Choporoz

Last two weeks, they have been in eelgrass, between 3-12 FOW. The eel grass in this lake breaks off when a cicada flits on the surface within a quarter mile. It is a pain to fish. The fish bite only moving lures. So, you need to get that swimbait or spinnerbait bit in first 3 seconds of a retrieve, or its dragging salad. Poppers ok until about 8AM. After that, it's maddening and exciting all at the same time.

I have snagged two in the foot the past few months

I only have two Dobyns rods and I really like both. DX 702 SF - Drop Shot DX 744C - Spinnerbait But, I think you got those ranges covered already.

NC Wildlife Resources Commission: https://www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/Black-Bass-in-North-Carolina/Alabama-Bass "The ultimate result of Alabama Bass introductions is that the original bass species present are replaced to varying extents with smaller, less desirable Alabama Bass through a combination of direct competition and interbreeding. Lakes When introduced into Largemouth Bass fisheries, Alabama Bass affect Largemouth Bass primarily through direct competition and displacement, with the competitive advantage of Alabama Bass being greatest in less productive lakes with higher water clarities. Where Alabama Bass coexist with Largemouth Bass in lakes within their native range, Alabama Bass dominate bass populations in less fertile lakes with clear water, while Largemouth Bass dominate in more productive lakes with murkier water. So far, the same pattern seems to be occurring in North Carolina, with Alabama Bass taking over rapidly in less fertile lakes and spreading more slowly in more productive lakes. As Alabama Bass become established in new lakes across the state, biologists will monitor bass populations to determine if the same relationship between productivity and the extent to which Alabama Bass impact Largemouth Bass populations continues. While Alabama Bass primarily harm Largemouth Bass populations through direct competition, they also interbreed at low levels with Largemouth Bass. Hybridization with Largemouth Bass occurs most often during the early stages of an Alabama Bass invasion when Alabama Bass numbers are still low and it is difficult for Alabama Bass to find other Alabama Bass to spawn with. These Alabama Bass x Largemouth Bass hybrids resemble pure Alabama Bass and often grow much larger than pure Alabama Bass due to their hybrid vigor. As the Alabama Bass population expands, hybridization with Largemouth Bass occurs less frequently and does not impact the overall genetic composition of the Largemouth Bass population. In lakes with Smallmouth Bass or Spotted Bass populations, Alabama Bass primarily harm the original bass populations through interbreeding. While Alabama Bass do not interbreed extensively with Largemouth Bass, they aggressively hybridize with both Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass. Alabama Bass genes begin appearing in populations of Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass shortly after Alabama Bass are introduced. Over time, the proportion of Alabama Bass genes continues to increase, until so few Smallmouth Bass and Spotted Bass genes remain that the fish essentially become pure Alabama Bass."

I know that VA and NC state fisheries officials are concerned. From VA DWR: “In lakes south of Virginia, where the Alabama bass has been released, largemouth bass find their numbers and sizes greatly reduced and the smallmouth bass basically disappear. And that’s a losing trade for Virginia fishermen.” Mike Bednarski, Ph.D., chief of fisheries for DWR, further detailed the harm this species can cause. “Anglers introduced Alabama bass to create fisheries for this species in Virginia—Alabama bass are a popular species to target in their native range and in waters where they have been introduced in Georgia and California,” said Bednarski. “However, these introductions were done without concern for the consequences of establishing populations of these species, and case studies in North Carolina and Georgia clearly demonstrate harm to other basses such as largemouth, smallmouth, and shoal bass.”

https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/extreme-brush-jig-xtr-brs-jig26 The line tie on this is perfect for nasty laydowns

Capitalism sucks, @ABU is overpriced

I have a M Premier. It is very sensitive, but I have been frustrated with the action. It has a very stiff tip, so casting anything in the lower half of lure weight rating is difficult.

All you vertical guys should give it a horizontal try. Comes through brush and laydowns like a champ, cruises effortlessly across top of grass, hops on bottom like a jig, and gets bit every bit as much as vertical.

Couple very good spinning rods came in cheap combos: Cabelas branded many years ago (came with entry level Mitchell reel, I think), and Abu Garcia Max from a couple years ago. The reels were crap, but both rods were surprisingly good.

