Choporoz

Bass are as anxious for spring as I am. Surface temp only 46, but they are getting up shallow on sunny afternoons. Blade bait is still getting it done. I don't think I've caught one on anything else for about 3 weeks.

Rage Bug rigged horizontal. Comes through wood and grass best.

I have two casting LMH, one 6' 10" H3 NFC, and one newer 7' 3" (Toray?). The NFC is by far my favorite rod. I use it primarily for 1/8 and 3/16 Texas rigs. The other is a good Keitech rod, but not nearly as sensitive; a bit noodle-y.

I have a DX744 and a previous generation Helium 7'4" MHF. The Helium is far better, IMO. The DX744 is a great spinnerbait rod, but the Helium is a much better bottom contact rod.... for me. That said, I do have one Helium with the newer blanks and I don't think it is as good as the old ones. (That rod is a LMH, though, so it is tough to compare to the two rods mentioned above)

Edit to add that if you google 'vessel view vs smart craft', you may find some good detailed differences on another site

I only heard of Smart Craft earlier today. Looks the same. I have Vessel View. Mine only works in the app; and only when key is in, and only when I have phone signal. I was glad I got it. But, until I have problems with the motor, the only thing it does for me is keep track of hours.

I have sidescan (transom mount) at console, and downscan on the trolling motor. However, my forward unit has a 9" screen. I would really struggle with a 5" screen up front.

Caught a lot of fish with it last month. Mostly around deep brush (25-32 FOW). Fished surprisingly well around wood. Like a big spoon, it is heavy enough to be its own plug knocker. It has crazy gliding action. Hooked probably as many crappie as bass. 38-41 ° surface temps; 7/8 oz Jig Rap; 50# braid; all vertical.

Just curious....why?

Ha! Just one dog and no fence. One very curious and friendly dog. Last year he tried to play with a fawn bedded down in the woods. The mama chased him all the way to our front door. Hilarious sight, those two sprinting down our driveway...she looked ticked!

@TnRiver46, I suppose this means we have to stop feeding the barn cats? Plenty of raccoons and one really fat possum, but this is the first skunk we've had in three years of feeding the cats.

Surface temps up to 46 last few days. Feeding bass between 2 and 16 FOW; with some schools still eating near the bottom close to 20. No idea today, though. I only gaze wistfully at the boat from our hot tub. (I have fished in snow many times, but the older I get, the colder I get)

I have been happy with PartsVu

He still might

As @Mike Lmentioned, the term was used by Steve Parks, and has been in common use by BR members for over a decade. Call it whatever you want. For those that are interested, there's some history and good discussion about the term here:

Skill when I'm winning.....luck when I'm dinking Often, I move. If I'm catching, but not excited about the sizes, I will move. I do think your bait size can be factor, but of course, one of many variables. I have caught large (for me) fish on smaller profiles, but I think most have come on baits that are on the bulkier and/or longer side. Not talking swimbaits. Just generally.

They are moving up quickly. Caught them in 14-17' Friday and Saturday; and 4-13' today. Some may head back down with cold few days coming up. Blade bait is historically my #1 winter bait, but I couldn't buy a blade bait bite all winter. Until today. It was lights out all day fishing blade bait on and near secondary points and nearby flats.....maybe 2 dozen, but few good ones. I'd never considered a blade bait in shallow flats before, but it worked like a champ.

Have you recently checked all your guides with a Q-tip? If you spent better part of a day using it without a problem, then the new line is fine, but a problem was introduced during the day. I can go days without re-tying....or I may need to re-tie a jig several times during a day. 15# INVISX is outstanding line, in my opinion.

I quit carrying a net. Was in the way far more than the value I got from it. In six or seven years of kayak fishing I only know of one tournament fish and one fun fishing bass that I might not have lost if I had used a net.

Last few times out I struggled. I thought I was fishing deep, at least for me. Found out yesterday and today that I wasn't even close, working 17-20'. I had never targeted bass deeper than 25' before, but all my fish the last two days were 26-32'....and very pale. Lol Every fish caught hopping a 7/8 oz War Eagle spoon

Welcome from Roxboro

+1, though most of the time I use Magnum Rage Bug on swing head.

Crankbaits

Rage Bugs In fact, I think the only reason I throw anything else is to justify in my mind the thousands of dollars invested in 'other stuff'

Cassettes certainly carved a strong niche despite the fragility. Sharing music, portability, mix tapes, and recording radio shows like King Biscuit Flower Hour were revolutionary for me. I was very slow to CDs, as I didn't see value over LPs and cassettes, especially since there was no way to record for many years. I was violently opposed to buying music I already had in a different format. Very happy to stream now without paying for replacement albums.