EvanT123

Nice job. Love it when they miss and come back with a vengeance.

I'm fishing the River 95% of the time. Rocky banks, islands, and spillways. Spinnerbaits, topwaters, tubes and flukes.

Thumbs up!!

A had a spool of 12lb big game on a reel for two seasons. The only reason it no longer is on there is I sold the reel. As to why you are going threw so much line? I haven't the slightest idea.

I often anchor around pilings. I don't know if it's illegal but no one has said anything yet. Couple words of advice. Depending on the type of bridge make sure other boaters can see you if they are approaching the bridge. The pilings seem to catch tree logs and other debris. I like to make sure I anchor outside this zone. 1. Fish seem to be there and 2. It can be a real pain if you get your anchor stuck in the debris. Good luck!

I gained a lot of confidence these past two seasons with poppers. I generally start with a walking bait a gunfish being my current favorite and if that is not working switch to the popper. Strangely I have had more success with poppers when it's choppy rather than calm.

3 at most usually 2.

I lost one of those big sammies once. I was reeling in a nice smallmouth and thinking I can't wait to take a pic of this and show my buddy what he's missing. Got it close to the rock I was standing on and snap gone. Lesson learned don't think about taking a pic till the fish is in my hand.

Dragging a tube.

Recently took inventory of all my rods, reels, lure and etc and put it in spreadsheets. I enjoyed doing this and feel it will help me utilize what I already have. Anyways after looking over the spreadsheets it was obvious after 10 years I have sunk a decent amount of coin into this hobby. I decided to call the insurance company and purchase renters insurance. For $12 a month it seems like a decent investment to protect my investment in this sport along with other assets. So is your gear covered? Has anyone ever had to use homeowners or renters insurance to replace stolen or damaged gear?

No much bothers me but two things that do are. 1. Taking bass out of season and 2. Using a cast net to do so.

Way to take the imitative Sam. Glad to hear he survived.

It wouldn't hurt to try a pack of caffeine shad and Ike the jerks. I have two packs of Yamamoto d shads that I can't wait to try. For flukes I like 3 colors. White, Black and Green.

I've looked at many of these reels and there are many of them lol. The biomaster you referenced is basically s stradic fj. The main differences in the biomaster and many of the ci4 variants is shallow spools and a wider range of gear ratios. There might also be an extra bearing here or there. Most likely in the handle or under the spool. The two jdm shimanos that stand out to me from North American versions are the twinpower and vanquish they also command a premium price.

The nice thing about st.croix is they give you the option to build one yourself or have someone build it how you want it.

This is what I was taught when I took a boater safety course last year. That basically it is your duty to help others in need on the waterway. I try and always be mindful of others when on the water and after my first season on the water it has occurred to me that this concept is lost on many. Especially some of those in the personal water craft crowd. Off topic but I was fishing a bridge last year. Standing on the deck in my bright white undershirt when a jet ski'er flew by me. In a no wake zone mind you and gave me a nice spritz. He doubled back and apologized saying he didn't even see me. I thought to myself that's worse than just being an AH. As far as good deeds. I dunno I try and help people when they need it and not be an ass and rush people at the ramp. I'll offer to help if they are alone or look like they are struggling.

Looks sweet. That's a nice light. I would imagine it comes in handy.

I don't think about a pb to much. I know both of mine small and large. Didn't weight them. funny thing they were both caught in about 2 feet of water. One early and one late in the season. The biggest fish I ever caught is always a thrill but not my main focus when out there. Sorry rambled to much in my own thoughts. Seeing fish that other people have caught around here I know my pb's aren't anomalies.

The tip was bad. One has to wonder though if more manufactures used contrasting colors on a blank if you wouldlnt see the same issues on brands accord the board. It's pretty easy to hide imperfections with a black/slate blank, black wraps and a black guide foot.

I'm in the braid with leader camp. My skinny rob Lowe arms can't break the stuff and my butter finger hands can't tie knots with it in the wind. Also spending half my evening untangling treble is not nearly enjoyable as fishing.

Sc3 medium light fast 6'6 or 7'. Your welcome.

I try and not be beholdant to any one size reel. Would I want to throw a 3/8 spinner bait on a 1000 size spinning reel or a 1/8 dropshot on a 200 casting reel? No, but I could do it. I try and match the weight and resistance of the lure to the rod and reel setup I use. Within these parameters there is overlap rather than specificity.

I have experience with fishing the river but don't have any experience catching lol. Hopefully someone will be along to help you out.

I don't really look at it as spending extra money. A more expensive bait might have an action different from a less expensive bait and vice versa. I've decided I have enough plastics at this point and have been slowly expanding my hard bait collection. When I research a bait that might fit my fishing style and environment, I look at what potential hole it may fill in my collection. A recent example for me is the heddon tiny torpedo and broke back rapala. After much reading I decided they are baits that would suit how and where I like to fish. They also have a proven track record. I'm not worried about the hooks or hardware and I won't change them till they are broke. If it was the broke back megabass and lucky craft torpedo at double the price I might have picked them up as well but luckily it's not lol.

I'd say -A/B+. I wouldn't give myself an A because I didn't really get out as much as I would have liked. 2014 highlights. 1. Caught my 2nd biggest fish ever a huge pike. 2. Launched and used my first boat on my own. 3. Beginning to understand how to use a fish finder and starting to understand current breaks and alittle structure. What I'm looking forward to in 2015. 1. See number 3 2014. 2. Installing and learning the trolling motor. 3. Utilizing jerk baits and trolling deeper crank baits.