FryDog62

The issue with frog hooks, like treble hooks - is that I think is the ball of the Urchin slides down into the hook gap. With dense plastic between the mouth of the fish and the hook point leads to a poor hook up ratio. I like the Trigger Hooks or Dice Rigs that have a cradle or keeper that prevents the ball from sliding down.

We all know that, but how slow…? I spend time between Minnesota, Florida and South Carolina. While in Florida last winter, we had the local fisheries expert talk to our group about largemouth bass, stocking, weeds, etc. He mentioned that largemouth there can get to 5 pounds in as little as 5-7 years. Also, this new strain of Florida largemouth called Titans may grow even faster... Fast forward to this summer, and I'm fishing in Northern Minnesota on an old favorite lake near Longville, MN. I had caught a tagged fish 8 years earlier on this lake - and lo and behold, I catch another one this time around. I measured the fish at 16 7/8 inches and took a picture of the tag and fish, and sent into the DNR. Here is what they came back with: "The tagged Largemouth Bass you caught was initially tagged in 2015 as part of a population estimate. At the time of tagging the fish measured 10.7 inches long. This is the first angler reported capture of this fish." This means that the fish was likely "born" in 2012 and was now 14 years old and not even quite 17 inches in length. It grew a total of 6 inches in the last 11 years where a Florida largemouth strain may have grown to 10 pounds during that time and passed away from old age! The tagged fish I caught 8 years ago measured 19.25 inches. The DNR at that time responded to me then by saying the fish was actually 19 years old and had been caught and recorded 2 other times. That’s about an inch a year over almost 2 decades. This years catch: 8 years ago: This is a nearly 2 decade old Minnesota largemouth... pictured with a 6 decade old man that peaked at 5'10" Medium XFast, and is now 5'9" Moderate-Slow.. 😝

Not sure where you are in Florida, but a friend of mine brought his Lund at Liquid Planet Marine in Clermont just West of Orlando. He said reviews on the prior owners were mixed, but the new owners have been a good experience.

Aluminum, I'd get another Lund Pro-BV Bass 1875. Unbelievable storage and rear seating set up... Glass, I'd be in a Phoenix...

Dang, I knew I bought mine a little too soon before this came out!

I found fish yakkin' up a lot of crayfish parts this week all over the floor of my yak, which let me know they were feeding down in the rocks. Water is very warm in Central Minnesota - so it's that time of season for the Ol' Ball and Chain!

Only 11 for me, but hope to increase that this next year...

Remember that a craw without appendages is basically a Scat lure. Those were all the rage before Strolling and Urchin baits took front center…

Sandals fall off a lot of times when you walk in the water. Plus you can get rocks/pebbles under your heel ~ Crocs are extremely slippery on boat ramps or muddy/silty areas... FROGG TOGG water shoes stay on, don't let rocks in, and have much better traction. Just be sure order 1 size larger as they fit small: https://www.amazon.com/FROGG-TOGGS-Skipper-Mossy-4SK111/dp/B082JD2DRR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CB7259ZTSKF6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.et3_tn-OAyMOjHZWOF30crhmsnM7N_YatVaPCyIOZw4cFkc7yXren472ZUX8I7k6RQ68FKQ-Y8N4QgIAZltJMIYtAJexRmtjER8mnw7e7Q8PwRg_5Vw2R8DyzaIY4ysr45JFiKq2EFd5giHdpEonB0GS0lvht7HcdgclWtb0ZfzLHYdSA7NrEpvl_l_iaf5ep0yqn66Wa7l6R5xtQMgZhhxPgHnnqIo2WHxHKHLifyzYho1KeIthgYoaUPJULOP63FgT61thDzMexubSZw7zJ-hlk1HX8Rkfu8XSupzTFXA.yXySoxHeNGUZxHI5uA7zX5QJlX2Oj233FxHF-VblaOU&dib_tag=se&keywords=frogg%2Btogg%2Bshoes&qid=1783112986&sprefix=frog%2Btogg%2Bshoe%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1&th=1&psc=1

Gerber all the way for me - the serrated edge locks in on the braid and cuts it so cleanly. They are more expensive but last 3+ times longer than any other scissor I've used previously...

