Bluebasser86

Depends what baits you're wanting to fish. Treble hooked baits you'd do fine with that Shock but if you're going to fish a weedless 68 you'll be lucky to ever hook a fish.

I have a few of them and like the bait pretty well. I agree about the hooks, I like how sharp they are but the sizes seem wrong to me so I swapped them out. I haven't had any problems with paint or eyes falling off and I've fished them quite a bit. It's not something I worry about though, I like baits with mojo, they catch more fish.

This is what I'd suggest. I've bought plenty of refurbished reels, but only straight from the manufacturer.

I miss very few on topwaters, and the strikes from smallmouth on topwater are so vicious, plus I can cover a lot more water and fish really shallow more effectively. I'm the opposite, not so much the jerkbaits, but tons of misses on smallmouth with spinnerbaits because of their tendency to ram the bait without opening their mouths. I think one of the biggest things with topwater smallmouth is being able to keep from setting the hook until you feel the fish because they will smash a bait to try to stun it and then come back and eat it really often.

That really is sad. I bet I catch over 50% of my smallmouth every year on topwater. They're much more exciting fish to catch on top than largemouth imo.

Welcome!

Coffey is probably the most sure thing to go catch some fish. La Cygne gives you the best shot at a big fish, and at being skunked. Perry used to fish great in the summer but I haven't been in a couple years. Melvern has been in a down cycle. I'd probably go to La Cygne because I like it, but it doesn't treat many people well during the summer months.

I have 4 Supreme XT's and haven't ever experienced this problem. 14lb braid sounds like maybe Fireline or other fused line since braids don't typically come in 14lb test. If that's the case, those lines can be a little wiry and want to jump off the spool in heavier pound test.

Welcome!

Can't say that I've noticed a huge difference, but I haven't fished it enough to give it a real review yet. This is a 100 size, so in between a 90 and 110 plopper but they aren't as tall as a plopper (at least this size isn't). I do think that maybe the fins tend to act as keels and rudders and help prevent it from rolling like a plopper wants to do as times. Shown with a 110 and 130 for scale I can confirm that it does catch fish though. Looking forward to trying some of the larger sizes and seeing if they offer and different colors to the US than what is currently available overseas.

I have no experience with that rod but you're right on target for what you should be looking for in a rod for fishing one imo. I use a 6' 10" ML/XF rod meant for a drop shot for my Ned rig rod and it works excellent. I have a couple 6' 9" ML/F Vendetta spinning rods that I use for clients on guide trips for Ned rig rods and they work well for it also.

What tackle are you using? Rod/reel/line/hooks? Carp are pretty skittish and can be very difficult to get to take a back and often will reject it quickly if not using the proper equipment. My gear basically equates to what we typically use for dropshot gear, a M or ML rod with 10 or 20 pound braid and an 8lb leader of mono or fluorocarbon with a light slip sinker rig to a small, light hook baited with corn. Carp aren't going to straighten a hook if you set the drag properly, but they will pull the hook or spool you if you're not careful. The one I caught Tuesday I actually sight casted to with corn as it cruised the shallows. They actively take flies if you like flyfishing.

Neat looking fish, looks a lot like a rock bass or google-eye. Looked it up though and it's a different fish entirely, congrats to him.

There's actually at least 1 lake in Kansas with hybrid blue/channels, but I don't think they're naturally occurring. The coloration and potbelly is more that of a blue than a channel. It would be nearly impossible to tell without genetic testing if it was a hybrid though.

Be careful trying to toss back a baby channel cat from your kayak. Really lucky I decided to wear the Crocs Tuesday instead of the flip flops. It's spine is pierced through the shoe, not just stuck in one of the holes.

Remember those not able to be there with their families so you can be there with yours! I'll be watching my boys watch fireworks on Facebook Live tonight.

Money, 50% of the entry goes to the person with the longest overall stringer, 50% of the entry goes to the person with the most species. I'm trying to win 100% of the payout though

6' 10" M/XF LTB Pflueger Supreme XT 30 8lb HI-SEAS Grand Slam fluorocarbon coated copolymer

It's a 2012 Stratos 189 VLO

He's 4.5, will be 5 in December.

This picture from our 4th of July/Birthday party for my Father in Law in a pretty clear picture of why women live longer than men.

This is how I rig my Pit Boss or Menace on all my bladed jigs and it works excellent. I'd put a green pumpkin or sapphire blue trailer on that jig.

About 4.5lb largemouth from Table Rock on a Sooner colored 90 in about 10" of water.

Some days they just aren't eating it. Last time I was fishing one a couple weeks ago I probably had 20 boils, hooked 1 of them. I was able to catch about half the misses on an Ocho throwing it back at the boils though.

I've had several versions of the lightning rods, all have fished well above their price range, I'm sure these will be no different.