Choporoz

Figure out rod and paddle holders, tackle storage. If you use a net, where will you keep it... Consider whether you want an anchor. If so, pole or trolley? Electronics? Flag with light is a must for me. Sit in it in your garage/yard... how do you want tools organized/stowed? Many want rod and paddle leashes first few time out. I like that you say you want to modify it before even getting it wet. There's plenty of folks afraid to put that first hole in theirs. But, there is also a common school of thought that says don't do a whole lot before you fish out of it a few times

Agreed. All of my best fishing memories are from Ontario fly-in camps. Never did Boundary Waters, but if they are still as good as was described decadess ago, I'd put that on list for consideration.

Agreed. I really sat up and took notice after his appearance on BTL a year ago. Amazing interview. He clearly articulated an entirely new (to me) approach to catching bass. Structure, cover, location, etc. are all distant secondary to getting a fast, accurate bead on exactly what the fish want right now.

Last few weeks nearly all my fish that didn't hit a falling flutter spoon have come from the bottom, 26-32 foot. Blade baits hopped in the winter, along with jigging spoons and tail spinners more vertically. In the summer, I generally fish deep horizontally with jigs, jika rig, t-rig; occasionally horizontal with drop shot. I haven't had the need to fizz any (all LMB). None exhibited visible signs of barotrauma, and all were released quickly.

I was there for a week in October 2020 for the Kayak Bass Fishing Nationals. I liked it, but was pretty humbling 3 days of practice in a kayak just wasn't nearly enough for me. Wouldn’t mind getting back down there (for fun) some day.

Nope. Watched three detailed videos. Tried several times. Ended up recommitting to tying best alberto I can. Haven't looked back.

I have completely given up on it. I fish in windy conditions most of the time and I am terrible at controlling light presentations in any wind. In all the years I did fish it, I only remember catching one bass over 3lb. It will put dinks in the boat, no doubt. And lastly, I am rarely in the mindset to be patient enough to fish very light, relatively slow offerings.

Working well now. Ty

Same. Android phone, Chrome browser, cache and cookies cleared. Bottom buttons all cause freeze or don't do anything. Back button will clear freeze, but sometimes takes several taps.

Exactly one bite yesterday. Short hopping blade bait in 30 foot of water. 7.6#

Observations or conclusions? I got little. There were a couple days where I picked up a few on mid depth flats...maybe 10 fow, but most everything still coming from 26-30 foot on the bottom. He shallower bite only last for an hour or so...got to get lucky. Sure wish the shad would get back into giant schools soon. They scattered a couple weeks ago and not very predictable, nor predictive.

Just curious.... why? Straightened on snags with braid? I find stock to be fantastic- I have always lost a vault long before considering replacing hooks But....if I could get my hands in vault blanks, I'd be excited to get hooks for them.

My 18 month old pair broke at temple arm a few months ago. Claim denied...called it normal wear and tear. Sent a coupon instead.

I don't know....I'd say not circular....nor linear. 90s USENET and ICQ had antagonistic morons, too. They just couldn't reach/affect as many weak minds as today's platforms. I've always been pretty full-on libertarian for most things, but I do appreciate some moderation in e-spaces since civility and respect aren't nearly as universal as I think they should be.

Anyone have a hat like this that you recommend? I hate having to choose between knit cap and ball cap on sunny days.

I'll have to try that, also. All my best walls have a lot of wood; I've tended to avoid cranks and use jigs, or jerkbaits kept a little off - in my mind pausing a jerkbait seemed more likely to pry them off the walls. But I probably should try cranking them more

I have been wearing cheap Amazon thermals ($25/set) for 7 or 8 years. As good as any I can remember owning. (Though not as warm as the 60's era down quilted stuff I had growing up 😀)

Glad the game is on Prime since I can't get network channels, but not so glad for the late kickoff. Don't think I've been awake at the end of a late game all year..lol

North of you just a little, I'm following the bait as long as I can. Some recent days the gizzards are already getting well up the creeks. Next day they can vacate to main lake almost completely. They are in big tight schools right now - 2D will get completely blacked out with them. Just getting a spoon down through without snagging is success at times. When they ignore big spoons, they will still hit blades on the bottom. I'm seeing more and more cruisers mid depth off the bait balls, but without FFS, they are elusive. Occasional jerkbait or Arig bite, but I suspect those are going to be more active in next two weeks. Honestly, I am more excited for my comfort than how the bass might react to air temps. Surface temps are still 44 and I don't see that changing a whole lot, but I may be wrong. Some rain would be nice so water can get moving a little. Lakes are down and not much getting pulled through the dams right now. Choke points are always worth checking, but bait is really roaming anywhere lately.

Thanks, Glenn. Good video. I agree that reel speed doesn't really matter for presentation, hookup, or landing. But blade baits will foul, and a fast retrieve is nice when you cast 3/4 of a spool out there and zero vibration on first lift. I like 20# braid to leader for the tightline feedback, but will use flouro at times. I can't really avoid wood most places I fish. It has taken years to get comfortable and confident around wood. I won't throw into the middle of a brush pile, but having wood around will get far more bites. Blade ticking off a lone tree or bush in 25 FOW is money. Plug knocker should be mentioned as vital piece of blade bait fishing gear. Also a brief discussion about freeing snags might be helpful. I know you've done videos on snags, and mentioned it in your winter baits vid, but blade baits are in a snag class by themselves.

3 to 4 layers, knit cap under hood(s), hand warmers in pockets and electric socks. Last year was first time I had electric socks and love them.

Many years ago, after WRB suggested SDJ, I committed to it. One winter evening I sat practicing for an hour or so while watching tv. From that day on, I can tie it in the dark or in rolling swells. It has never failed me for any application including swimbaits, a-rigs, c-rigs, etc.

I'm glad to see this. I really wanted to support them, but didn't have a lot of success with the few Deep Creek baits I've tried. I will revisit.

I have been pleasantly surprised with the War Eagle 7/8, especially purple shad. I have tried a bunch of flutter spoons. Nichols are about all I use now. Sometimes, River2Sea when they are chasing gizzards. @softwateronly, I'm curious how you fish Little Cleos. I have a bunch from my walleye days. Tried them like walleye fishing...sort of just cast and retrieve, trying to maintain what I think is right depth. But they rarely get bit, even when a Panther Martin pulled through same trajectory can get slammed. Is there more dropping, or finessing involved for you?

Vault. I don't modify at all. 1/2 oz vault has accounted for over 50 lmb in just the last 3 days. (Surface temps 43. But nearly all bit off bottom in 26-30 FOW.)