boat which was nice as I use it maybe ever 2 weeks. I also run a section of rope between my front/back seat posts which lets the rain drain straight off.

sorry no update from this year, I was there last year during this time...well earlier in July. Fish were all around as long as you avoided the bad algae blooms and found cleaner water. I'd use that as a determining factor on where to launch from.

Another vote for boat buckles I’ve had them for 5 years and no issues

Yup I'd fill the boat up with water and see if you can find the leak. I had an old aluminum which had the same issue. What was interesting is that it depended on how much I ran the big motor would drive how much water I would get in the boat. If I ran the trolling motor it would be relatively dry...I think it was the vibration/bouncing around would cause more water to leak in. Once I found it and sealed it, it was dry.

yup done it a number of times on all my kayaks with stainless steel hardware, granted its been all above the waterline so never had leaks and I never sealed them with anythign

Rod socks and lure wraps are key. I also used some old velcro strips and a shoulder strap from an old work bag and made a similar carrier which works great.

Considering you've stuck with your reel for 6 years now, spend the extra $ and get the SV. Its a better casting reel. Yes as mentioned above if you are throwing big crankbaits, jerkbaits, etc the normal CT will do. But if you ever decide to throw lighter jerkbaits, soft plastics, or throw when its windier out the SV will help reduce backlashes and IMO is a more versatile reel. I'm like most the guys above and have multiple Daiwa reels and again if I had to only use one it would be the SV. Fuego is a great real for the price and I bought one to try. It doesn't cast as far as my Tatula SV/CT's and now is my designated frog reel. I can't comment on the Curado K, but did have a Curado 70 and a Curado I series before and would fish the Tatula's more. I did recently get a Shimano SLX DC model as a gift, but haven't taken it out of the box yet.

The Delta gets crazy on the holidays, I always avoid it. If you get out and fish...go early

If they are more the bait and wait, go for stripers. A lot of people will fish cut anchovies for stripers or catfish. If you want to explore you can take a short drive in the boat to Franks Tract, Mandeville, or Mildred Island area. On the way stop at any good looking spots which will be a ton. I don’t really use my fish finder that much unless I’m trying to find bait balls or stripers. The one thing with the delta is current. Pay attention to the tides as water movement is key for the bite. The frog bite and punch bite are doing really well now. I also always do well using a Crankbait or chatterbait on the rip-rap.

So I’ve heard rumors of smallmouth in Lake Mary but have never seen one caught or swimming. The only place I know that have bass and have caught them before is in the canals around Bishop.

Yeah you should look at exploring the Delta. Lots of places to park and fish. Just use google maps and start looking for areas and drive to check them out. I’ll give you one starting point. Check out Clifton Court Forebay. Free parking and you can walk to your hearts content and fish along the way

Another option is hit up San Diego bay for spotted bay bass

Yup I love throwing them over submerged grass flats. My ideal range is when the grass is maybe 2-4 feet below the surface. I've gone behind guys throwing the usual spinnerbaits/topwaters and caught them. Its crazy sometimes they want them really fast or other times very slow like in the winter. I also will throw the smaller ones like a 78 size pointer when the shad are shallow and catch them.

yup have 1lb spool of 12lb, 15lb, and 20lb izorline xxx. Also a 1KG spool of the 25lb stuff.

G Loomis stopped selling blanks years ago before the NRX rods even came out...so I wouldn't believe it