FryDog62

Well, along those lines (sort of) I have a tradition now of never having a net out and ready in the event someone in my boat hooks a big fish. My dad used to forget and then of course one of us would get a big fish on the line and we’d struggle to locate and unfold the net in time. It would happen all the time to the point it became a running joke. “Where’s the net?” “I don’t know” followed by a smile... So now, in his honor, whenever I go fishing I make sure the net is buried somewhere. Ha, and if I think about the majority of the better fish caught in my boat since his passing it’s usually the first one or two of the day - -

Good topic Gim, we all have bad habits that evolve over time.. My old habit also was to get stuck in my ways - from being fixated on one body of water, to just a couple lures/patterns and even one rod brand (I was too brand loyal). About 7-8 years ago I sold all those rods and found better ones for me, study as much new water, data as possible and force myself to try new lures each year. Some are duds, some are winners, but overall I think it’s really helped to become more versatile. Yes, the bait monkey likes me - My current problem is whenever I’m finesse fishing with a slow retrieve, I unknowingly hold the reel handle too lightly - and then of course get a sudden strike and whiff many times missing the fish. Thinking of getting reel handle grips or duct taping my fingers to the handle lol.

I usually don’t use anything but a rubber bobber stop on a T-rig, but if you feel you need to use something - a hard plastic bead can be just as hard on a knot, especially if it chips. Try these instead: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jethro_Baits_Bump-Itz_Shock_Beads_12_pk/descpage-JBBIZ.html

I have 15 rod tubes in my boat, so I limit myself to 15. I decided if I go over that, I’m probably over-thinking things and I fish better when I keep it simple, straightforward. Like I said, 18 set ups... shoulld be all I really ever need ? Twenty might be nice... Regards, -The Bait Monkey

Best way to eliminate line twist is to use a baitcaster. Unconventional but works!

Caffeine Shads Tubes Wacky Worms VMC Rugby head + Hula Grub Hair Jigs

Gimruis and I fish the same small river here locally... the kind of river you have to cast right at the shoreline to get bit many times. With that experience comes snags and the knowledge of the bank and how to get close without tripping up. Trial and error - ha! Well, long story short on the transporting of the yak - I have both the Boonedox Landing gear for the rear of my kayak, but also a Wilderness cart for the front. Overkill for sure, but I can pull the yak now with 2 fingers on a smooth pathway, and one full hand grip over most bumpy terrain. Trial and error again taught me this lesson!

I have a nice bass boat that I would like to fish all year in, but live in a state where I can only use it about 5 months of the year. Started spending 2-3 months in the winter in Florida on a 400 acre, deep quarry lake that has decent largemouth fishing. As a renter, we aren't allowed to bring a gas motorized boat in - and it would also be a long drive to trailer my boat there and back, therefore I leave it behind. So... I contemplated buying a kayak.. for real. Honestly, I was reluctant to get one and kind of scoffed at those who had them. I thought I would never get one for 2 reasons: 1) You sit too low and it would be too hard on the back, and 2) Lack of boat control - you spend more time positioning than fishing. Last January, I decided I couldn't just sit in our rental next to the water and watch the boats go by and hear about fish being caught. So I bit the bullet and bought a kayak with some hesitancy. After doing a lot of research, I decided to buy an Old Town Autopilot for 2 reasons: 1) it has an electric motor (I haven't used the paddle yet) and 2) because it not only sat up higher, but I could also buy aftermarket seat risers to help take any pressure off my back even more. Have to admit, I'm a bit spoiled from fishing out of my Lund Pro-V Bass... Spot-Lock, 360 Imaging, Livescope, etc. But this kayak has the Spot-Lock and I am taking my Livescope with me this year. I found the boat stable and never felt unsafe. I could stand, and was literally skipping docks in the middle of winter when my fiends back home were ice fishing while sitting on 5 gallon buckets with ear-flap hats, looking like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemon calling each other "Putz." I ended up liking the kayak a lot more than I thought. Its comfortable, fun to fish out of and yes you can get to places others can't. I store it in Florida but have thought numerous times about how I wish I had brought it back with me to Minnesota to fish some smaller rivers around here, or less traveled hike-in lakes. With all the extra pressure since the pandemic I'm getting to the point where I would much prefer fishing less pressured waters. The fishing can be excellent. And I like people, I just don't like crowds. Kayaks can get you to these places. I told a good friend recently that I had the thought of selling my bass boat - and buying 2 decked out fishing kayaks so I can always take someone else... buy a high quality long distance trailer, drive it to-from Florida each year and stop off in Tennessee or Santee Cooper to break up the trip. Pocket the leftover money just for gas! Even maybe sign up for the Bassmaster Kayak tournament trail for 1-2 tournaments a year... Guntersville, Grand Lake.... ...He told me to find a dark room and lie down until I come to my senses and the thought completely leaves my brain... That being said, I have come a long way from a year ago when I said I'd never have one of those silly things ~

