FryDog62

Wondering if anyone has used the Jackall Super Break Blade? I've been looking for something in between the small-bladed EVO mini and the standard bladed jig. Have heard a lot of negatives on the mini jack (blade too large for the smaller sized jig), but someone mentioned the Jackall version which has a blade size in between. Hard to find and expensive, just wondering if anyone has used and if its worth trying?

Mille Lacs would have to take place on the right day since Minnesota is known for a lot of wind. Although people suggest it because they like smallmouth and want to mix up the schedule with a northern destination. Mille Lacs is actually a little smaller than reservoirs on the current/past schedule like Toledo Bend, Santee Cooper, Kentucky Lake, etc. I still think LaCrosse is a much safer destination in a kayak, plus I live rivers

I do think the Feather punches above its weight class, but yeah the Cashion is a more refined (and pricier) offering overall. Action is a little faster with the Phenix if that’s a preference though.

Agreed, I’d love to see it. The Bassmaster Kayak schedule is to be announced this Fall and there is a private FB page where they asked us anglers for our thoughts/preferences on locations. I see Mille Lacs on there a lot. Other northern destinations you hear are LaCrosse and Vermilion. Likeliest IMO is LaCrosse, but I still think it’ll be summer.

It’s a weather thing… they save the northern spots for mid summer in hopes of better weather, and do the spring/fall thing in southern states for warmer temps and hopefully less precipitation. But it’s a crap shoot either way to a certain degree…

I liked both of my Phenix Feather Light and ML rods for BFS. But one broke so I upgraded to the Cashion Icon BF rod. It’s a ML-Fast and works great for Neds. You can choose your length for that rod in 6’8”, 6”10” or 7’2”. I also had the Expride ML for awhile, but did not like the super long handle, and it also just seemed too powerful for a Ned rig. Conversely, I traded off the Dobyns 700 BFS rod. Tip is too light for any (even very light) cover. The Phenix Classic BFS 7’1” Light rod is similar to the Dobyns, but just a little more tip that can handle some light cover better than the Dobyns. Due to how light that rod is I use primarily as a 1/16-1/8th oz hair jig rod. Could work as a Ned rod too, but in more open water with sparse cover. Still liking the Cashion best of the bunch above… they are a little more parabolic but still sensitive. Works well for Neds, but can even serve double duty and cast small BFS cranks (Macbeth 39, Damiki Disco 38 Deep, OSP Tiny Blitz DR) with them too, where I probably wouldn’t have with the Phenix Feather.

You might be surprised at the width of the hitch knots and that is usually what you hear ticking through the guides with an FG knot. Either way, the size difference of the 2 knots (Alberto vs. FG) I think are overblown and the strength of both are excellent. In my book, the tie breaker goes to the Alberto because it is so much easier/quicker to tie.

I packaged up a bunch of lures, plastics, etc a few years ago and sold it as a one-price-for-everything to a high school fishing club. They got a good deal and it cleared out a storage area of my garage in one fell swoop.

This. The extra 2 half hitches at the end make it fool proof and as strong as an FG - just quicker/easier to tie. Of course the hitch knots at the end make it as thick as the FG too. Which is a great misconception - the body of the FG is thin but the hitch knots make it the width of the Alberto and many other knots. All things being equal, I have switched back to the double hitch Alberto from the FG.

HBD Tom !

This, if they are a little bit older rods and you package/ship them together it’s not bad as an Elite member. Trying to sell/ship 3-4 used rods separately on the open market is tougher.

Can try this app which predicts feeding windows amongst other things. There is the basic/free app as well as an upgrade version you pay more for additional features: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1056000899

Sometimes poppers get crushed - like post-spawn smallies on a Canadian Shield lake. Other than that I have better luck with poppers when the water is glassy and the bite is subtle. Your standard walking baits and Ploppers are almost too “in their face.” Times like this, I go with small poppers, even BFS poppers, which seem to out-fish larger offerings.

Thank you. Yes, and Brooks Anderson posts videos of some bigguns too..

God bless Tommy, be in peace..

Since moving from the Midwest to the Southeast, I want to branch out and see if I can find a place to fish for some quality shoal bass. Have heard about the Flint River, but also the Savannah River which is only a couple hours from me. Researching a place to launch my kayak, looks fun.

I only use baitcasting. I too started out with an Expride but actually found the handle too long to impart the action, especially tip-down. Was very annoying/fatiguing. Have since switched to a Medium-Light Fast action Cashion Icon BF rod. The handle length is perfect. Rod comes in 6-8, 6-10 or 7-2. Again, I prefer the tip-down approach since I’m looking down at my screen and go with the 6-8 mostly but I also have a 6-10 if I want two different lures on and ready to go.

Thank you, I'll have to keep looking... best I found was 1/32 at Bass Pro, but haven't checked the other big box stores. Any suggestions/links? TW didn't have anything smaller than 1/16 that I could find...

Anyone ever seen a worm weight lighter than 1/32?

Agreed...

This is one of the reasons I'm shaken a minnow less often - and going with small crank baits that get a pure reaction bite. Catch them off guard before they realize what's going on...

Yes, the last two PB’s for sure. I would think gives them and extra half to full pound?

Tightening the drag and depressing your thumb on the spool technique works great with braid. But do NOT do this with fluorocarbon. Yes, you will get the knot out, but will fracture/damage the line and lead to break offs later.

Nice to see some of the hats still in circulation. We are a hearty bunch!

I wear the Fish Monkey “Free Style” custom fit gloves. First, like a lot of SPF gloves they offer sun protection for my hands. But second, you can cut off fingers to half length or longer/shorter any way you prefer. Ingenious! I cut 9 fingers to the half way point so that I can tie knots, thumb the spool, work the phone, etc. But, I leave my left thumb full length since I use it to lip bass boat side. It protects that finger from getting chewed up. I had a nasty infection on that thumb a couple years ago now it’s fully protected at all times.