FryDog62

I fished the C-rig before FFS. I still use it for what Captain Phil said above - to figure out bottom composition especially in deeper water. Then scrape that gravel or chunk rocks until you get the attention of the bigger fish.

I have both a bass boat and kayak and like them equally. A couple differentiators in your decision: 1) If you get a kayak and are used to having good electronics including a trolling motor, go with an Autopilot. Boat control is key and there’s nothing like spot-lock. I would hate kayak fishing if I was always out of position, constantly paddling/peddling while trying to cast, etc. Wind and current can be your enemy. 2) If you like to fish with others, stay with your boat - otherwise you end up buying 2 kayaks.

Seth Feider approves too...

I would actually vote for the Easy Shiner Keitech trailer instead of the FAT. The FAT has good action too, but the thickness does not leave much of a hook gap and can result in a lower hookup percentage, especially if that fish jumps. It's a lot of plastic!

I'm a native of Rochester, MN Darth - it's pretty much river fishing down there - Mississippi, Zumbro, Root, Cannon, etc. Have to travel a ways to find a lake. Rochester is in Olmsted County - one of only 2 counties in the state of 10,000 lakes without a natural lake! As far as seasons go - I like Spring, Summer, Fall for different reasons. However, since getting 360 imaging a few years ago -I'd say finding off shore rock concentrations in late Summer into Fall and scraping the big girls off of them with Carolina Rigs, Football Jigs, Tubes and even Neds has become very fun and productive. As far as winter here goes - it can pound sand. We usually go South from January-April, but are leaving mid-October this year before the curtain comes down for 6 months of frozen Hell!

One of my adult kids got systemic Lyme disease and attacked the digestive system and ended up with SIBO for a couple years. Started taking Kambucha to re-set the gut, it helped a lot - worth looking into.

A bass looks up at the water's surface against the sky which is bright even when cloudy. The contrast of black is undeniable...

Congrats! Yes, sometimes catching largemouth in the salad is more like pulling in "Cousin It !!"

I took a knee on the NFL years ago and you couldn’t pay me to watch a game now. Played baseball through junior college and still enjoy the game a lot. Put me down for a World Series win ?

Dang gravel lizards keep hitting my bass lures..

My favorite lakes here in Minnesota are the ones that have both good largemouth and smallmouth fishing. Today was a good day, especially fishing after last nights electrical storm.… Caught a bunch of fish, most of them small/medium size, but was able to get a 19 inch largemouth and a 20 inch smallmouth. Slow rolling in spinnerbait in 12 feet of water just above the emerging weeds.

It is truly a thing of beauty! No line slap when casting hard, no line twist, and the lure just flies!

Moab when you need something big/loud.

For me, the acid test was finding a BFS rod that could throw a 1/16th oz hair jig, and yet not completely fold around even light cover. The Dobyns BFS rod could throw the hair jig, but I wouldn't want to use it around even the lightest cover. It's not a "bass" BFS rod to me - more of a trout action. It seemed too light to throw a 1/5 oz Ned. The ML Phenix Feather is almost exactly like my old Dobyns 702c. It can bring lures through light cover, but is too stiff to adequately throw a 1/16th oz hair jig. I use mine for heavier Neds (1/5 oz) and lighter Texas-rigs, or jig worms. Sounds like the Goldilocks story, but the Phenix Feather "Light" is best I've found in the middle to do both tasks reasonably well. Sometimes I wished it would load slightly more when casting, but 90% of the time it works great. It can bring a Ned head through some light cover, but I wouldn't want to use it around much more cover than that. A 7'2" to 7'4" version might be perfect to get additional casting distance, and so maybe next I try the Phenix BFS Classic BFS rod, but my concern it is too much like the Dobyns 740 that I returned.

I think the chance of backlash is higher with BFS but I find the casting distance is farther - less line slap. Plus, after 3 wrist surgeries, spinning is out of the equation for me now...

I believe your other Valleyhill is 6'7" - I was thinking something 7'2" to 7'4" to throw the 1/16th hair jigs farther... but maybe the 6'7" loads particularly well?

If I get “Cyphlist” do I need to take Penicillin? Lol… Actually looks like a nice rod - how is it for throwing a 1/16th hair jig? Wondering specifically if the tip loads right to really cast something that light, and if it can pull through a little light cover/weeds without folding? A tough balance to achieve..

Happy 80th Tom!

Consider the "Light" then, its the one I use the most: Phenix Feather Casting Rod 7'1" Light Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Stock Price Qty Fast 4-10lb 1/8-3/8oz 10+Tip Feather A ***/2" In Stock: 5+ $149.00

I have the ML in the Feather line up... use it for heavier Neds, lighter Texas rigs, etc. Works well and I actually prefer the 7'1" length to get longer casting distance when needed.

Goes up to 1/4 oz which is close to 8 grams: Phenix Classic BFS Casting Rod 6'8" Light/X-Fast Action Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Stock Price Qty Extra Fast 4-10lb 3/32-1/4oz 14+Tip Classic BFS Cast A 13" In Stock: 5+ $189.00 Or, this ML from Phenix as well, a little more power (starts at 8 grams), however an inch longer than what you want: Phenix Feather Casting Rod 7'1" Med Lt Taper Line Wt. Lure Wt. Guides Handle Type Handle Length Stock Price Qty Fast 6-12lb 1/4-5/8oz 10+Tip Feather A ***/2" In Stock: 5+ $159.00

I have 2 ALX rods I use for T-rigging… Zolo Dream for 3/16-1/4 oz and ENOX Decoy for 3/8-1/2 oz.

Yes, the original source of Maxscent!

If it’s a 600 yard spool, use the old tennis shoe trick. Works like a charm and no line twist!!

I hear all the elaborate recipes to cook Brussel Sprouts from my friends and family members trying to convince me to try their latest concoction. Basically render it unrecognizable from its original form - with 15 different herbs, spices, garlic, drown in butter, virgin tears, eye of newt, etc. I think to myself - wouldn’t it be the same outcome if you did this to a bunch of cigar butts? Nope, I ain’t changing my position on this one