I caught my PB largemouth on a Fogy bladed jig, and flippin the Brush Jigs into cover is unparalleled 👍

I asked the same question of myself 10 years ago - I tried many flukes including the Zoom and eventually switched to the 5 inch Caffeine Shad. The bubble tail is a game-changer. Yes, you can twitch/retrieve it like any fluke, but also if you just cast it out on semi-slack line for 3-5 seconds, It swims and changes directions and spirals on its own if you rig it with a 4/0 Owner Twistlock LIGHT 3/32 oz hook. Twitch it again to repeat the same action as it sinks further. A regular EWG hook doesn't do it justice. Its a killer presentation along a weed line, and maybe the best skipping lure I've ever used...

If you look at the handle length measurements that Tacklewarehouse uses - those 2 Expride models have 15 inch handles, whereas most other rods that are jerkbait or finesse baitcasting rods are 13-14 inch handles. They rub, and bang off your forearm, hoodie, etc all day. I found it very aggravating and fatiguing. Switched to other similar rods of other brands at 13 inches and they are a dream to work a lure all day.

I should also add that I have or have had 2 other rods in the general "Medium-Light" realm: *Destroyer Evoluzion "North Wall" described as a "Light+" which is pretty accurate. It is lighter than what I expect an ML to be but does have a little more backbone than the previously mentioned Phenix Feather ML. *Expride 7'2" Medium Light. Definitely not a BFS rod and pretty spot-on for what I see as the right action for a true ML casting rod. However, its fatal flaw (like the 6'10" Expride jerkbait rod) is the unwieldily loooong handle. Crazy design flaw in these two rods that are made either for jerking or finessly working a lure. The extra long handle mitigates 2 rods that are otherwise great power/action. Got rid of them both!

The two ML casting rods that I have feel very different from each other. Phenix Feather ML is a light BFS rod. ALX also makes two “Medium-Light+” rods - one at 6’8” called the Twitch, and the 7’2” they call the Splittail. Both rods feel almost like a true Medium to me, but are good rods for things like soft plastic jerkbaits.

The color that incorporates the Greens, Blues and Purples (pretty much works in any water clarity/stain) is Yum Dinger "Elder's Magic." It's a killer color, the picture doesn't do it justice. As stated above by JonB2 and CDMTJagr, the subtle mixture of Purple is the secret sauce ~

Glenn's latest post about June is spot on. The bite was slow until I switched to a 1/16 ounce, 4 inch wacky worm on 6 lb line and BFS. The 5 inch was getting nipped at, but not bit... It's been a looooong 7 month layoff from fishing, and today felt REALLY good!

Sssshhhh...

For all the above reasons - my urchin fishing in Minnesota are the cheaper $7.99 Prickly Pears and a single Reneau Trigger hook or Core Tackle Dice Rig to remove easier if inhaled.

A few years back I ordered 4 glass/composite rods to bend and "fondle" - and the winner was the Alpha Angler Chatterbound. Lighter, thinner than the others. Keeps fish pinned. No second thoughts at all, highly recommend it. 17 lb Sniper fluorocarbon.

Gonna try to catch a 25 lb bag on one cast…

I’m a fan of AFTCO long sleeve shirts for two reasons: 1) The sleeves are about an inch longer than most shirts. So when you cast, you don’t end up with the one inch gap between your sleeve and your fishing glove. I used to get a zebra-striped sunburn in that one spot. 2) AFTCO shirts seem to last much longer than most other brands. They don’t get stinky, hold up well after several washings over years, not just months. I have some that are well over 5 years and are doing just fine, although sometimes I think I’d look sexier in a new color once in awhile ;)

I’ve actually found bass fishing pretty slow when the carp are active like that. I have had luck catching white bass around carp, but not much for largemouth.

Fluorocarbon has been an acquired taste for me. It took a lot of time. The biggest advantage to me is that it is one main line with a uniform sink rate. Its dense, and it sinks. The "hockey stick" affect of braid to leader (braid floats, FC sinks) is a problem getting your lure to the right depth, detecting bites on the way down, and setting the hook without slack. Fluorocarbon also "slithers" through cover better and is quieter than braid, and I do notice on pressured waters that this makes a big difference at times.

I fished without my Fish Monkey gloves today and it felt weird without them. I prefer the Free Style custom fit gloves that you can cut the fingers to any length you want. I cut 9 back but leave the left thumb in tact so I avoid getting "bass thumb."