Bluebasser86

Jerkbaits, ned rigs, and wiggle warts are all trout killers.

I think they died down a little for awhile after the initial rush but these past few years they've been red hot. Now there's bladed jigs specialist like Brett Hite out there and even technique specific rods. B.Hite destroyed the tournament field in an Elite tournament last year with a Chatterbait, then A. Mart won the last Elite with one and they've played a big roll in a couple more in between including producing the heaviest single day weight on Guntersville in the Classic 2 years ago. I'm probably a little biased towards them, but I certainly don't think they've fallen to the wayside. Right now I'd say the Ned Rig is probably one of the biggest buzzwords out there.

I like the wacky jigheads personally.

I'm not sure what does it, but I do know they can vary widely in the same area. I caught these 2 on the same spot a couple cast apart. This first one was one of the blackest smallies I've ever seen.

Nice

Add enough weight to sink it and you can fish it at any depth.

Several new swimbaits out that I want so bad. Talk about killing the wallet though!

My 4 year old niece calls them "AHHH!!" handles

That sucks, I doubt there's much you can do to get rid of the smell other than give it time. I've had some bad experiences like that. Once I had 2 asian carp jump in my boat and fall down behind the batteries. I didn't find them for almost a week after my boat had been sitting in 100 degree heat, the flies buzzing my boat should have been an obvious sign in hind site. Couldn't pick them up, they just fell apart when I tried and as bad as they smelled before, it was 10X worse after I started messing with them. I forgot a half dozen green sunfish in my livewell once after a night of flathead fishing. Just as bad and basically had to stick my face down in the livewell to reach them so I could really enjoy the stench. Glad I don't have a weak stomach.

Some of the scariest lightning strikes I've ever experienced on the water came out of nowhere with no warning other than the sky getting a little darker.

I use to have a flathead catfish in an aquarium. He was 4" long when I found him inside a tire I pulled out of the lake and nearly 3 pounds when I released him back into the lake. It was an awesome fish and an amazing predator. I had to feed him live fish, which he ate a ton of. I also had a softshell turtle about 3" across at the same time. They didn't get along but neither were big enough to do the other much harm. The flathead did slam the turtle into the glass a few times when it tried to burrow under the flathead's log though. I had some baby longnose gar as well. They're eating machines but did not survive well. Green sunfish are probably the easiest to keep but will also find any opening in the top of the tank to jump out. Of course make sure to check that it's legal in your state and remember that you still have to follow length limits, even though you aren't eating them.

You can get reflective tape in different colors from tackle shops. Usually used on spinnerbait blades but you could use it on hardbaits.

Come on up to Kansas, I'll make a believer out of you Another one for me is the Rapala Shadow Rap. I've got several in both shallow and deep versions. They've got one 10" smallmouth to their name between them all, and my sore wrist from fishing them so much with no luck.

Exactly. I haven't seen anybody say anything about him fishing his private pond being "cheating", it's just not as exciting for some guys to watch. If you enjoy watching his show and learn from it, great. It doesn't do it for me.

I've got a Cabela's Super Magnum that I used before I bought my boat. Last time I weighed it, it was something like 86 pounds. The shoulder strap would break blood vessels if I carried it anywhere. Thankfully I didn't do that often.

I'm going to guess it's the leader. A lot of Rapala baits are wood which is easy to effect the action and diving depth.

No idea what the handles are for other than something to hold onto. Sweet new boat though skunked! Seems like all the KC area guys have bought boats in the last 2 years.

I agree with the 10-20lb braid to 8lb fluoro leader for the weighless worm. As for the reel, if you want to stay under 50, Pfluegar Trion. If you can go just a little higher, a Pfluegar President.

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Man, so many baits listed that I have a lot of success with. Crazy how bass will eat a bait in one part of the country but not in another. The BBZ Shad was a huge failure for me, even the wipers and white bass wouldn't touch it.

Coty did most of the important catching, and I missed the 2 bigger fish that I caught, so the footage isn't great, but here's what I got from La Cygne Thursday night.

Thanks A-Jay. She's been enjoying some extra time with her grandson and my dad has a very good paying job, so they're doing fine, but she found out yesterday she got the first job she'd applied for since being laid off so she'll be right back at it shortly.