Bluebasser86

These weren't even the real big ones. They drop some DD trout in occasionally. I've caught a few over 6lbs. One or two I caught Friday might have been over 5. I tried to measure the first one and it just went nuts, flopped all over my lap, it was a big male so of course it milted all over. Last time I tried to do any trout measuring for the day.

You get a different vibration from a bait with a split ring vs one directly connected. The direct connect is a sharper/faster vibration that moves in a straight line with little hunting action. The split ring baits have a wider range of motion with the blade, which results in a bigger thump and more hunting action. Personally, the split ring bait puts out the bigger thump that I think mimics a bigger baitfish and gets bigger bites for me. I've fished both styles a lot and the split ring bait has lapped the direct connect bait in the big fish department many times over.

I think I adapt more quickly to what the fish want and spend less time in unproductive water. I had a bad habit of fishing "This spot here that was good to me one time several years ago but hasn't been in a long time but maybe today is the day", instead of going to places I knew would be productive or if they were on points or back of pockets spending too much time fishing my way to those areas instead of just going straight to them. Not getting too caught up in what the fish should be doing and actually paying attention to what they're doing has helped a lot. I'd get caught up fishing history too much and if it didn't work I'd struggle pretty hard at times.

I've tried to get mine to use the livewell but she refuses, then is scared to get out on the shore because of snakes ?‍♂️

The slime rockets were slamming jerkbaits Friday.

I have a 6' 3" Elite Tech that makes a really nice jerkbait rod. I'd use those for jerkbait and topwater also.

I built the ammo can power box that I just set inside my dry storage and remove between trips. It doesn't move around while fishing and I can run my depthfinder off it, charge my GoPro batteries, and my phone at the same time.

Bandits are really durable.

Another vote for the Staysee. Only long billed jerkbait I have much confidence in.

I entered a free, month long kayak fishing tournament open to anyone around the country that runs all month. Figured it would be good practice for me and no risk since it's free. First place is already almost 100" and the only place that gets a prize, but there's a drawing for prizes for those that get a 5 fish limit also, so that was my main goal. Didn't get a limit my first time out at the lake by my house, but even the 4 little ones I got put me in 10th place. I feel like I'm starting to somewhat get the hang of the blade bait thing. Caught several fish with it last week and a few more this week. Turns out you have to actually fish them to catch fish ? Got a real quality clam shell with it also, which felt a lot like a fish on the initial lift. Friday I went back to the same lake I fished with my buddy last week. It was not nearly as nice as the week before. I was harassed by big trout all day. Every time I'd think I had a big bass, it would come up and start thrashing around on the surface. Fun fights, until they got into the kayak, then I just wanted them to come off. I caught 7 or 8, every one was way bigger than the biggest bass I caught on the day (15"), and every one ate a 6th Sense Provoke 106.

Strike King makes a "Phantom Perch". I don't see perch ever, but it doesn't look real "perchy", to me.

Welcome! Plenty of us here appreciate the other fish in our lives as well as our beloved bass. Feel free to share your pictures and stories.

I feel like I'm the only one not ordering from TW for this ?. Mine are packaged up, just need to be picked up.

Welcome!

I see a few of them every year around here, some upwards of 15-20 pounds. They're in the minnow family just like carp are and really only limited to how big they can get by their surroundings and available food supply. I got a decent shot of one on video while I was fishing a local lake from my kayak.

I'll go even cheaper, 7' MH Berkley Lightning Rod Shock. One of the most versatile, cheap rods out there. It'll crank, spinnerbait, T-rig, buzzbait, chatterbait, trap, frog, jig, about whatever you need to do. I've got a couple I use for bank fishing and kayaking for my "do all", rods.

New brakes, spring leafs, and bearings all done a couple months ago ? Mostly just been sitting since I got the new ride though.

I've been using the spinnerbait trailer hooks, they've been good for me.

If you want a bait similar to the 78 pointer with a rattle and weight transfer system to help with casting. I loved the 78, but these have all but replaced them for me. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Duo_Realis_Rozante_77SP_Jerkbait/descpage-DRRZT.html

I carry an extra 10k for everything not attached to the boat in some way (basically electronics, tackle, rods and reels). It adds pennies to my coverage, so yes it's 100% worth it to me if I ever had to use it. My BIL had all of his gear stolen out of his boat in his driveway a few years ago and got it all replaced, thousands of dollars worth of gear. Imagine right now if someone got into your boat and took everything out, how long would it take you to replace it? Worth spending a couple extra dollars a year?

Blue-I'm a LEO for 13+ years Basser-I mainly fish for bass 86-year I was born

It looks like the tail is at about 40.5", but the mouth doesn't look to me like it's all the way to the front of the tape plus the mouth not being closed, so I'd put it right at 40".

Mine was floating rapidly in high 40 degree water.

Air temps aren't that important. Do you know the water temps? Where are you located?

It's my main line I use for jigs/T-rigs in the 15lb.