gardnerjigman

6'10"-7' MH H20 Ethos works great and rings it at $40!!

That's what I like to hear!

Don't really see the point in drop shoting. Most of the fish have been coming in less than 4' of water.

Once channel cats get to 5-8lbs they don't have spots anymore. Some lose them around 3lbs even. Blues have more of a round blunt nose, are built like a brick **** house, and are a very distinguished blue/gray. I'd almost guarantee it was a channel.

That is sweet!

Still can't get them to eat a dang jig out there either. Oh well. I also forgot to mention how freaking close I came to losing an eye. Buddy hooked a decent sized small mouth that spit the spook on a last stitch jump as I was leaning down to net it. Spook shot right off my sunglasses and one hook caught my right eyebrow. So thankful I was wearing them still as it was pretty cloudy out. Not just protecting them from the sun fellas.

Yikes...

eh hum.... Jack sent out the invite!!! lol. If only we could get our wives on board!

Wow... I'm stoked when I catch a 17-18" one!

X2 on the walking baits. I've also had great luck on a pearl fluke with a nail weight in the nose. They are mean little critters!

That's sweet buddy! Had it happen on a jerkbait and spook, but never on a single hook rig!!!!!!

Congrats buddy!

Spook, tube, Ned. All you need. If it's been like the last few trips the spook will do all you need. Don't be afraid to throw it when "you arent supposed to".

It was a good trip! Started off slow and weird... Think the boat only caught 2-3 maybe on a 1.0 which is nuts. Spook, tube, and yes, the Ned did most of the work. I probably threw a spook 90% of the day. Almost acted like they were packing up, as we would go several minutes without anything and then catch 5-6 fish on top of each other. North side of the dam was pulling 15" fish and one close to 3 on the Ned. The further south you went you got the typical 5 inch dinks. Did have a huge white crush my spook. He had us all fooled until he got the boat... Heartbreak! So ready for a jerkbait bite. The boat shopping is gonna kick on hard this winter/early spring. Looking for Nitro (The savage model 1994-1998), stratos (1992-2000), and champion (1988-1993 on the champs.) at least 18' with at least a 150. Prefer mercury. Let me know if you guys happen to come across something!!!

Sad Sad day. Powerful video. We will never forget. I was in middle school social studies when they announced it. God Bless America.

No I don't. I've thought about it. Something like Remington's managed recoil buckshot every other one would do the trick. The only reason I don't is because, as state before, the shotgun is my wife's line of defense. We live in a 2 story town-home/duplex... whatever you want to call it. Penetration is a huge factor for me. I have 2 little girls, and the neighbors have 3 young children. If that means she has to pump 5 shots of birds shot into the target to get the job done, so be it. I know nobody else took something they weren't supposed to.

I have a "quick" trip bag that I have loaded at all times. (it's actually the B.A.S.S bag). I usually only take 2-3 rods and base that on what water I'm fishing. Most of the time it's a bladed jig rod, t-rig rod, and top water rod. Other times I replace the top water rod with a shaky head rod. Those things will pretty much always get bit. Don't stress out over it too much. It's supposed to be a fun, enjoyable event. Keep it simple and go catch some fish.

Have you google imaged birdshot wounds? Little more damage than sand. I also don't know of many locations in a home where your target is going to be more than 10 yards away via hallway, stairway, whatever it may be. It may not kill the target, but it's dang sure gonna make them step back and reconsider at the very least. I think we will have to agree to disagree. I will say that if someone were to break into my house, I will not be grabbing the home defense shotgun, it will be my 45 with staggered loads. However, If I'm not home and something happens, I feel much more confident in my wife picking up the shotgun that will pattern out and almost guaranteed to hit it's target versus her frantically emptying a clip and not even touching the person... no thanks.

I wouldn't say it's the dumbest thing. You could use a bat, knife... nothing at all. Birdshot will do the trick. I suppose if your idea of home defense is pull the trigger then access the situation it may be hazardous to you. My wife and I aren't in that line of thinking. The gun will be emptied and if need be the gun will then be used as a billy club. Period.

Mine is spooled with 20# Power pro super slick. I've also recently started using straight braid for shaky heads, wacky rigs etc. You can really get a good hook set and it hasn't affected the amount of bites I get at all.

I think you are right.... Did they also introduce Fire & Ice?

Good job Rhino! There is nothing like putting new fisherman on fish. Every catch is special at that point, weather it be a kid catching a 5lber or an elderly catching a dink, there is nothing quite like bringing people to the outdoors.

For real! Only thing I throw tubes for around here are smallies and those mean little suckers can straight up destroy a tube! Gonna have to look into these... I'm loving the idea of the rattle pocket aslo...

Perfect. They are fairly easy to install as well. Had to do it on my last boat with a 175 mariner

For what you are wanting to do aluminum is the only way to go. Will lighten your "planned weight" a ton and last forever. I would also foam under the decks to give it added stabilization. You need to pay attention to what that coast guard sticker says, cause just like Blue said in the first post, the fact of it floating doesn't matter when you are getting that ticket...