DogBone_384

No, I don't regret buying them. I got the XT DC's on sale and the SLX DC feels really good to me so now sits on my jig rod most of the time.

I've had a couple SLX XT DC's and a SLX DC for a year or so now. They've been solid performers and see regular rotation in my arsenal.

Happy Veteran's Day to all members who served and are currently serving. Thank you. And for all the Marine's out there, Happy Birthday (belated)!

Somewhere in the 30's is my cut off. ^^^ THIS ^^^

HA! I should have watched this before I struck out yesterday!

I took advantage of yesterday's good weather and drove to Cape Cod in search of some late season smallies. I launched around 1030 and gave up around 1630. I covered the whole place, threw everything from jigs to Neds to blade baits and had but a lone smallie follow my jig back to the boat and turn off. I couldn't even manage a jerkbait bite. I spoke to another guy on the lake and he was only catching perch. Water temps were 55.x when I launched and 53.x when I left. Air pressure was 30 and winds were light from the south.

A rubber band is the other way a skirt’s held onto a jig head. They dry out, shift or break, and the skirt falls off. Wire tied jigs last much longer.

Make sure to spend the extra $.30 for a wire tied skirt for any jig or spinnerbaits you order.

Another vote ….

Sounds like most trips I took with @Fishing Rhino and half with @Saltysmalljaws. We’d fish together and Tom would kill it and I’d come up with maybe one or two. Jake is a smallmouth guru. I can’t touch his talent, no matter how hard I try. As far as reports go, I keep it accurate and simple.

A jerkbait’s my usual go-to fall bait, but the way this year’s panned out, I might have to rethink it. Maybe jig or A-rig …. ????

I checked off November yesterday on Cape Cod while working out my Active Target's bugs. I could only manage handful of dink perch and LMB, with the biggest LMB a scale shattering 1.09 pounds, which has been my pattern this year wherever I wet a line. A clown V110 was my most productive bait. I had one BIG SMB follow a Ned back to the boat and turn off, so I know they were there. It was overcast, windy, but mild for November. Air pressure was 29.8 Water temps were 56.x when I launched and 54.x when I left. Overall, 2025 has been a bust. I'm glad it's almost over. I'm going to have to come up with a better plan for 2026. I also want to push members following this thread to get together for a day or two on the water.

I keep my hands warm in the winter with USB/battery powered hand warmers and my Milwaukee M12 heated jacket that has both body and pocket heat elements. I keep a couple hand towels with me to keep them dry.

The Patriots look good this year, but I’m not making any predictions or holding my breath. I’ll be happy if they make the playoffs. Anything after that is a bonus.

You're missing out. Get yourself a few blade baits and head 'over the bridge' to Cape Cod. Stick to small kettles, keep a change of clothes in your truck, and go get some big smallies. Wear your PFD too. You too.... never give up (though wait for the wind & rain to pass). I've caught good smallies on the Cape with @Saltysmalljaws and they will cooperate.

I got back into fishing 12 or so years ago when our daughter was in HS. I fish eastern MA, Cape Cod, and southern NH. There are only a handful of waters I can catch bass in the same spot at the same time of year with any regularity. There are more than a few waters I genuinely STINK at, but keep going back, determined to figure them out. It's these waters that tell me bass, for the most part, do what they want, when they want. I'm sure a small percentage of bass are predictable, but for the majority of them, trying to figure out their seasonal patterns is like trying to figure out teenagers, or my cats. Take your 50+ years of fishing experience and go with what your gut tells you.

I sure hope so. I'm heading out today to iron out some issues with my Active Target. Historically, temps are still in the low 50s for SE Massachusetts. We'll see.

I never have. I just keep trying.

PM sent

I’m an hour-ish from Cape Cod, which froze only once in the last six years. Winterizing my Ranger consists of fresh fluids and new filters sometime in November or December. I don’t get out much from now to next March, but I’m ready if the opportunity presents itself.

Megabass' Vision 110's are the most expensive lure I use successfully. I still think they're 'worth it' even though I've added Rapala PXR Mavrik and Berkely Stunna jerkbaits to the rotation, which work well in my waters.

I threw my waders in my rent-a-dent and 'mozied' down to one of my favorite Plymouth SMB holes. I took one rod, some Neds, Senkos, small paddle tails, and tubes. I managed to beat the skunk with a yellow perch weighing in at just over a pound. Mr. Perch ate a green/orange tube. The only signs of life, other than the perch, was two ducks and some water bugs. I think it's time to get the blade bait box out. My body shop should get my truck back to me in a couple days so I'll be back on the water next week. I've got a couple ponds in Plymouth and Cape Cod I usually leave wondering the same thing....

A Yammy 70 HP drives my tin Ranger. I had a couple Suzuki sport bikes over the decades. They were ‘Toyota’ reliable. I’d look at Suzis if I ever need to repower my boat.

Welcome.

I'm with @FishTank, I use Fluorocarbon on my jerkbait rod. 6# on spinning gear and 10# or 12# on my baitcast rig.