Choporoz

I suspect that we are not all talking about the same baits. I posted the rod I use for Silver Buddy type lures. MF...(St Croix Rage) though, to me, the rod is my 'slowest F'.....lol. Same rod I use for smaller cranks.

10" Red Shad SKRT Anaconda 5" GP Black Flake Senko 7" Plum SKRT Thumper 7" Scuppernong Reins Swamp Mover 5" Dawn Roboworm 6th Man: GP SKRT Cut-R....if it were a true worm, it would bump Swamp Mover off the list. List subject to change

Rodman at Power Forward

Ok...I'm game, too. Menace horizontal like a crayfish? Or vertical like a small feeding baitfish?

I use 7'1" MF. Same rod I use for smaller cranks and lipless under 1/2 oz. It is important to me to get really good feel of the vibration on the lift...and feel the bite on the fall.

I have gone through the exact same reasoning. I have came to same assessment of my mental state regarding cold water jerkbaits. I can throw a jerkbait with short pauses with no problem. But two casts with really long pauses and I get anxious about the possibility of wasting time in unproductive water. I know full well that my head can be my own worst enemy while fishing.

If your roof rack is rated for the weight, check out the Hullivator. I stole my wife's when I got my Hobie, and absolutely love it. Worth every penny

Anytime, George. I was so frustrated one day last May. Was fishing a bass tournament on Mattawoman and I couldn't keep the snakeheads off. One took a PopMax; another destroyed a Jackhammer....seemed like I spent all day trying to land and release the dang things.

I was thinking someplace more like Tulsa Kayak, than BPS or DSG. I don't know anything about their staff or reputation, but 2 min on their web page leads me to think that it would probably be one of my first stops.

I agree with the advice to demo and/or buy used. Unfortunately, most recent demo events were canceled. If a kayak dealer is close enough (and open), check them out before buying. They may not deal in the sub $400 models you are interested in, but you might learn from the staff, and as important, you can sit in them right there in the shop. Admittedly, I felt a bit funny at first, but I learned a surprising amount about differences that way.

Most (all?) of the email I get from BR comes from mark@bassresource.com. Just curious....who is Mark?

I always have mine tethered to my kayak. Every bass that will be measured or photographed goes on the grips and back in the water while I ready my measuring board, phone, etc. The grips are used on every treble hooked fish even if there won't be pics or measurements. They are also invaluable for handling big cats and snakehead....IF I can get their mouth open wide enough.

Yes. I have no idea where they are now. Hibernating? Lol I am around lots from late spring to early fall, but don't see or catch them ever in the winter.. Maybe @Snakehead Whisperer or @davehave some insight.

I think gloves are a good answer for some. But I respectfully disagree that fish grips are not humane. OP, I like Fish Grips JR. A great alternative is the KastKing brand that is bundled with a very good scale.

Don't miss the LVR Mini. One of my favorites

I don't target them, but I catch plenty. Frogs, chatterbaits and plastics. All in less than 3 FOW. Often at edges of pads and reeds.

Maybe a craw lure that isn't as likely to lose plastic in the fish...like LiveTarget or Dahlberg. Or shallow weed and flutter spoons?

I just figured it was because so many baitfish have a pronounced dot...shad, especially

I was joking. Mike Long is a disgraced cheat who was exposed by an investigative reporter a year or two ago.

@Sphynx, like anything else, it takes practice. Check out the Mike Long tutorials.

My FB feed just pointed to an interesting 'article' (editorial?) from Wired2 which argued that Walters' show will demonstrably change bass fishing, and not just pro tournaments.

I have no sharp shells and very few sharp rocks. However, I do throw a LOT into submerged wood and heavy brush. 3/8+ jigs on both 15# fluoro and 40# braid, often with 15# leader. Less than 3/8 jigs/trig get 30# braid, often with 12# leader.

Absolutely.

I throw them on my bottom contact setups; braid and fluoro. IMO, these fish lighter than their weights. (But that just may be in my head - usually I am evaluating weight of a jig....or a worm weight...and not thinking about the added weight of skirt, trailer, hook, etc.) Keep in mind that you need to be more careful in wood than you might assume at first. They handle grass and pads fine, but I am always surprised at how much I get these hung up in any wood.