Chris at Tech

And that's a dink in this place. The record is 16 lbs -- no, I'm not joking! This place doesn't qualify for SC state records based on it being private and managed but they grow them big and angry!

So you didn’t think I’m gonna miss my chance to target some angry saltwater fish just because the frog bite is strong, did you? J I was a little concerned watching the weather for the week, as there were lines of severe storms blowing across the SE and when I saw the caller ID on by mobile show my trusty guide’s name I knew what was coming next. The wind was gonna be a problem to run the beach for bull reds, and that same wind had also muddied up the inshore hotspots as well. The trip was off, crap. On a whim, I tried Plan B to fish a private, sheltered lagoon system that I had fished before. In the past it’s been really hard to get a trip lined up in there so I was not optimistic, but this time the guide had a few openings so I was in! I think this place would really appeal to most of us on here, as it really resembles bass fishing. You’re working baits in trees and other cover that line a narrow lagoon so it’s really very a very familiar style even if you’ve never saltwater fished before. OK, let’s go get some bait and then slay some fish. Bait’s not in spot A, but it’ll be in spot B. Hmmm, it’s weird they’re not here either, let’s try spot C. Wow, that was a lot of work for 8 pogies and that’s not gonna last long. Then the guide remembered that I was a bass fisherman at heart, so we were off to our fishing spot while we rigged up a weightless fluke. It took a little bit to find the spotted seatrout, but we found them! It seemed the same weather which resulted in the cancellation of my inshore/nearshore trip had these lagoon fish fired up so I wasn’t complaining! After the first trout short-striked the bait, the next ~10 bites were all successfully landed including a nice 5+ lb trout, my biggest ever. We were working the same flat over and over, and drifter back to a grass-lined corner where I tossed my bait. Next thing I know, the guide and I both watched a HUGE wake come out of the vegetation towards my bait but he didn’t bite. That could have only been one of the big redfish this place is famous for, but oh well, we’ll get him next time!

…a frog bite. Made another of our typical family pilgrimages over to Hilton Head Island a few weeks back for the kids’ spring break. As usual, I got some rod time in both the freshwater and the salt and I was not disappointed. Hurricane Matthew sure beat up the island a good bit last fall and they’ve made tremendous progress on the cleanup, but one small upside for us fishermen was the addition of some new fallen tree structure to the golf course ponds. This new structure, compounded by the lines of storms which blew through, made for some good fishing conditions for me. I picked up a few fish here and there on a senko, fluke, chatterbait and T-rigged creature but none of those seemed to be setting the world on fire. As the wind was picking up a few hours in advance of a line of severe thunderstorms, I had the epiphany – the frog. Shallow ponds, some muck on the water, shallow bass…why not? My only concern was that I really was not geared up for this. All I had was my Kistler Magnesium 6’9” MH/F casting rod and 30 lb braid but I gave it a whirl anyway. It didn’t take long for the bass to show that they agreed with my decision, but as usual it took me a few bites to calm the nerves long enough to actually get a hook lodged. After 3-4 blowups, I finally got my wits about me and got into a really good rhythm of hook-setting. And they were eating a frog the way we all want them to eat a frog so needless to say I had me some fun. And as luck would have it, I got two different afternoon sessions of a strong, pre-frontal frog bite including by biggest bass yet on the HHI golf course ponds (approximating 4+ lbs). Man, that was fun! Here's a sampling of the action. And here's the saltwater report

I can't see this being a good idea

Don't forget DOA Shrimp and Saltwater Assassin Sea Shads on jigheads

Haven't had a problem with 15 red lb PP bleeding on my Stradics.

What size spinning reel, and what inshore species are you targeting? I think the freshwater fish will be easily handled by this, and the saltwater species will drive combo size and line choice.

Not recommended since fluoro sinks I'd personally do braid with leader for all around

Wait - you guys seriously trying to tell me that buying a bunch of rods and reels is NOT investing? Crap!

Oh reaallllyyyyy.... What lake/subdivision is it? I'm seriously not at all looking for the hook-up - just honestly curious where

Fish my way down the east coast of Florida, and back up the west coast through the panhandle. Alternating between freshwater and saltwater. largemouth, peacocks, reds, trout, snook, jacks, cobia, permit, kingfish, sailfish, tarpon, sailfish, sharks, tuna, snapper, grouper...

Not entirely true... HHI has several parks and dozens of golf courses with freshwater ponds chock full of bass. Problem is that 95%+ of those are inside the plantations (ie private, huge subdivisions), but unfortunately you're not staying in a plantation so your access is hugely diminished. *IF* you do have access to any of the plantations (or get a SC license to fish one of the few parks), then your standard pond baits will fair just fine. Fluke, senkos, frogs, spinnerbaits will all get bit. The ponds are generally pretty mucky or weedy, so be wary fishing with open-hook presentations. For the saltwater, your options are again a bit limited due to being outside a plantation. You can soak bait on the beach and catch whiting, rays, maybe a few small sharks. You can try to fish creek mouths, but time it at 2 hrs before dead low, or 2 hrs before dead high so you're fishing moving water. For the creeks, use Gulp Shrimp, DOA paddle tails, gold spoons, popping corks or bait. If you could swing a guide, I highly recommend one of these guys. First is Off the Hook Charters. Capt Brian is the man on HHI, and I've fished with him more than 30 times. He's got inshore and nearshore covered. Second is Palmetto Lagoon Charters, where you get access to fish the well-managed, private lagoon in Palmetto Dunes plantation. Capt Stacy and Capt Trent are dialed in there, and it really feels like bass fishing -- except the guys that bite are a lot bigger and angrier than largemouth

Where are you staying?

Small swimbaits

I throw jerkbaits including Pointer 78 and 100s on my St Croix Avid 66 MF casting rod. It's got a soft tip that works well for me.

You might have a tackle addition problem when you're on first name basis with the Daiwa parts lady...

I usually do OK with pizza, steak and beer. But my local fish eat bream, threadfin shad, gizzard shad and craws.

Wow -- they make those in kids sizes now?

Anyone on here have hand's on experience with both the new GLX and Kistler H3? Wondering how the 3 power GLX compares to the MH Helium as far as power and action go.

For those of you guys who do your own reel maintenance or parts installation, what tools do you use and where do you get them? Any secrets for disassembly/reassembly while minimizing scratching? Don't worry, @Delaware Valley Tackle -- I'm not looking to cut into your business

Already ordered them 4 hrs ago Along with the black nut retainer and a GLX. You know, because the SV103 was lonely.

Since @rippin-lips is such a negative influence on me, I now have an SV103 that is currently rod-less so I'm considering treating myself to my first Loomis. Loomis seems to rate their rods differently than the Dobyns, Kistler and Daiwa rods I have so wanted to get the advice of those here. In all likelihood, this combo would get the most use with weightless senkos, 1/4 oz and less Texas/Mojo/Rage rigs/jigs and other feel techniques. The cover being fished would run the spectrum from open water, rocky bottom, light grass and around (but not in) stumps. I'd need to stick to the 80x, 84x or 85x models due to rod-locker length restrictions. The floor is yours....

I think I'll just have another donut and watch more fishing shows...

I imagine you're the turd who got the last pair of lefty black bumpers from Tackle Trap too, aren't you?

Jerkbait, jig, lipless crankbait, shakey head