FryDog62

What do you call an elephant that doesn’t matter? ”Irrelephant”

I transitioned from bass boat to kayak. I had the electronics on the boat so it was too much to take a step back without Livescope and 360 Imaging. These things are invaluable if you fish new water which is about all I’ve done for two years now.

More prevalent in calm waters or if I engage spot-lock before I come to a full stop.

Ultrex in the bass boat, Autopilot in the Old Town kayak…

Spot-lock is awesome - in both my bass boat and kayak. Except one thing - the noise when the heads spins, establishes position, again and again. Big fish are smart fish and have been caught before, some many times, but less so as they get older smarter and bigger. They get conditioned to many things when they get caught. I would bet the bigger ones have all heard the Spot-lock sound and whining of the trolling motor steering and we are at a disadvantage to catch the biggest and best the more that motor engages.

When you tie the two hitch knots at the end of the FG knot, it ends up the same thickness as the Alberto Knot. So just tie the Alberto knot in a fraction of the time and go.

Warm summer weekends and any holidays - head to the smaller rivers for less chaos and better fishing👍

Both are good, but a scat lure will fall faster to the bottom and you can drag/pop it along the bottom and cover the lower half of the column quicker.

In that price range, I'm a fan of the Phenix Classic over the Dobyns BFS rod. Both have pretty fast tips, so if you want something in a ML that is slightly more moderate-fast action, the 6'10" Cashion Element is a nice rod in your budget. I can throw Neds with it, but also small BFS crankbaits/trebles.

Yes, I only use the EWG if necessary (fatter plastic). Hook up ratio is better with standard worm hook.

True, but if they were sponsored by a braid-only line manufacturer they’d probably stop tying leaders.. lol.

I have had a couple occurrences using straight braid for smallmouth and walleyes, where the guys using braid only got terribly out-fished by the guys using fluorocarbon leaders. Same boat, same casts, same lures. So I think it can make a difference there at times, so I still tie leaders on. For largemouth though, I really don’t think it makes much of a difference…

I think slow rolling a spinnerbait is one of the most effective presentations there is. I start with a 1/2 oz but when I have to wait over 5 seconds for the spinnerbait to get down to the right depth I bump up to 3/4 oz.

Best conditions are post-spawn.. summer into Fall on flats, gravel, smaller marble to volleyball sized rocks, tapering points, ledges… any hard bottom without a lot of weeds. I typically target 7-15 fow but many go deeper. Would go to 1 oz weight beyond 15 feet.

Yep, it still works… and at times and certain locations better than anything else. But it is a lot to tie on and an effort to cast. I spend time using more search baits to know the conditions are right for a C-rig before tying on and slinging the old ball and chain. Long points that extend into the water. Gravel bars, rock/rubble flats. Ha, dragging bottom contact lures used to be how we used to “read the bottom” before electronics in the old days. But if you’re unfamiliar with a body of water, or think you have the right conditions for C-rigging, but want to know if anyone is home first before rigging one on… I can cover a lot of water quicker first with a Strike King Jointed Structure Head, or even a football jig. If I knock and they are home, then I try to pick as many off as I can that way. The triangular head is great to feel for rocks, but the point also comes through weeds better than your typical football head. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_Jointed_Structure_Head_2pk/descpage-SKJSH.html?_gl=1*74al8d*_up*MQ..&gclid=CJDT3-2SjNECFZCMaQodOJECzA Once the bite slows down or I want to come back later and target the bigger ones, then I string up the Carolina Rig with a 3/4 oz tungsten weight and chuck a Flying Squirrel. The tails float and undulate really well at rest and between drags. Works better than any C-rig plastic I’ve ever used. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Big_Bite_Baits_Jeff_Kriet_-_Flying_Squirrel_7pk/descpage-BBBFSQR.html?_gl=1*21qfda*_up*MQ..&gclid=CJDT3-2SjNECFZCMaQodOJECzA

I agree to get the side imaging version of the Helix 7. Can scan for structure, bait balls, even isolated fish at times. Makes the day on the water much more productive. Here’s a rock pile I found with my Helix 7 MSI from a kayak.

Depending on budget, the Tatula Elite or Tatula 100 will get you most effortless distance, which is important with a shorter 6’6” rod. A spinnerbait is a relatively light, high profile lure like a buzz bait, and a reel that can cast far without over-throwing and backlashing is key. Either in a 6.3 or 7.1… I use a 7.1 and it works fine to slow-roll.

Yes, some adjustments but pretty minimal if you stay in the same lure weight range… Inusually throw between 1/16-1/8 with the occasional 3/32 or maybe a 3/16.

I started off with a 45 lb thrust Minnkota and a Helix 7 fish finder. Two things that were key in those investments: •The Minnkota had spot-lock. Fishing in a kayak in wind or current can be difficult. Holding position with Spot-lock was a game changer and gave me the necessary boat control. Motorguide has their equivalent of Spot-lock as well. •With a Helix 7, you can purchase your state’s mapping card (Lakemaster) and it loads the contours/depths of your lake. Be sure to check first if your lake is included in the Lakemaster chip. Sometimes smaller lakes are not mapped. Knowing depths, contours, drop-offs, underwater points, etc. is very helpful to follow fish patterns. IF you think you would add Livescope or Mega Live later, then you should start out with a 9 inch screen. Otherwise, the 7 works just fine in a kayak.

That’s why I enjoy and decided to take part in some of the pre-spawn tourneys… Takes some serious balance (and a calm day). She might be a good candidate for the new Bonafide XTR130 with an actual front casting bow.

Duh, even I got that despite my pointy little head..

I hear that is good line, but possibly a little thinner diameter. What pound test? Thx

1/2 oz Cavitron - and always always black whether largemouth, smallmouth or any other species. Fish are looking up and no mater how dark/cloudy of a day it is always lighter above. Black has the better contrast and it’s key they see it well for a better hook up ratio.

Mike, if you also use the same rod for 3/8 oz poppers do you still use 30 lb direct tie to braid, or add a mono leader?

What line ya’ll using for 1/2 oz walking topwater lures, and: *If mainline braid, do you also tie a leader? *Or mainline Mono? *Anyone use a loop knot or *Snap *Ring? Pound test, size, brand all appreciated. Thx!