22RangerZ520R

I've casted off its little sister, the RM Mother and it was a sickening experience.... If it wasn't in January with mid 40 water temp I would have went swimming after it! I can't imagine casting off a Chaser.

Definitely scratch off KY for the best odds at a 10. I agree with a lot that has already been said above, Chick definitely gets pressured but they're still in there. I know Caleb is guiding with live bait and is doing well with many DD's and I think he had a teener there last year. The DD's are smart and aren't going to just jump in the boat. Have you only been to Chick once? All I can say is keep grinding, it only takes one cast at Chick... I remember my 12lb 8oz PB at Chick back in March of 2017 like it was yesterday. First thing in the morning, sun hadn't even come up over the horizon yet, main lake shell bed. Made a long cast, slow rolling thumping the bottom. Tick, tick, tick tick and then BAM she thumped it. Set the hook and about 30 seconds later she was in the net. It was the ONLY hit I got that day! It only takes one cast! Chick definitely isn't what it was 6-8 years ago, but it still has em'.

God lined up the stars for my annual Michigan smallie trip! I still can't believe what went down... Three 7lb class smallies and two 6lb class smallies made up the 34lb 8oz bag I had the second to last day of the trip!!!!!! I almost had a 2nd 30lb+ bag the same day! Along with the 34lb 8oz bag (listed below), I had another 6lb 8oz, 6lb, 6lb, and two 5lb 4oz, making another 29lb 4oz bag, missing a second dirty 30 of smallies by 12oz!!! Shaking hands and big smiles stuck with me all day as the madness unfolded. I'm definitely spoiled now, and it's going to be hard to top that day (although the very next day which was the last day of my trip, I had 31lb 8oz with another 7lb kicker! That bag included a 7lb, 6lb 8oz, 6lb 6lb, 5lb 8oz). I've had the goal of a 7lb+ smallie for a few years now, and it feels great to see all the time, money, preparation, and mental fortitude pay off! I'm finally a member of the 7lb smallie club × 4 all within 48 hours! For the entire trip I had: (4) 7lb class, (15) 6lb class and (22) 5lb class smallies! The four 7lb class smallies were between 21½"-23"L and 17"-17½"G and all were weighed multiple times with my IGFA certified 15lb Boga Grip. The 34lb 8oz bag consisted of: 1. 7lb 4oz 2. 7lb 4oz 3. 7lb 4. 6lb 8oz 5. 6lb 8oz Can't add many photos on here, got one pic of one 7lb 4oz. More pics on IG - 22RangerZ520R

Thanks, various swimbaits

No, not KY

Ended 2023 with my 6th DD! She went 10lb even, and it's my second DD this month! Don't know that I'll ever catch two DD's in one month ever again, definitely a month to remember! The rush of adrenaline when they hit the net is definitely addictive! All the time, money, mental fortitude, and patience chasing the giants has paid off. It was a great year considering I only went on 4 trips (14 days on the water total). Best 5 for 2023 was 45lb: - 10lb - 10lb - 9lb - (2) 8lb More pics on IG - @22RangerZ520R

Teener largemouth and a 7lb+ smallie

Yes, swimbait. It was over the course of 4 days, not just one.

Had an amazing trip last week and caught my 5th DD at 10lb even! 😁 Also caught a 9lb, three 8lbers and a 7lb (the rest were < 6lb)! The 10lb cleared the water a foot right at the boat, it was a fifht I won't forget! If I did the GoPro/C2C stuff I would have got some awesome footage... I've been focused on hunting trophy bass for about 10 years now and this trip is what makes all the time, money and effort worth it! God blessed me and lined up the stars! More pics on IG - @22RangerZ520R

Seaguar InvisX 20lb & 25lb

Thanks. All are straight fluorocarbon. I have 20lb on two of them and 25lb on the rest.

I have seven matching custom F5 swimbait rods. https://www.instagram.com/p/CAkalsBg5ca9sQyXxPQydk8Y4QGuzBZcyUGcuA0/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/p/CikeLyyOPAWxYiQ5Sy55fWJwzat_YaxAOUNwZk0/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Upgraded my big bait reel arsenal recently to the Calcutta Conquest 400 MD's. I really like the bigger handles and paddles and they're smoother than the 2018 models I had previously!

I have Ionics, two 125ah parallel for cranking and electronics and three 100ah for the Ultrex. Zero issues. Get with Andy/Drewcraft, customer service is top notch.

I have Ionics. Two 125ah parallel for cranking and electronics and three 100ah for the Ultrex. Zero power issues and I can run all my power hungry units (Apex 19 and two Apex 16's with Mega Live and Mega 360) for almost two days straight without charging. Being able to monitor each individual battery on my phone is awesome too.

The double pic is the 7lb 8oz and a 7lb (extra 6th fish)

My best five smallies weren't close to@Dwight Hottle or @A-Jay, outstanding fish gentlemen! I had 29lb for the year. - 6lb - (4) 5lb 12oz More pics on IG @22RangerZ520R

2022 was a good year, my best five for the year went 44lb 8oz. - 10lb - 9lb 4oz - 9lb 4oz - 8lb 8oz - 7lb 8oz My goals for 2023 remain the same, a teener largemouth and a 7lb+ smallie. More pics on IG @22RangerZ520R . Good luck everyone in 2023!

Around 6hrs is the most I do normally one way. I want to make the haul to Ivie, but it's 16hrs one way...

100% facts

I just got my Mega Live back in January and I wouldn't have caught my 4th DD (10lb even) without it. I also had a 9lb 4oz and twin 7lb that same trip back in March, all I watched eat on Live. Humminbird's Live has had many negative reviews online, but it gets the job done for me.... Pics on my IG page - @22RangerZ520R

I'm heading up there soon, I can't freaking wait......

Got the new Stella FK 3000 last week. I didn't think they could get any smoother than my FJ's, but they are! Going to pair them up on Conquest 902S's. Can't wait to get up north and fight sone 5lb+ smallies with them!

I started off at the age of 16 with a Ford Festiva pulling a two man plastic boat, now at 40 I have a 2022 platinum F250 that pulls a 2022 Ranger Z520R. Getting to where you want to be won't happen overnight. Stay focused and invest as much money as possible while you're young, compounding interest is amazing and it has allowed me to be in the financial position I am today. Lots of good advice posted already... Good luck to you and remember the bass don't care what kind of boat you're in!

Sneak peek of my 2022 Ranger Z520R... Still have to do a bunch of rigging before I take delivery. Have to install Ultrex, Apex 19, (2) Apex 16's, Mega 360, Mega Live, BBT mounts, SeaClear harness, (5) X2 31 series AGM's and the black Atlas jackplate. Can't wait.....!