Spankey

They can make things easier at times. I’m just not a fan at all using them on jerkbaits, countdowns, floaters and stuff like that.

Shimano reel prices went up slightly also. Knew that with the preorder. But I hope you like your new reel.

Up north I don’t have much of a winter or dead of winter bass fishing season. But from beginning to end of my season (river and lake) I use the DT’s and Shad Raps. I’m one that uses a jerkbait or countdown the same as a crankbait also. Confidence is most important. Believing is important. Getting bit will come.

Rapala Skitter Prop.

Had a real short list this holiday for bait and tackle stuff. But they came through, new version of the Shimano NASCI and a handful of new Max Scent baits. I believe in Berkley soft plastics. Have since the 80’s when they first made the scene. But I’m still on the fence for the last few years about the Max Scent baits. Overall I think the original Power plastics work better but on a real tuff bite day it seems the Max Scent will get the bite. Durability of the Max Scent is not as good but I’m hooked on using them now.

I’m pretty much old school also on the river. Worms, tubes, grubs, DT’s, Shad Raps, Bombers and Bandits. Basically the same things I use in the spring and summer. I’ll step my sizes up slightly. For the most part I’m not a big fan of patterns in blue but through the years blue has been a good fall producer in clear fall water. But don’t overlook spinnerbaits or in-line type spinners. Count downs or jerkbaits. If you are feeling good about a bait, throw it.

Guys and Gals have a great upcoming 2026 season. I hope you break your personal bests, have success with new baits, and explore a few new spots. Do all of this safely. I want to apologize for sort of falling off the face of the earth for a bit. Had a far less than stellar season this past year due to a shoulder surgery. Was not able to use it. Was able to salvage late summer and fall season though. Missing dang near a full season killed me. I’m use to working on things, hunting and clay shooting. It all came to a screeching halt. It affects you both physically and mentally some. To a degree. My shoulder continues to be somewhat of an issue. But I won’t miss a beat for 2026. Was able to work with the grandkids and get them out pretty often. Was tuff to coming on when I felt like I couldn’t contribute. Hopefully that’s behind me. This sight is full of talent. Full of useful info for a newbie or a seasoned person in a slump. Have a great season. Catch that big one.

Thanks for the tip on those EWG Hooks with those type of keepers on them. This past week I fished the Pro Crawz some but done it Texas with a bullet weight both pegged and unpegged. I was drawing bass hits but couldn’t get the big bite. I switched to the TRD Craw and Zoom Craw rigged weedless on a jig head and caught a few fish. I’ll be fishing them again this week but with weighted hooks and jig head set up. Will keep me more compact.

Well the Little Rascals does have of part of it. Was told I was like that kid. But when I was young (grade school type age), the guys that were older than us use to let us hang out with them. They would call me that but that is not quite what they were referring to. I won’t go into it any further than saying that because I don’t want to get thrown of the site. Being called that never bothered me. Could have been called a lot worse. Yes, that tidal can be scary. But scary can be a good thing. Can keep you safe. Philly is tidal and I’ve fished inside the city limits. Yes I was scared. Caught both largemouth and smallmouths. There is a lot of structure but in the form of industry along it. I could be wrong but I think the fishing for striper bass is more popular down there.

I have not tried to bass fish yet on the Sassafras River. I’d heard from a local down there that the bass fishing and striper fishing was pretty decent on it. I was told there were a few marinas and ramp locations on it. Most likely fee type ramps but that’s ok. I have to get in and out. I would want to fish it for a couple of days, at least 1 1/2 days. Would need to be an overnighter, need to do the research and layout a good plan.

Good luck with the recovery. Looks like you are getting back on track. Though most likely are circumstances are/were different I know where you are coming from. Year from heck this year. I’ve been back at it since the end of July, had to jump back into it in spite of what some are thinking. The mental relief alone has me feeling 100% better. Hope you continue to feel better and recover fine. Be safe and good fishing.

For the most part I use Rapala tools. I’m set up decently for myself in the front of the boat. And almost as well for a guest or the grandkids in the back. Decent scissors are can be had fairly cheap. Rapala, Cuba’s and a small cuticle scissor from beauty supply are floating around on the deck at all times. Don’t overlook that small cuticle scissor, I use it a lot.

On my transom, on the top edge, on the right and left sides by my motor I have a label that I printed on one of those Brother Printers “Is The Plug In ?”. Pretty hard to miss when unclamping in tiedown straps or removing the motor toter. But anything is possible.

I’ve never done this or tried to do this in my years of fishing. This week I fished the lake, tidal Big D, and the local river. Caught bass at all places and the outings for the most part went ok. Forgot my cooler on the tidal trip. A 7/11 on the way had to work, it was easy in and easy out, worked out well. When I fish tidal it is always at the least a mini roadtrip. Makes for a long day especially with trying to time your arrival with the tides and daylight hours. I've always enjoyed fishing the tidal rivers and it’s my own fault that I never took it upon myself to do more of it. Wish I was lucky enough to live right on the Chickahominy. Have not been down there in handful of years. Overnighters to there, I can’t turn that around in the same day. Same with the Potomac. Upper Chesapeake is a nice one day roadtrip when long daylight hours exist. I won’t get into all the medical bs that held up my season this year. It would still be getting hung up if I listened to the experts but I refuse to be held up and held back any longer. Kicked it off at the end of July and have not looked back. Trying to make up lost time I’ve missed. Can’t be made up. Feel better now than anytime in the last 10 months. This coming season I’m going to layout a few days during longer light days and get down to the Chick again, Potomac and would like to fish the tidal James. The bass will be my target but hope to catch a snakehead somewhere along the line. I don’t care if it is a smaller one. Would like to have that on my list.

Thanks for all the posts. It seems like the log is something some of us have all do. And basically have stop doing for the same reason. If nothing else it is a fun read and to think back to a time that is water long over the dam. Mother Nature ruined the river I one had at my finger tips. It’s still fishable but it will never be what it was. That’s life, there’s no crying in fishing, you move on. In transitioning I stopped keeping it but if truth be known that’s when I should have kept a log. I'm getting older everyday but I can still remember things and can function. Don’t get lost driving to the lake. And I never forget to but the boat plug in. Good Fishing.