This X2

Ha, I’m going from bass boat in the summer to kayak in the winter now. I like both platforms. I think the opportunity with a larger boat is to fish bigger water. That said, a lot of the fish any given day in a larger body of water are off shore. I would personally really struggle without good electronics and a maxed-out trolling motor. I would potentially sacrifice certain things boat and/or gas motor-wise to have a trolling motor that lasts all day long in waves, spot-lock, mapping, and if affordable - Livescope and/or 360 Imaging. Just my .02

2 lures for me: Best, most versatile lure by far, and most 5 lb+ fish in the last 7 years - 5 inch Caffeine Shad on 4/0 3/32nd oz Owner Twistlock Light. Any other hook and its just - Meh... works for LMB and SMB. So easy, even my daughter catches pigs with them... Coming on strong the last couple years is skipping a Grandebass Airtail Rattler rigged Neko style with 1/16 oz weight under docks. Thicker profile worm with floating tail caught me 3 of my 4 biggest fish last year.

The grips are fairly flexible rubber so I’m not sure it would give you enough of a firm spot to rest your index finger on. They do make grips for spinning rods that go over the stem of the reel. That way if you hold the rod with 2 fingers in front of the stem and 2 fingers behind (or 1 and 3) it provides cushion between the fingers. It might provide some additional stability for your wrist since it provides added thickness and maybe a little less “play” that could impact your wrist. They’re not expensive and might be worth a try...

This is a great set up - both the Light and ML Phenix. The other rod that I've had that is a Medium power but fishes like a ML is a Majorcraft Don Iovino 6-10 Medium XF. I prefer all 3 of these rods over a standard Medium power for lighter lures and unweighted plastics.

I don't think they are, I don't even remember they're on anymore... until I switch to a different rod without them, then the bone spur starts to bark again..

I have a bone spur on one of my fingers making the grip against a hard plastic trigger uncomfortable. I now have trigger happy grips on all 15 of my baitcasting rods. I ordered black, very few have even noticed them on my rods...I'm not a bling kinda guy. A couple guys I fish with regularly (that don't have arthritis issues) noticed them and ended up ordering some themselves and really seem to like them too.. so there you go ~

Here’s your answer: Mustad brand KVD triple grip size #4 Ordered..

I can only speak to the Phenix and Dobyns. IMO Dobyns to me is not suitable to bass fishing, more of a trout action. Tip folds when in contact with most any cover. Is overloaded casting a 1/5 oz Ned. Phenix Feather Light is excellent. Have thrown 1/16th oz Marabou hair jigs as well as 1/5 oz Neds, and many lures in between. Can pull through lighter cover when needed (isn't that where bass live?). Have caught up to 5.7 lb largemouth.

Anybody changed out the hooks for this crankbait? What do you recommend? TIA -Fry https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/6th_Sense_Curve_55_Crankbait/descpage-55ADP.html

NedZone worms stand up fairly well, but don’t last as long as TRD’s... they do catch fish for sure..

...it must have been a really "Slow Ride" to fall asleep during a concert... ?

A shot of bourbon, Tylenol PM and a good air conditioner I could probably sleep through a Metallica concert ~

I have fishing buddies - some are engineers, and PhD’s, that read pages of specs and argue over the finer details - I dunno, I just go out and catch more fish than they do..

Been struggling to find the right “flex” for the way I Chatterbait fish too. Think I found 2 that give that little extra time to let the fish fully take the bait, but lock up in the backbone when you set the hook: An all graphite rod with a Moderate-Fast action (more towards Fast) is the iRod 7’2” Bladed Jig rod. Great also for swim jigs, spinnerbaits. Easy price at $150. A composite rod with flex at the tip but not a heavy pool cue the rest of the blank is the Alpha Angler Chatterbound. First composite rod I've seen described as extra fast - unique rod! Great for Spinnerbaits and mid-depth cranks too. Keeps the hard-charging smallies at the boat pinned. $240. If you use braid, I’d recommend the softer tip Alpha Angler to offset the no stretch line, although fluoro is what I use. Fluoro/Co-poly for the iRod. Just my .02

Closest I have used is a 3/16 oz VMC Rugby head. I typically rig with a Hula Grub, but saw Ott Defoe using that same jig with a 3 inch Ned in the Mississippi up North here.

Assuming you used the same braided line and/or leader material. I have seen that make a huge difference...