Such a great reason, though. I grew up fishing for walleye almost exclusively, but have fished for bass exclusivelyfor past 15 years. Yet, I still have a have a hard time explaining it to my Sconnie friends and family.

I don't plan to ever get comfortable with ChatGPT. I am ok with a lot of IT. But I really don't want computers trying to converse. Alexa regularly ticks me off. I am great with lists and links and pics in response to my inquiries....but I don't want sentences. I think it has something to do with feeling like I've been fooled. I generally want interactions with people, and when computers seem to act like they are trying to pass themselves off as people, I get anxious.... Ignore the anthropomorphic descriptions.... it just highlights my angst

I got Walmart and Dicks....BPS about an hour away. One mom and pop place over an hour. I shop online. And I do agree that browsing online is exceedingly painful. If I just had a front end that made TW less painful, I'd be happy.

Stanley makes a dirty water spinnerbait with red-orange blades. I can't buy a bite on it. I have a spinnerbait or two with chartreuse blade... but I honestly think one gold and one silver is nearly always the best answer, no matter the visibility

@Vince, I can relate to much of what you say. I probably fish more than 80-90% of BR members. And rarely does it seem like enough. I, too, really appreciate the long days on the water. And I have learned that one 8 hour day beats three 3-hour days much of the time, for me. So, some weeks, I forego the short, opportunistic trips and take care of other priorities, while at the same time, building up some capital to afford the time and latitude for a long day alone fishing. Sucks to pass up a short trip sometimes, but it pays off in more better long trips

That lake fishes so big, I wouldn't worry too much. The tournament I fished there had over 400 entrants...maybe 450, and there was only one time I recall having to adjust due to someone in an area....and, frankly, he was a bit of an ass

I have not fished any Bassmaster kayak tournaments, so I don't know what their launch restrictions are. I fished KBF National on Guntersville a few years ago, and we were allowed to use any public ramp. Had to be a public launch - guys at 'private' campgrounds had to load up and drive to a ramp. Yes, @gimruis, we were able to load up and move in middle of the day. Good luck, @Koz, it is a pretty intimidating body of water first time in a kayak. Impossible to learn a ton in two days of practice. Sounds like you've been doing some homework already. I went in pretty blind and it showed in my fishing. Just hope there's not serious fog in the mornings. Crossing that lake in a kayak in the fog is one of the scarier things I've done in a kayak.

Same here. I have four Heliums and one Chromium, and unlike the new guy above, I have never had any problems with any of them.

I still use weighted hooks- rage rig. Missed out on any hype for this so far...first heard of Ozark rig for me. This looks a lot different than Rage Rig...assuming that line tie is 90, like it appears. The line tie, along with some weight ahead of it should produce a spiral, tube-like fall, I'd think. A lot different than the glide fall of a weighted swimbait hook, and the mostly straight t-rig fall.

Received...less than 72 hours later. Never ceases to amaze me.

I've known a few very good bass anglers with only one dominant trick. The one's who only throw a jig don't win many (any?) tournaments. But they are rarely outside the top 5. That was always a staple for me on tidal Potomac. I haven't used it in lakes, only because the grass tops never feels consistent enough to get one across. As to the box discussion.... I have a neighbor about five lots down the lake who I would see trolling a few rods out from his pontoon boat. Saw him out a couple early mornings, but never happened to be close enough to talk to him... and never considered he wasn't targeting crappie. I hadn't even known he fished. Come to find out that he's trolling for bass. And doing quite well; couple over five and a number over three this spring. As we talked, it was startling how different we were...he's never stopped to cast, only uses crankbaits, only uses his electronics to follow single depth contour, etc. Just way outside a box that I didn't even know that I was in.

I use YMT / NC Marine. Fortunately, I haven't had to find out if he's a 'very good knowledgeable mechanic/technician.... yet. Not close enough to you, probably.... sorry.... he's close to Hyco, but will make house calls

I bought there a couple days ago when the exchange bumped the other way. Web page prices didn't reflect that day's rate, but I was charged less than what my cart was. So, I assumed that the yen drop was factored when my card was charged.

When I break off on hookset, I am mad at myself. When they get off sometime after a hookset, I generally congratulate the fish.